The Replacement Page 3

  “Don’t bother. The wedding’s off,” Eric had said. He stood up so abruptly the chair behind him tipped and crashed to the floor. Those were the last words Lindsey ever heard from him, then or in the four years that followed.

  Yosemite Valley

  Replacement day one, the present

  THE SHEER FACE of Half Dome, Yosemite’s massive rock of granite, reflected the sun’s light downward to the valley. There it bounced against the brightness of the snow and reflected upward again, illuminating everything with brilliant clarity. Lindsey stopped in the snow to adjust her sunglasses and take a breather. She slid her pack off her shoulders absorbing in the beauty of the area.

  Already she’d covered more than half the distance toward the rangers’ winter lodgings. Her flight yesterday had landed smoothly, she’d been met as promised by Jack Hunter—been outfitted in gear, including a radio, and put up in a local motel in Lee Vining for the night. Early this morning, Jack had delivered her via truck and then snowmobile to Yosemite’s rear entrance from the Tuolumne River side. Amid the glittering snow of the high country, Lindsey said goodbye to her superior, and from there skied off toward her old workplace.

  I never realized how much I’ve missed this, she thought to herself. And missed Eric. To Lindsey, Eric and Yosemite were forever linked in her heart. It made her travel easier and faster than she would have supposed possible. Once she made it to the top of the pass, she took another minute to rest.

  Lindsey reached for a trail bar and her thermos of hot chocolate. Since she’d refused to accept and train a new rescue dog after Missy’s death, she’d traded the canine handler spot in Yosemite for the warmer parks in Southern California; it was where she was originally from and where her family still lived. She’d quickly found a new position with the park system, thanks to her surfing and diving skills, and went back to helping her parents around the kennels in her spare time. Being around Eric had been out of the question four years ago. He wouldn’t even see her to take back his ring. She hadn’t wanted to return it, but felt obligated to do so. She’d left it with the former head ranger; Eric hadn’t been awarded that spot until a year after she’d left.

  Now she’d come back to Yosemite—Eric’s home—again. A sad smile crossed her face. With hindsight, she realized she and Eric had more problems than just the death of a dog or the jealousy of a twin. Eric led with his head, she led with her heart, and neither seemed to find any middle ground except in bed. They were young then. Too young, perhaps. They should’ve talked things out—would have talked things out if Naomi had stayed out of it.

  Both of them were close to their siblings. If their situations had been reversed and Kate or Lara had suggested that Eric wasn’t good for her, she would’ve taken their words very seriously, indeed. But she wouldn’t have called off the wedding—that much she knew.

  Lindsey stuffed her once-short blond hair back under her thick woolen hat. Not having to contend with Yosemite’s more primitive plumbing, which made simple hygiene a chore, she’d let it grow long and thick.

  Her breath came more heavily than she liked. She was still fit and trim, but four years of living at sea level had hindered her blood’s ability to process the high-altitude air. Lindsey reached for a Diamox pill and washed it down with the hot chocolate. The medication was needed twice a day to prevent high altitude pulmonary edema, which could kill. An easy physical pace for the next few weeks would be required until her body produced more blood cells and adjusted to the higher altitude. The rangers’ winter quarters were at the highest level of Yosemite—the fabled High Sierra that had taken lives from the earliest Native Americans to the tragic Donner Party, and more recent victims, like Eva.

  To live on the edge of survival brought out the best or the worst in people. Sadly, Eva, who had replaced Lindsey, hadn’t made it. But for Lindsey, true Nature with a capital N brought out the best in her. She thrived in the Sierra, and didn’t see death within the snow, but glorious life. She prayed Eric still took joy in his surroundings. Despite their breakup—a breakup he’d said she’d wanted—she’d never wished him anything but happiness and health. She still wished that for him.

  As Lindsey munched on her snack, she mentally reviewed the three rangers she’d soon share a cabin with.

