Chapter 21
I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees.
—Anonymous
As the day wound down, Maisie and Pops sat on the worn-out bench on his cabin porch, soaking in the serene beauty that surrounded them. Maisie’s mind still buzzed from the whirlwind of events from this morning. Pops seemed quieter than usual, lost in his own thoughts.
Just as Maisie was on the brink of asking Pops his thoughts on whether Wade Schmidt might end up spending the rest of his life in jail, a car came into view, pulling into the driveway. Her eyes widened in surprise. “Is that Mom?”
Pops followed her gaze, squinting against the bright afternoon sunlight. “Well, I’ll be,” he said, a smile spreading across his weathered face. “Sure looks like her.”
Maisie bolted across the patio and threw herself into her mom’s open arms. “You’re back! Mom, we have so much to tell you!”
Mom hugged her back. “I have a lot to tell you too.” She stepped back and did a double take. “You’re wearing makeup?” Pops had joined them by now. “Tim, did you encourage her to ... experiment ... with makeup? So much of it?”
He laughed. “Don’t look at me. It’s all your daughter’s doing.”
Mom put her hands on Maisie’s shoulders and examined her face with a puzzled look. “Well, I suppose it was inevitable. But maybe we can tone it down a little.”
Not a chance. If anything, Maisie would like to tone it up. She loved wearing makeup. It made her feel grown-up, like she was fifteen.
She hooked her hand through her mom’s elbow. “You won’t believe what’s been happening here.” She launched into the entire story, starting at the beginning, on the day her mom dropped her off. Mom listened, eyes wide, glancing at Pops now and then as if she couldn’t believe her ears.
“All true,” Pops said, when Maisie finally finished the tale.
“A notorious poacher?” Mom said. “Here?”
“The worst one of all!” Maisie couldn’t stop smiling over the thought that Wade Schmidt was behind bars, far away from bears. From Kate.
After Coop had given Kate a big smooch, right in front of everyone, Maisie realized she had completely missed their budding romance. It was a happy discovery for her, because Frankie had witnessed the kiss too. She saw the look on his face, like his crush on Kate had been doused by a big bucket of cold water. A delightful moment for Maisie. Too bad, Frankie , she wanted to shout. You should be crushing on me , not on a woman old enough to be your ... big sister.
“Thea, you must be hungry,” Pops said. “Let’s get inside and I’ll whip up my World-Famous Spaghetti.”
Mom and Maisie exchanged an amused look. Pop’s World-Famous Spaghetti consisted of a jar of spaghetti sauce, a package of dried pasta noodles, and sliced hot dogs.
Later that evening, sitting around Pops’s little kitchen table, twirling her spaghetti around her fork, Maisie’s eyes fixed on her mom. She looked different somehow—calmer, settled, like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.
“So how was the retreat?” Pops said. “Was it everything you hoped it would be?”
“It was ... unexpected,” Mom said. “In a good way.”
Pops raised an eyebrow. “Unexpected? What do you mean?”
Mom took a deep breath. “Well, at first, I didn’t realize it was a Christian retreat. I thought Rebecca had roped me into something and I gave some serious thought to...”
“Bolting,” Maisie said, filling in the pause.
“Yes. I admit it. To bolting.” Mom cast a side glance in Pops’s direction. “It even crossed my mind that Ranger Tim Rivers might have been in cahoots with my friend who encouraged me to go.”
Pops let out a small chuckle. “Not guilty.”
“During the retreat, we were encouraged to reflect on the main emotion in our lives. There was even a shrink to talk to—”
“Uh, counselor?” Pops said.
“Well, she called herself a spiritual director, but I thought she sounded more like a shrink. Anyway, Maisie convinced me to stay and give it a chance—”
Lifting his eyebrows, Pops looked at Maisie. She beamed back.
“—so I signed up for time to talk to this shr—uh, spiritual director, and she asked me some pretty intense questions. You know, about the main emotion that drives everything.”
“Like what?” Pops said.
“Like, decisions. Coping with change. How well I work with others.”
“Oh boy.” Pops muttered it under his breath, but Mom noticed and gave him a look.
“Anyway,” Mom said, “after some serious soul searching, I realized that for me, my main emotion was anger.”
“Anger?” Maisie repeated, surprised. Her mom never got angry. Silent. Moody. So tired she needed to sleep a lot. But not angry.
Mom nodded. “Anger can affect people in different ways. Especially if it’s buried.”
“Go on, Thea,” Pops said.
“I think I’ve been angry at God for taking my mom when she was still young, when she had so much to look forward to in life.” She paused. “Most of all, taking her when I needed her the most.”
Maisie’s heart twinged. She knew her mom and grandmother had been super close. And Mom had already lost her dad when she was around thirteen, Maisie’s age.
“The shr—uh, spiritual director told me to have a long talk with God, and to not be afraid to tell him exactly what I thought. About everything. She also said I might be surprised by what he might say back to me. So that’s what I did.” Mom put down her fork, her eyes brightening. “And something remarkable happened. I did just what she said to do. I told God everything that made me so mad at him. I really let him have it. I almost expected a lightning bolt to hit me. But you know what? I didn’t feel anger in return. Instead, I felt this overwhelming sense of love. From the top of my head down to my toes. I’ve never felt anything like that before. It was as if God was saying it’s okay to be angry. He can take it. But he wanted me to know that he still loves me. He’s still there.”
Pops had been watching Mom with a soft expression in his eyes. “Sounds like something your mother always wanted you to know.”
“I feel ... different. I can’t quite explain it. But I think everything’s going to be better from now on.” She glanced at Maisie. “Really, truly better. Not just Band-Aid better.”
Maisie felt a surge of emotions. Relief, mostly. “I believe it too.”
