Page 7 of Pining for the Ranger
The stress of the past few days has all but disappeared. The mystery of who I am and what happened to me is no closer to being solved, but out here I know everything will work itself out.
Boone hikes beside me as we make our way up the trail to where he found me only a few days ago. It feels like no time at all has passed since then, but at the same time it has been forever since I woke up not remembering a thing.
There is a vague familiarity of having been here before when he slows down, taking an animal trail toward the river off themain path. We climb through some brush for a hundred feet and then pick our way over boulders to a small beach and clearing.
“This is where I found you. Do you remember this place?”
I study the area around us for a minute before responding. “I remember waking up here with you.”
Pointing to the river’s edge, he notes, “This is where you were, still half in the water.”
Something glints in the sunlight when I scan to where he is pointing. Stepping over some rocks, I crouch down to see what it could be. There in the gravel is a silver necklace with a pendant shaped like mountains.
I gasp when flashes of memories run through my mind like a movie on fast forward. Reaching down, I pick the chain up, noting the broken clasp. I know without a doubt this is mine.
Spinning around laughing, I throw my arms around Boone, who is standing just behind me. “I remember this. My mom gave me this necklace for my sixteenth birthday. Her name was Glenda and my dad was Henry.”
In my exuberance, I reach up and swipe my lips across his. Electricity sparks through me at the touch. My eyes widen when he growls, but when I go to pull back, his arms band around my back, holding me tight. His mouth mashes to mine and my eyes fall closed.
Blood rushes in my head and it feels as if I could float away if not for him holding me close. His tongue teases the seam of my lips and mine open of their own volition, not that I would stop them if I were in my right mind. Something I'm most certainly not at this moment.
Our tongues dance and my nipples pebble, chills running rampant. Whimpers I have no chance of silencing fall from me as he consumes me. My senses overwhelmed by him.
When he finally pulls back, we are both panting. His forehead drops to mine.
Another few moments pass before he breaks the silence, sounding as if he’s in pain. “Please tell me you remember you are single.”
“There’s been no one for the last four years while I’ve been working on my doctorate.”
He leans back, eyes wide. “You’re studying to be a doctor?”
Giggling, I shake my head. “Not medical, wildlife biology.”
“Now that sounds more like it.”
My eyebrows furrow. “Why would you say that?”
His thumb reaches to smooth between my eyebrows. “Because you belong out here. As soon as we got on the trail, I could see all the tension melt away. This is where you are at home.”
Surprise runs through me. “I didn’t realize it was that obvious.”
His shoulder shrugs. “Maybe not to everyone, but I’ve spent quite a bit of time with you the last few days and there’s not much that has escaped my attention when it comes to you.”
I melt into him at his admission. Lord, this man undoes me. Now I know for sure there is no one standing in the way I have no defenses against him.
“So, do you remember everything? What happened to you?”
My lips turn down as I reach for the last memories I should have before he found me. Apparently, those are still out of reach. I shake my head in frustration, heaving a sigh. “No, all I remember is what I’ve dreamed, slipping and falling into the river.”
“How about what you were doing up here? Maybe why no one has reported you missing? Where your stuff might be?”
Another shake of my head. I purse my lips as I recall the last memories I have before Boone found me. “The last memories I have are getting ready for work the week before last.”
“Well, that’s pretty significant. Now the real question. What is your actual name?”
A laugh breaks free at the question. “My name is Laura Wray.”
“Laura, huh?” He says it as if testing the name out. “I suppose I could see you as a Laura, but you might end up always being Ivy to me.” He winks.
