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Nick and Pops decided to forego the festivities at Anne’s, preferring to relax at home in their own good company over jostling elbows in a mostly younger crowd. Kate hadn’t planned on going to the party either, didn’t think she could bear it, but all of a sudden it seemed like a pretty good idea. Having a drink. Maybe four. Why the hell not? Anne and Evelyn left Nick and Pops’ house first, Evelyn tasked with lighting a fire in the chiminea while Anne welcomed the early arrivals and finished stocking beer and wine in coolers. Tom left close on their heels, anxious to squeeze in a quick shower and change of clothes before heading over to the party. That left Matt to escort Kate the few doors down to Anne’s house.
Tom arrived a half hour later, hair wet and dressed in sneakers, jeans, t-shirt and open flannel. He located Kate almost immediately, standing draped on her crutches, while Matt showed her off to the locals and poured her another glass of wine. Tom had expected as much. He didn’t blame Matt his interest in Kate. He just hoped she’d feel he had something better to offer. He caught her eye, pointed to her glass now full to the brim and dripping, and mimed eating. Surprised, then chagrinned, Kate slurped from the rim and nodded gratefully. Tom headed into the kitchen to get a beer for himself and something for her to eat.
As predicted, the party quickly turned hot, loud and raucous, with plenty of alcohol, not much food, and Kate Brown at the center of attention. Evelyn leaned in close to Anne so that she could be heard over Elton John’s Rocket Man blaring from the speakers.
“Look at them,” said Evelyn, referring to how Matt and Tom doted and hovered over Kate. “They’re like two predators circling their prey, trying to plump her up with food and weaken her defenses with drink.”
“Of course, you’d liken it to a predation event. I think it’s more like mating season. They are definitely more interested in bedding her than bagging her. Between the two, I’d put my money on the Ranger.”
“You think? Really?”
“Oh, please,” said Anne. “Tom’s the alpha. She’s already beat up Matt. She knows there’s no evolutionary advantage there.”
“Sensitive, politically correct, Prius driver has got to be more her type than a gun toting, macho lawman.”
“I don’t know. After her ordeal, I bet Wyatt Earp is looking pretty good.”
“Don’t discount the guilt,” countered Evelyn. “She’s going to want to make up for the pounding she gave poor innocent Matt. My money is definitely on mercy-hump-Matt over savior-takes-all-Tom.”
“God, you could be right. And Matt’s totally going to play it up. It’s exactly how he manipulated my sister; made her feel like it was her fault instead of taking responsibility.”
“Anne. Your sister divorced Matt because she wanted kids and he didn’t. It’s not quite the same thing as taking a beating over mistaken identity. It really was Kate’s fault.”
“Close enough. He’s found it pays to play the victim. Not tonight. He’s not going to get the consolation prize if I can help it.”
Anne moved to turn down the music, then joined Kate on the couch. Evelyn caught Matt’s eye and warned him with a look of pity, as everyone else turned their attention to Anne clinking her glass with a fork.
“So, it doesn’t take a genius to know that you all didn’t come here tonight to discuss the war on drugs,” said Anne to a round of laughter. “I’m sure what everyone really wants to hear about is how our very own ambassador of good will, Matt Timmons, got the crap beat out of him by the young and lovely visiting tourist, Kate Brown.” This provoked cheers from most, an embarrassed groan from Matt, and a look of terror from Kate.
“Oh, please, no. I’m so sorry. It was a terrible mistake. I should never have hit him,” stammered Kate.
“Oh, Kate,” purred Anne. “Don’t worry. We don’t mind that you hit him.”
“Nice. Very nice,” said Matt to the applause and laughter Anne had elicited.
“Or even why,” continued Anne. “We just want to know how.” More laughter.
“No, really. I can’t. I hardly even remember.” There were a few boos from the crowd and a call to pour Kate another drink.
Anne scanned the room until she found Tom. “How about you Ranger? I bet you could enlighten us.”
Tom raised his hands and shook his head. Whatever her reasons, Anne obviously wanted to publicly humiliate Matt and was willing to use anyone to do it. Tom was as much an outsider as Kate in this feud and felt no need to play along. He didn’t need to throw Matt under the bus; Tom would sink or float on his own merit.