  Eric she already knew. A true wilderness expert, a throwback to the early California mountain men and climbing guides he was descended from, Eric was at home in the High Sierra. Four years ago, he’d been a delightful combination of his intelligent father’s outdoor ways, his educated mother’s handsome looks, and his own brand of wit, charm and courage. All knew him as a gifted expert on climate with an uncanny sense of snow prediction and ability to navigate in any weather. He usually read people just as well—except for Lindsey.

  I wonder if he’s still the same man….

  The second ranger, Eric’s twin sister, Naomi, probably hadn’t changed a bit. She and Eric were instantly identified as siblings; their hair and eye color, even their skin tone and facial features, were so similar, their relationship was unmistakable. Naomi was probably as opinionated, bossy and possessive as ever. She rarely stayed away from her twin for long. Her husband, Bruce Palmer, had been killed in a car accident, and she’d returned to her twin for comfort. She’d qualified for a Yosemite ranger position at about the same time Lindsey started working with Eric. From what Jack Hunter had mentioned in a later conversation, Naomi was still working as a ranger and busily finishing up her master’s thesis on Sierra Nevada botany. A herbalist and botanist, and the team member with the EMT certification, she was usually found deep in her books and research. Lindsey often felt Naomi would never have left her former hospital job for ranger work if her husband hadn’t died.

  Naomi had always been more interested in her studies than in the people around her. Although twins, brother and sister were opposites, with Naomi quiet and somewhat pessimistic, Eric openly sociable and cheerful. They hardly ever disagreed on anything—except Lindsey.

  Lindsey wasn’t looking forward to seeing Naomi again. Eric’s sister had always seen Lindsey as competition, since the twins were so close. However, to be fair, Lindsey had to admit that although Naomi had certainly tried to influence Eric, the final decision had been his.

  Keith “TNT” Arroyo, the explosives expert, remained the only member of the team Lindsey didn’t know. He was a relative newcomer with less seniority than Naomi, and he’d replaced the explosives expert Lindsey had worked with. Supposedly “TNT” lived up to his nickname in both his lifestyle and his skiing. His expertise with explosives had already earned him a place as instructor in setting off man-made avalanches. Like Lindsey and Eric, he had a glowing record and had saved lives more than once. He was the youngest of the party at twenty-three, Hunter had told her during her briefing.

  “Despite his youth, Keith’s an excellent ranger—but that’s not all. The man knows his explosives, and he and Eva made a great two-member team. Keith’s a good man to have on any team—and he’ll need your friendship. He doesn’t have a twin’s shoulder to offer comfort.”

  Lindsey had nodded, finished filling in the final paperwork with Jack Hunter, checked her pack, straps and skis, and set upon her journey. Now, almost finished with her hot chocolate and trail bar, she would soon meet Keith for the first time.

  She’d resume her acquaintance with the brother and sister who’d almost become her family.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Yosemite, Rangers’ winter cabin

  Same day, late afternoon

  “WHERE IS SHE?” Eric asked impatiently, his breath making more fog on the frosted, double-paned window. “It’s going to be dark soon.”

  “She checked in by radio right on time. Stop worrying. She probably hasn’t skied in a while,” Naomi said calmly. “Better to be cautious and a little late than risk injury like—” Naomi broke off and continued setting the table in the large common room.

  Like Eva. She’s gone. If Lindsey were gone forever… That thought chilled him
to the bone. He couldn’t finish it, even to himself. Eric strode away from the window and back to the kitchen area. He picked up the spoon and stirred the stew he’d fixed for their dinner. He suddenly wondered if Lindsey still liked stew. Her mother and sisters were vegetarian, but in primitive conditions such as these, it wasn’t practical to cook separate meals for everyone. Cooking duties were shared, as was rummaging in the huge cabin pantry among cases of canned goods, dried meats and a freezer full of frozen vegetables and butcher cuts purchased in advance and stockpiled to last four people six months.

  Lindsey usually ate what was on the table. Still… Maybe she’d become vegetarian, after all. Quickly he tossed some flour and other ingredients into the breadmaker. Lindsey loved hot, freshly made bread—and it would go well with their meal, Eric told himself.

