What line of work was he talking about? He was a firefighter!
She blinked. “Isn’t that the disease that causes calves to abort?” He nodded. “How do you know so much about it?”
“I received my master’s degree in environmental wildlife at the University of Colorado in Boulder. But my technical title is a brucellosis-feed-ground-habitat biologist, and my specific job is to test the elk for the disease. I also work for the fire department here if I’m not up in the mountains tracking elk.”
Tamsin was stunned by what he’d just told her. She was having trouble taking it all in. All this time she’d accused him in her heart of going off to be a famous rodeo celebrity.
“These arsonists want the elk to migrate down the mountains away from the ranches. But the lure of the hay makes it impossible. There’s a group of men so serious about stopping this, they’ve been willing to commit crimes like the one on your property in order to make their point.”
She put a hand to her throat. “Is this happening all over Wyoming?”
“In parts where a ranch that allows elk hunting is located near a range of mountains. As you’ve found out firsthand, these men are endangering the lives of people and horses. After we put out the fire, I looked for you to tell you of the danger when I saw Sally. Her being pregnant makes her even more vulnerable in a situation like this and I’m afraid it’s not going to stop.”
His prediction increased Tamsin’s fear, but she fought not to show it. “I had no idea you’d been in college all this time besides becoming a firefighter. How amazing that you know so much about what has been going on around here. How long have you been back in Whitebark?”
Here she was, asking him questions when she’d promised herself she would never show him the slightest interest. Never again.
“I’d been home five days when I was called out on the fire at your father’s ranch.”
Only five? “Where did you get your firefighter training?”
“In Boulder while I was in graduate school.”
Her eyes widened. “So you did both while you were there.”
“Yes. When I left the ranch nine years ago, I was honoring a promise to my father that was ironclad.”
“What promise was that?”
“There’s a lot you don’t know about the reason I had to leave. A reason my father wouldn’t let anyone know about. Even on his deathbed he swore me to secrecy.”
That revelation only deepened her pain. He didn’t give her an explanation then, and wouldn’t be giving it to her now. “What about your ranch?”
“It’s still here. I’m managing with the help of Sam and Louise. You remember them?”
“Yes.” Of course, she did. But how on earth could he handle everything? All this time she’d thought he’d been with that country singer, planning a new life with her. How wrong could she have been? Or maybe not. Already he’d shot her peace of mind to pieces. Before she left the store, she needed one more bit of information.
“An article about you in the Sublette Gazette a few months ago indicated you were involved with a country singer. Are you—”
“Patsy Janis you mean?” He cut her off. “We did a few records together. She wanted me to stay in Colorado, make records and marry her. But I told her I wanted to go home. I take it you’re involved with the man who threw his arms around you the night of the fire.”
Without thinking, she said the first thing to come into her head. “That was Dean Witcom, Sally’s brother-in-law.”
“And your boyfriend?” After firing the question, he tipped his cowboy hat. With a rakish smile he said, “Be sure to pass on my warning to your father.”
Tamsin smothered a groan as he headed for the front of the store pushing the cart. She waited until he’d checked out before she paid for her groceries. By the time she went out to her car, he’d left. After she got back to the apartment, she was no longer in the mood to watch a movie.
Cole was back and he didn’t want anything from her. Why would he when she’d cut him off a long time ago, believing he didn’t love her enough to stay in Wyoming?
To think he’d become a firefighter and a biologist!
Feeling frustrated and heartsick, she hurried into the bedroom to get her laptop. She set it up on the little kitchen table and began researching brucellosis. That led her to studying about the disease in Wyoming and its history. Never during their time together had he mentioned being interested in biology, let alone fighting fires. He’d been a bull rider for Heaven’s sake!
When she’d exhausted every possible avenue of information on the subject, it was three thirty in the morning. She fell into bed physically exhausted from her move, and emotionally spent over a man who’d left her a long time ago.
He’d returned a man she didn’t recognize. Tamsin didn’t know how long she sobbed before oblivion took over.
Late Saturday morning she awakened to the sound of her phone ringing. She checked the caller ID before answering.
“Hi, Sally.”
“Hey—what’s going on? Mom just told me you moved to an apartment in town.”
Tamsin sat up on the side of the bed. “Yesterday you were sound asleep, so I planned to tell you today.”
“This has to do with Cole, but I don’t know in what way.”
“Why would you say that? I decided I needed more privacy. Getting an apartment will give me a chance to see how I really feel about Dean.”
“Does he even know you’ve moved?”
“No. I’m going to call him this afternoon and tell him my new address. I’m going to make dinner for him.”
“I know why you’re doing this. It’s because of Cole. Admit that if he wants to see you again, he’ll be able to come to your apartment and not the house where he’d be sure to run into Dean.”
“That’s not true, Sally.”
“You’ve been with Cole, haven’t you?”
“No! In fact, last night I bumped into him at the grocery store. He has no interest in me anymore. I’ve moved on and want to concentrate on Dean.”
After a silence Sally said, “I’m sorry for him and you.”
“Why are you saying that? It’s long past time I stopped living in the past. Isn’t that what you’ve always said to me?”
“Yes. Forgive me. You’re absolutely right to do what you’ve done. Being on your own will give you the time you need to see where it’s going with Dean without everyone else being around.”
“Exactly. Thank you for being so understanding. Now enough about me. How are you?”
“I feel all right.”
“You have an appointment with the doctor on Tuesday, right?”
“Yes.”
“Please be careful. Only three more weeks and your baby will be here.”
“I know. I’m going crazy waiting for it to happen.”
“I am, too. I can’t wait to be an aunt. Love you, Sally. Call you tomorrow.”
Once they’d hung up, Tamsin decided to phone Dean and tell him where she’d moved. Over dinner she would explain her feelings. To her relief, he answered his phone rather than it going to voice mail.
“Hey, honey—I was hoping you’d call.”
“I’m