“Come on, Kate,” goaded Anne, playing the crowd. “There’s not a lot of entertainment on the island. You have to give us the details. I hear you hog tied him first.”
“I did not!” said Kate horrified. “I’m not even sure what that means!”
“Kate,” called Matt, “you better tell them something before Anne demands a reenactment.” He shrugged and gave her a swollen, lopsided and altogether fetching smile.
“Yeah, okay. Look, just… just let me get something to drink first.”
Kate looked behind her for her crutches, hoping to make an escape. Instead of crutches, someone passed her an open bottle of wine. God, not even Evelyn was coming to the rescue. That’s when she decided; if no-one else would protect Matt, then she would. She raised the wine bottle to toast him across the room and then, instead of pouring herself another glass, took two big gulps directly from the bottle, earning a cheer from the crowd.
“Alright, alright. So listen, you should know, it wasn’t a fair fight, he really didn’t stand a chance.”
Matt groaned and crossed his legs while others snickered and knocked elbows.
“No insult to Matt – most men wouldn’t. My Dad made sure of that. You see, my Dad, he’s a Marine, special ops, hostage extraction. He’s, eh… had a lot of training. So, you know, right about the time I hit puberty the Gulf War was really heating up. He was worried he wouldn’t be around to protect me. So, you know, he taught me a few techniques: a well-placed kick here, a quick jab there. Quick, precise, debilitating. And then I’m supposed to run away. Which is pretty much exactly what I did.”
“So how’d you tie him up?”
“I swear I didn’t. I have no idea how that rumor started. It’s not like I bring rope along for a day hike and besides, I didn’t need it. Where I kicked Matt, sort of behind the knee, it hits a nerve, makes your whole leg go numb for an hour or more. Plenty of time for me to get away.”
“I wouldn’t mind learning that trick,” called out someone from behind her.
“Yeah, well, like Dad says, I could show you, but then I’d have to kill you. Oo-rah!” Kate laughed along with everyone else before continuing. “Look. Matt didn’t get beat up by a girl with a party trick, he got immobilized by Lieutenant Colonel Brown’s daughter who has skills she should never have been taught. I just reacted. It was totally irresponsible on my part. I just hope he can forgive me.”
Matt gestured magnanimously from across the room and Kate toasted him with another large swig.
Scowling in defeat, Anne walked over to the stereo and turned the music back up. Burning Down the House by the Talking Heads blared from the speakers and people resumed drinking, talking and dancing. Blessedly released from the spotlight, Kate located her crutches and excused herself to the bathroom, pleased to see a cluster of men around Matt as he proudly recounted where exactly on his leg he had received the precision blow that had crippled him.
Evelyn joined Anne and the two watched the crowd of merry-makers. “Cheer up. This is by far the best party you’ve ever thrown.” Anne choked a laugh and Evelyn continued. “Besides, looks like the Ranger is making his move.”
“God. Waylaying her outside the bathroom. There ought to be a law.”
“That, Kate, was quite a story,” said Tom. “Not exactly how I remember hearing it.”
Kate jerked in surprise. Tom stood close to be heard in the din. He smelled of Ivory soap. His clothes looked well-worn, comfortable, soft enough to touch, and his hair was curly, boyish. Had she ever seen him without his hat?
“I may have embellished a little.”
“A Marine? Hostage extraction?”
“You don’t know. Wait – was that a part of the investigation? Did you contact my parents?”
“Maynard Brown, folk musician. It took me awhile to make the connection, but I have one of his albums. A large vinyl collection of folk music, in fact. Along with blues, jazz, anything with American roots.”
“Ranger Tom? You have unexplored depths.”
“So do you, Ms. Brown. That story was masterful. Matt’s gone from punching bag to war hero. The question I have for you is why?”
“Because he tried to help me and took a beating for it. And because Anne’s little stunt was clearly to get me to rub salt in his wounds – the wounds I gave him. He’s a great guy. He doesn’t deserve it. Seemed like the least I could do.”
“The least you could do. So, there’s more… that you plan to do?”
“I beg your pardon.”
“Sorry. Listen. I don’t know whether Matt is a great guy or not, but I have a pretty good guess what his intentions are. I’m just trying to figure out where you stand.”