  Keith emerged from the small bedroom he shared with Eric. They were built deliberately small, with low roofs to make them easier to heat. “If we’re waiting dinner on the replacement, I hope she gets here soon,” Keith said with an appreciative sniff. He moved over to the fire, tending it and then stroking the dejected Ginger lying beside it, her tail tucked around her body. “I’m hungry.”

  “I’ll never understand men,” Naomi said harshly. “You lost Eva, and now you’re waiting for her replacement—how can you eat?”

  “That’s enough,” Eric said quietly to his sister. “What would you have us do? Stop eating like Eva’s dog?”

  “You did when Lindsey left four years ago,” Naomi responded.

  “If so, I didn’t urge others to imitate my example.”

  Eric saw his sister flush guiltily, and immediately felt guilty himself. Ever since Eva’s death, they’d all been on edge. And now the proverbial “blast from the past” in the form of Lindsey Nelson, former lover and fiancée, was about to arrive.

  “I’m sorry, Eric. My apologies, Keith. I’ve been a nervous wreck since Eva—and I’m worried about Lindsey,” Naomi said contritely. “I just wish she’d get here, that’s all.”

  “We all do,” Eric added kindly. “Go ahead and radio her again, if you like.”

  “I—no, that’ll only slow her down more.”

  “Tell you what. I’ll go walk the dog and take a looksee,” Keith offered. “I’ll check the generator on my way back.”

  The schedule of cabin chores was strictly adhered to. Wood must be brought in from the woodpile, supplies inventoried, snow cleared from the roof, the generator checked and refueled. As far as meals went, this week Eric was cooking, Naomi setting the table, and Keith cleared the dishes and washed up.

  “I’d appreciate that,” Naomi said before Eric could reply. “Thanks, Keith.”

  Keith nodded. “I won’t be long…ten minutes. Fifteen at most.”

  All three checked their wristwatches from long habit. You planned your travel, you traveled your plan, and you always registered an itinerary with your partners. Even Eva had followed that rule. Keith hooked Ginger to the leash and after tugging and coaxing finally forced the reluctant dog to her feet and outside.

  The rush of cold air coming in from the double-doored porch sent shivers down Eric’s spine as he peered out the closest window from his spot in the kitchen. His sister noticed. She always noticed.

  “You’re nervous about her coming back,” she said without preamble.

  Eric continued to stir.

  “She’ll eat your cooking, you know. She always did.”

  “That was four years ago. She likes pepper.” Eric added a dash of pepper.

  “You’re still in love with her.” Naomi reached for the sturdy dinner dishes and placed them on the table. “Well, I hope you take every opportunity to get Lindsey back.”

  Eric smiled, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. “This from the woman who never liked my fiancée.”

  “You’re my twin. I’d resent anyone who replaced me in your life. And yes, I always thought you could do better than some animal lover who put her dog first and her boyfriend second.” Naomi picked up the silverware. “But I’m not the one who fell in love with her. And you haven’t been yourself ever since you let her walk out of here.”

  “She walked away from me.”

  “Wrong. You pushed her away by refusing to reschedule the wedding.” Naomi frowned at a spot on a piece of silverware. She wiped it on her heavy flannel shirt and set it at her usual place. “If I’d died, would you have wanted to get married the next day?”

  Those words got a reaction. “You’re not a damn dog!”

  “Lindsey was as close to that dog of hers as you and I are. They were like us—twins.”

  “You’re dead wrong.”

  “I’m not wrong! You know what I’m thinking most of the time. I know what you’re thinking. We know each other’s actions, movements, likes, dislikes. Each of us knows how the other would react to just about any situation at home or on the job. We’re in sync—we work perfectly together. Same with Lindsey and her dog. You and I love each other, we get along better than anyone else could, yet you’d still choose Lindsey over me, wouldn’t you?”

  “We’ve had this conversation before, Naomi. Drop—”

  Naomi interrupted him. “Just like she would’ve chosen you over her dog, if you’d given her a chance. For heaven’s sake, Eric, she has a real gift with animals! I wouldn’t be surprised to see a grizzly eating out of her hand. She saved more lives with her dog than both of us put together. Because of your hurt pride, you lost a wife. And she lost confidence in her gift.”

