Page 92 of Capture the Moment

Coop tucked the radio back onto his belt and dialed Kate’s number. “Hello there,” he said, smiling. “Still walking on air from last night’s news?” Kate had woken him out of a sound sleep with her news about making the cover ofNational Geographic, and he couldn’t have been more pleased. For her, for him, for 399, for the park. He felt kind of proud that he had helped her get that shot too. But the credit belonged to her. It was a phenomenal photograph and he couldn’t be happier for Kate.

“Honestly, I haven’t come back to earth yet.”

“Where are you now?” he asked as he scanned the horizon for any sign of Blondie or her cub.

“I’m over by Jenny Lake. There’s a bald eagle’s nest that’s as big as a small house.” Her voice sounded alive with excitement.

Coop grinned. He knew that nest well and could imagine theawe in Kate’s eyes as she marveled at it. “Can you break away soon? The chief ranger wants you in her office.”

“Me? Why?” Kate sounded puzzled.

“No idea. She wants me there too,” Coop said. And Frankie, which was really odd.

“Okay. You’ve got my curiosity piqued. I’ll head over.”

As Coop ended the call, Frankie sauntered up to him with a mischievous grin. “Bet you ten bucks that you were talking to Kate. You had a goofy look on your face.”

Coop scowled and adjusted his binoculars to check on Blondie, who had vanished behind the tree line. “Bear jam is breaking up. Hop in the truck and I’ll be there in a minute.”

Twenty minutes later, Coop knocked on Sally’s door and entered to find a distinguished man seated across from her desk. His presence commanded attention, and his sharp gaze swept over Coop before moving on.

“Ranger Cooper,” Sally began, her tone formal, “let me introduce you to Deputy Director Donald Franklin.”

Deputy director? Of the National Park Service? Coop felt a surge of nervousness in the presence of such a high-ranking official. Unsure whether to extend his hand for a shake, he hesitated.

“Where’s my son?” Franklin’s voice cut through the air.

Coop’s mind raced. “Your son? What ... you mean ... Frankie?” It dawned on him suddenly that the deputy director was Frankie’s dad. “He’s ... well, he saw Maisie—she’s a granddaughter of a ranger—and they’re talking. I’m sure he’ll join us in a minute or two.”

Franklin relaxed slightly. “Sounds pretty typical for Frankie to be distracted by a pretty girl.”

Feeling a bit starstruck, Coop stumbled over his words. “I can, um, well, I can go get him.”

“No need.” Franklin reached out to shake Coop’s hand. “Sitdown, Ranger Cooper. I understand you’re the one to thank for the changes in my son.”

Coop slapped a hand against his chest. “Me?”

“I’m sure it’s no secret that Frankie’s been having trouble. He’s been in three boarding schools in less than two years. I can count on one hand the times he’s called me in the last few years. But yesterday, he called me with excitement in his voice. He calledme. He went on and on about the poacher and 399 and hiking in the backcountry and, well, you. He sounded like the boy I remember, the one who loved the great outdoors. I thank you for that.”

“Me?”

“Sounds like you’ve reignited his love of nature.”

“Honestly, sir, he’s always had it. I think he’s just been burying it to hurt you.”

“Cooper!” Sally shot him a warning look.

Coop glanced at Sally. “My apologies. I’ve said too much. During the school year, I’m a high school teacher. I should keep my ranger hat on.”

“No need to apologize. Frankie and I, we’ve had to weather a lot of changes in the last few years.”

“So he’s told me.”

Sally shot Coop a sharp look, then refocused on the deputy director. “Perhaps we should go. The other rangers are gathering out in front of the visitor center.”

“Hold it.” Franklin waved her off. “Go ahead, Ranger. Say what’s on your mind.”

“I think there’s been too much change for Frankie. He likes to sound like a man, but he’s pretty immature.”

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