“Where I stand, Tom? I’m not really sure. What are your intentions?”
“Short term or long term?”
“Wow, you’ve given this some thought… Short term.”
“Short term, I’d like to take you home and explore your depths.”
“Okay,” said Kate blushing, “that’s pretty clear. Long term?”
“Long term, I want your Dad to sign my album.”
Kate burst out laughing, dropped a crutch, and slugged him in the arm. Matt chose that moment to sidle up and snake an arm around Kate’s waist.
“Kate. Is Ranger Rick here hassling you again?”
Tom reached down to pick up her crutch, not bothering to acknowledge the comment or the intrusion.
Kate furrowed her brow. “Tom. His name is Tom,” said Kate.
Matt ignored Tom entirely and angled his body so that Kate faced him instead. “Kate, I just wanted to thank you for what you did back there and let you know that all is forgiven. It was an easy mistake. I know you meant well.”
“The least I could do, Matt,” said Kate, catching Tom’s eye. “Also…, like I said earlier, I’d like to pay for your glasses.”
“Totally unnecessary. Really. Dance with me and we’ll call it even,” said Matt.
“If all’s forgiven, seems like a dance is unnecessary,” said Tom. Kate looked down briefly to hide her smile.
Matt kept his eyes on Kate. “To a fresh start, then. Dance with me to celebrate our new friendship.”
Goodness, thought Kate. This was fun. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had two men vying for her favor. Between them, Matt was the obvious choice, just her type in all the usual ways. Their cars would carry the same bumper stickers. Tom didn’t really seem the bumper sticker type, too comfortable in his own skin to have to proclaim allegiance, but even if he did, she suspected he’d be no easier to type. He was… unexpected. As was her current situation, marvelously unexpected. She rested her other crutch against the wall and leaned into Matt. “I’d be delighted.” She couldn’t help but glance over her shoulder at Tom to be sure he was watching.
Tom chuckled, her tease leaving him equal parts chagrined and charmed. He deserved the smack down for being so forward, but he’d clearly gotten her attention. Kate Brown was goading him like a dog in heat, demanding pursuit. Fair enough, she was worth the effort. And truth be told, he loved to flirt. Tom watched as Kate finished one dance and started another. Matt was definitely putting on the full court press, high on glory and just plain high. Although Kate seemed to be enjoying the attention, his gut told him to bide his time and give her space to consider her options. As unpredictable as she was, one thing was for sure, Kate made her own decisions.
Another dance came and went before Kate begged off, retrieved her crutches and made her way into the kitchen. A few minutes later she returned in the company of Anne, Evelyn, and a fresh bottle of wine. Tom knew it would be suicidal to approach that threesome and kept his distance, noting Matt across the room doing much the same.
Tom nursed a beer and mingled halfheartedly while one person after another trooped over to speak with the hostess and guest of honor. It must have been exhausting for Kate to greet the masses after everything else she’d been through over the last 36 hours. Just as he’d resolved to mount a rescue, Kate reached again for her crutches. A quick scan located Matt weaving toward the kitchen. By the look of him, he’d put on quite a buzz. Rookie move, thought Tom. He headed for Kate, only to get waylaid into a debate over entry fees into National Parks. He should have worn a better disguise than jeans and a t-shirt.
Tom almost missed Kate’s escape as she surreptitiously wrestled herself, her crutches and half a bottle of wine out onto a dark and deserted side porch. Considering she’d been drinking with determination for the last hour and a half, it was an impressive feat and, to Tom’s way of thinking, yet another count in her favor. This was a woman who would not be deterred, not by obstacles, exhaustion or expectation. She had a sort of humble recklessness, a willingness to forge ahead despite herself and circumstance, that Tom found enchanting.
He extracted himself as quickly as he could from the ardent free-for-all versus responsible stewardship debaters only to have Matt sidle up next to him. He was drunk, gregarious and ready to be chummy with his erstwhile rival. Christ. It took another five minutes to pawn him off and duck out onto the porch. No sign of her. It had been what, 10, 15 minutes? He popped his head back inside and scanned the room, no sign of her. The way he’d been hyperaware all night, her south pulling his north, he doubted she would have made it past him further into the house. Tom returned to the porch, unease building as he considered the situation; drunk, overwrought, and reckless. Venturing into the night. Crutches, he reminded himself; she couldn’t have gotten far.