  Eric abruptly tossed the stirring spoon in the sink. “What the hell are you talking about?”

  Naomi paused, a stack of silverware still waiting to be set out. “The Park Service practically ordered her back here to work as a canine handler. She didn’t want to leave San Diego. She hasn’t worked with a dog since she left Yosemite. That’s your doing. Our doing,” Naomi corrected herself. “And she’s playing Baywatch babe with the surfers and divers. She’s not climbing or skiing. She’s not the same Lindsey we knew.”

  Eric found himself shaken. He and Naomi had talked about Lindsey a few times, but this was news. “I never heard… No, I don’t believe it. She’d never give up her dogs—or her search-and-rescue work with them.”

  “That’s because you haven’t kept in touch with Lindsey’s sisters. I have. Lindsey’s no better for your breakup than you are—which is why you both need to repair the damage. I’ll help in any way I can. Her family wants their old Lindsey back. I want my old brother back. If that doesn’t happen, when this winter is over, I leave here for good. I can’t stand seeing you like this anymore. Knowing I helped make you so miserable makes it even worse.”

  “That was four years ago. Why the sudden guilt complex? Because she’s coming back?”

  “Because I am guilty.” Eric watched with horror as tears ran down his sister’s face. Naomi moved away from him to snatch at the coffee mugs and napkins. “I saw that you hated the time she spent with animals—you felt it was time she should spend with you. You felt her love for you was somehow compromised by her commitment to her dog. I know how you think, Eric. And I saw what it did to Lindsey. I should’ve helped you both—but I selfishly stood by. I’d already lost my husband. I didn’t want to lose my twin, too. But I lost you, anyway, by letting you walk away from Lindsey.”

  “You didn’t ‘let me’ do anything, Naomi. I’m a big boy. Right or wrong, I made my own choice.”

  “It was wrong.”

  Eric watched the tears slide down her cheeks as she continued setting the table. He asked his sister a question he’d never asked. “Naomi, you only told me the truth, right? Or what you believed to be the truth? You never lied to me, did you? You said she wanted to break off the wedding and her dog’s death was the perfect excuse.”

  Naomi didn’t answer. Shaken, he retrieved the spoon from the sink. “Naomi?” He started to press for an answer just as Keith returned with Ginger and announced, “I saw her. Better set an extra plate, Naomi. She should be here in ab
out ten minutes.”

  Could Lindsey have been right? That all along Naomi had planned to break them up? Never once had Eric suspected that Naomi might have deliberately deceived him. Eric took a deep breath and put the communal pot on the table. He reached for the lid to the breadmaker. He hadn’t clicked the switch hard enough to activate the process earlier, he noticed with dismay. There would be no bread with the stew, no bread for the replacement ranger.

  Eric couldn’t help wishing for a more auspicious beginning. He checked his wristwatch once, twice and a third time, until he caught both his sister and Keith watching him.

  “Just seeing if she’s still the punctual type,” he excused himself—he who never made excuses.

  Naomi said nothing, but Keith remarked, “You can see her from the window now, Boss. Take a look.”

  Eric loped to the front cabin window as fast as he could without seeming to rush. Despite the distance, he immediately took in the gracefully moving figure. The shape, size and movement hit him with a sense of recognition. He could pick Lindsey out in any crowd. The familiar pain he felt at her rejection warred with joy as the figure came closer and then stopped outside the porch door.

  Before he could leave the food to hurry outside, she’d removed her skis, stepped inside the unheated enclosed porch, racked her skis and poles, and knocked on the inner connecting door. Eric immediately brushed past the other two rangers to open it personally, eager to see the face whose appearance once gave him such joy.

  Lindsey Nelson stepped inside the cabin, bringing the cold air inside. The smile on his face froze as she spoke in a stranger’s voice.

  “Lindsey Nelson reporting for duty as ordered, sir.”

  One hour later