“Kate?” called Tom. “I saw you come out earlier. You okay?” He heard movement in the woods to his left but couldn’t see who or what it was. As he descended the steps his hand moved first to his hip, then patted his shirt pocket. Nothing. Out of uniform, not even a pen light. Training turned habit, he wouldn’t follow noises into the woods without something in hand. He stooped to pick up a couple moderately sized stones from the drip edge below the eave and stepped beyond the light cast by the house. “Kate? That you?”
“Ground control to Ranger Tom,” sang Kate.
Tom relaxed, smiled. “Now there’s one I haven’t heard before. Where are you, I can’t see you?” He held his breath, listening, and heard snapping twigs and the swish-clump of crutches in the undergrowth as she moved away from him, further into the woods.
“Ground control to Ranger Tom,” sang Kate again, followed by a stumble, a yelp and a fit of giggles.
“Ms. Brown, are you drunk?”
“Did you take your protein pills and put your helmet on?” called Kate, laughing more deeply.
Definitely drunk. Massaging the stones in his right hand, he called out. “You know, I make a living out of tracking drunks in the woods.”
“Commencing count down. Engines on. Ten. Nine.”
Hide and seek. Along with skipping stones and flirting, that was top of the list of favorite things to do. Tom moved silently at a tangent to the direction of her voice.
“Eight. Seven,” called Kate more slowly.
“I could arrest you,” called Tom after a time.
Kate squeaked in surprise, dropped a crutch and tried unsuccessfully to smother a giggle. His voice had come not from the direction of the house but from the left and somewhat behind her. “Come on Ranger Tom. Engines on. Seven. Six.”
Did she know she was repeating numbers? He could hear her step-hopping, moving slowly. She wasn’t covering much ground. Hiding, then, and adjusting her position to stay hidden. Tom doubled back, stepping softly toe to heel and sliding past branches so they wouldn’t snap.
“Five.” Kate drew out the number like a question. Then silence.
He was on the opposite side of her now, zeroing in on her location. “This is your final warning.”
After a long silence, when neither of them moved, Kate picked up the countdown from eight. She called out each number more softly and in different directions, which, intentional or not, made it more difficult for Tom to pinpoint her exact location. In the end, it was the snap of a twig that betrayed her. At three, he approached close enough to see her outline. At two, he tossed first one stone and then another into the woods past her hiding spot.
As intended, Kate inched her way to peer around the tree she’d been hiding behind, turning her back to him.
“One,” said Tom, stepping in close enough next to her to feel the warmth of her body from shoulder to toe.
Kate turned to face him, laughing low and sexy. Tom relieved her of the remaining crutch, letting it drop, and pulled her against his waist in a low tight embrace. Joined at the hip and heads held apart Tom searched Kate’s eyes in the dim moonlight filtering through the branches.
“This is ground control to Ranger Tom,” sang Kate. “You’ve really made the grade. And something, something, something…”
“Now it’s time to leave the capsule if you dare?” prompted Tom.
“Right… Do you dare, Tom?”
“This is Ranger Tom to ground control,” sang Tom, his voice pure, clear and true. “I’m stepping through the door.” One cool hand slid up her bare back beneath her shirt and held her tightly in place while his other hand the slid over the front of her shirt, his thumb gliding across her cupped breast. Kate’s breath hitched and he took her weight, pivoting his back to the tree and holding her tightly against him. He cradled her head, tilted it back with thumb to cheekbone, and kissed her once, lightly on the lips. Then Kate kissed him, a bruising devouring kiss, that left them both gasping.
Tom dropped his head back against the tree to catch his breath and Kate laughed, her hands on his face and neck, running through his hair. He closed his eyes and held her hips against his, as her hands dropped to his pounding chest, roving from shoulder to hip, to butt and back. He tried to sing the next verse while Kate licked and kissed a trail from one side of his neck to the other, but managed only ‘floating’, ‘peculiar’, and ‘today, ay, ay’.
Kate laughed again, reveling in this utterly strange universe where she fought battles and mothered children and seduced men. She was completely enthralled with this alternate existence, where she could be audacious and imperfect and sometimes right and always forgiven. She nibbled at Tom through his shirt, her breath hot against his chest. Tom grabbed at his shirt to pull it free, then caught Kate as she nearly toppled the moment he’d released her.
“Oh Kate,” Tom breathed.
Kate hiccupped, giggled and tucked her fingers into his waistband to undo the button.
He pulled her in close, trapping her in a tight embrace, and rested his chin on her head. He inhaled deeply to slow his ragged breathing. “Ms. Brown. I’m afraid I’m going to have to escort you back to the house.”
“Tom…” said Kate, using the tree to grind hard against him. “Can you hear me, Ranger Tom?” She hiccupped again.
“Believe me, I hear you,” said Tom. “I can’t take advantage, Kate.” He sang the next words. “Planet earth is blue and there’s nothing I can do.”
Such a soulful voice, thought Kate. “I could club you over the head and take advantage of you. Pops calls me Rambo.”
Tom burst out laughing. “Oh, I know you can. And hogtie me too. How about this? I’ll take you back to my place where you can sober up. Then you can club me over the head and have your way with me as often as you like.”
~~~
Kate didn’t really remember how she got from the woods to waking up here, in the bed of Tom’s pickup, fully dressed, on top of a camping mattress and snuggled next to him under a pile of blankets. She didn’t think she’d ever seen so many stars, the whole milky way spread out all around her. It was vast and glorious; Kate Brown, at the center of the universe, with Tom.
“Tom? Are you awake,” whispered Kate.
Tom didn’t answer.
Kate elbowed him sharply in the ribs, “Tom? Are you awake?”
Tom laughed, low and deep. “You’re awake.”
“There seems to have been a change in plan.”
“I wanted to show you this first. You fell asleep.”
“It’s unbelievably beautiful. I’ve never seen anything like it. Like we’re in our very own rocket ship.”
“The moon’s already set and out here, hardly any light pollution, it’s the best place to stargaze. What with David Bowie and all, it seemed appropriate.”
“Outer space. It’s cold. I can see my breath.”
“That’s the other reason. I figured you’d sober up faster in the cold.”
Kate elbowed him again. “If I prove to you that I’m sober, can we start exploring depths? Right here? Under the stars?”
“Oh yeah.”
Kate scrambled up to her feet, awkwardly with her splint, and stood precariously over Tom. She held her arms out wide to the side and slowly bent first one arm, then the other, then both, to touch pointer fingers to nose. She could see Tom’s wide smile in the starlight. He reached for her, but she stayed in place, pulling her fleece up and over her head and flinging it off the truck.
“Kate, come here, it’s freezing out there” said Tom, having no idea what she might do next.
She grabbed the hem of her shirt, pulled it over her head and flung it away too.
“Hypothermia is a serious risk. You really should come here,” said Tom, entranced.
With a shudder against the cold, she unhooked her bra and sent it flying. Raising her arms out wide and tilting back she reveled in the majesty of the heavens and almost toppled over backwards. That was officially more risk than Ranger Tom could bear. He caught her around the waist, pulled her underneath him and proceeded to warm her up in pretty much every way he could think of.
~~~
In the morning Kate arrived at the town landing in the ranger’s truck. She was rosy cheeked and disheveled but looked remarkably bright eyed given the amount she’d imbibed and the lack of sleep. Tom had donned his NPS ball cap and belt but otherwise wore the same clothes as the night before. He understood that everybody would notice but no-one would comment, which was fine by him.
Tom pulled Kate’s crutches and day pack from the back of the truck, the circled around to open the door for her. Kate flashed him a mischievous grin then allowed him to help her from the truck. She was up to something. He had no idea what and didn’t get a chance to ask.
“Tom. Kate. I have news you’ll want to hear,” called Nick. Tom darted a glance at Kate, but she was wholly focused on Nick as he walked over to join them. “They’ve located a great-aunt and uncle of Madeline’s, her grandfather’s sister and husband. Turns out they know her well. They take care of her every year for 6 weeks at their summer home on Vinalhaven.”
“That might explain Maddy’s comfort with boats. For years?” asked Tom.
“It’s an arrangement they made to help their niece, Sheila, knowing she had a hard time of it ever since she was turned out of her father’s house because of the pregnancy. They didn’t agree with that decision and have tried to help out ever since. They knew Sheila had struggled on an off with addiction but claim they had no idea about her current troubles or about the heroin. They’re pretty torn up about what happened and are flying back to make arrangements for the funeral and help sort out Maddy’s future. They’d also like to meet you Kate, to thank you in person for what you did, if you’re willing.”
“Oh, I, yes, sure. Maybe I could see Maddy too?”
“One step at a time, Kate. This is good news – but it’s just the beginning of a very long process. Still, I’m optimistic. It sounds like their hearts are in the right place and they have the resources to help. We’ll let the folks at CPS know you are interested in being involved and open to being contacted by the relatives.”
“Thank you, Nick. For everything. And Matt and Pops too.” After a few more goodbye’s and promises to keep in touch, Nick walked on down to the dock where a small crowd had gathered to greet the mail boat. Tom and Kate lingered by the truck to say their own goodbyes in private.
“You know, they may have towed your car. You could be stuck in Stonington,” said Tom.
“I’ll call Evelyn. She can rescue me again.”
“Call me. Please.”
“I bet that’s what you say to all the drunks you roust from the woods and ravish.”
“Yep. Every single one. But this time, I mean it. Please, call me.” Tom folded her in his arms and kissed her forehead.
Kate took a step back. “Listen, Tom. You don’t mean it. Or you think you mean it, because you think I’m someone I’m not.”
“You mean you’re not the woman who bared her breasts to the universe? Because I saw it with my own eyes.”
“Yep. That’s what I mean. That’s not me. Not in real life.”
“You mean, not in regular life. You’re right – I don’t know that Kate at all – but I want to. Because I’ve seen exactly who you are in real life. I saw the hideout where you, Kate, kept a child safe and warm overnight. What happened to Maddy, what you did for her, it doesn’t get more real than that. So yes, I mean it, call me, please.”
“Tom. It’s tempting, really tempting. I like you, a lot. And your truck, I love your truck.”
“It’s not mine – it’s the park service’s.”
Kate’s eyes went wide, she bit her lip.
“What?”
“See? Regular life. It can be so disappointing.”
“I’m going to buy one just like it,” said Tom with a wide grin. “Honestly. I need wheels and living in Maine it’s either a pickup or a Subaru. Last night decided it.”
“Tom. My point is, I’m no Rambo. Not by half. I worry you’d be disappointed. We can leave it here – the Isle au Haut chapter in our respective stories.”
“Kate, you can’t convince me you’re not worth writing into the next chapter.”
“Tom…”
“Look, I get it. You’ve just moved to Maine to start a new life, and you don’t see me in it. I’m sad to hear it, really sad. I was looking forward to seeing what you’d do next. But I get it. Just know, if you ever change your mind, I want you to call me. Honestly.”
Kate didn’t have to change her mind. She couldn’t wait to call him. She liked the ‘real’ Kate she’d discovered on the island; bold and big-hearted Kate, imperfect but forgivable Kate. It was the Kate she planned to march into her new life with and a Kate worthy of Tom’s interest. At least she’d thought so. She’d given him an out just to be sure.
Tom gave her a final hug and then walked her down to the waiting ferry, staying on the dock to watch her clump her way across the ramp and onto the boat. They watched one another as the boat pulled away and waved. For Kate, the echo to the day before was so strong, she repeated the Princess of Power fist bump, fingers spread wide like fireworks. Tom found the gesture sad and hopeful all at once, the end of a moment, the future unknown. He’d give her a couple days. Call her if she didn’t call him.
The boat rounded the bend, and Tom trudged back up to the truck, hurrying the last few steps because he heard his NPS mobile phone ringing. Caller id said it was from the Knox County Sheriff’s Department. Christ, what now? He answered brusquely as he snapped down the visor to get his notepad and pen. Kate’s bra dropped in his lap.
“Hi Tom.”
Tom laughed low and long. “I think you forgot something?”
“I decided to keep the sat phone they gave me, you know, for all my trouble, and I took the liberty of entering your number on speed dial. You don’t think they’ll mind, do you?”
“Kate Brown. Am I going to have to come arrest you?”
“Is that a short-term or long-term intention, Ranger Tom?”
“How about Tuesday?”