“Thank you, sweetheart,” her mom said, reaching across the table to squeeze Maisie’s hand. “And thank you for being so patient with me.” She glanced at Pops. “Both of you.”
Pops cleared his throat, a hint of emotion in his voice. “Well, there’s a reason your mother named you Calathea.”
Mom laughed at that. She pointed her fork in his direction. “Are you absolutely sure you didn’t have something to do with sending me to that retreat?”
He shook his head. “Only if you consider consistent prayer on your behalf as a tool of coercion.” He rose. “Thea, would you like some moose drool?”
Her mom looked grossed out. “Moose drool?”
“It’s park-speak for coffee, Mom,” Maisie said. “You got to keep your cool on.”
“Keep my cool on?”
Pops grinned. “She’s quoting Frankie, the park hottie.”
“Pops!”
Mom’s eyebrow lifted. “Is Frankie someone I should meet?”
“Oh, you’ll definitely cross paths with him,” Pops said. “He’s always fluttering around this kid.”
“I am NOT a kid!”
Pops laughed, and Mom laughed, and soon Maisie loosened up and joined in.
Later, as Maisie brushed her teeth, she had a revelation: for the first time in a long while, as she got ready for bed and her mind settled into quietness, she didn’t feel worried about her mom.
Less than two weeks had passed since Kate had arrived in Grand Teton National Park, yet she felt like a different person. Being here had taught her so much about herself. For the first time in her life, she realized that seeing things differently was a gift, not a burden. So maybe God hadn’t made a mistake in wiring her brain the way it was. She wasn’t a mistake.
And she definitely sensed God’s protection over her with Oliver’s treachery. Everyone at the park congratulated her, as if she’d played an important role in catching the notorious Wade Schmidt. She still felt like a fool for believing him. No—actually, she felt like a fool for not trusting her instincts about him. She’d always had a hitch in her gut. Always felt a need to slow things down with him. Why hadn’t she listened to it? That hitch in her gut was from God. She knew that now.
When she told Coop that the Nat Geo editor was a complete fake, he put his hands on her shoulders and smiled at her. That smile said Believe in yourself . “You know what I admire most about you? Your resiliency.”
Wasn’t that something else? He saw resiliency in her.
She might just love that man.
Later that day, back in her hotel room, she examined her photograph again. It truly was a one-in-a-million shot. So she took in a deep breath and sent it to National Geographic , to a vague depository that everyone submitted their pictures to, with the subject: “First and best photograph taken this year of Grizzly Bear 399 from Grand Teton National Park.” She held out little hope that it would even get noticed.
On a notepad, she wrote down other sites to send the picture to, even local newspapers. They weren’t Nat Geo , but they were something. Like Coop said, everybody has to start somewhere.
A few hours later, she heard a ping on her phone that an email had come in. She glanced at the sender, then blinked and read it again. Kate felt a jolt of adrenaline. This email was from National Geographic .
This is the real deal? The first glimpse of 399 this year?
Yes , she typed back. It can be confirmed by multiple park rangers , including the director of the park. It was taken in the last twenty-four hours.
A few minutes later, another email came in.
And you didn’t do any post-processing? You’ll sign off on that? This is a critical point. We had to yank the cover for the next issue because the photographer had done more post-processing than he had led us to believe. He will never work for us again.
No post-processing , she typed, other than cropping .
A long time elapsed and Kate sat back down on her bed. She was just about to set her phone down when another email came in.
Well, it’s been decided. Your photo is going to be on the next cover. It’s quite a remarkable shot. Timing is perfect because we’re running a feature on grizzly bears.
Kate stared at her phone for the longest while. Hands trembling, she typed back . I’m honored. Thank you.
Look for an email with documents to sign and return. And ... congratulations.
Kate fell back on her bed, gobsmacked. The first thought that ran through her head was, Thank you, thank you, thank you, God.
Her second thought, as soon as her heart stopped pounding, was to call Coop to share her news.
The next afternoon Coop found himself smack-dab in the middle of the road, playing traffic cop. As he directed cars around a bear jam near Mormon Row, Sally’s voice crackled through the radio. “Where are you?”
“Bear jam near Mormon Row,” Coop replied, keeping his eyes on some overzealous amateur photographers. He’d warned them twice already to stay one hundred yards away from the bear, but as the bear moved closer, they didn’t budge. He wasn’t sure which park visitors annoyed him more—this type, or the kind that jumped out of their car to snap a picture and took off again. “Which bear?”
“Blondie and her cub.”
“Is Frankie with you?”
Coop couldn’t help but scoff. He glanced over to where Frankie stood, happily accepting a Tupperware container filled with cookies from a well-meaning park visitor. How many times had Coop told that kid not to take food from strangers?
“Is he ever not with me?” Coop muttered into the radio.
“Good. I’ve sent two other rangers over to relieve you. As soon as they arrive, bring Frankie to my office. And find Zoo Girl and bring her too.”
“Kate? Why?” Coop questioned, but Sally had already signed off.
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 of National 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 the awe 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. “Sit down, 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 called me . 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.”
“Cooper! That’s enough.”
Why? Should Coop not have said that? Wasn’t it obvious to everyone? “Kids like Frankie, I see them all the time at my school. They’re starved for their parents’ attention.”
Sally groaned and dropped her chin to her chest.
“It’s okay, Ranger Janus.” Franklin lifted a hand to reassure Sally. “I don’t disagree. I just haven’t known what to do about him. He’s been so ... angry.”
Coop cast a glance at Sally to see if she was trying to warn him, but she seemed to have calmed down from high alert. “Sounds like he’s had a lot to deal with. First his mother’s death, followed closely by your DC appointment. Honestly, I think he feels like he’s lost both parents.”
The professional facade of Donald Franklin dropped, and he looked like just another confused dad. Coop saw a lot of them in high school. “Hey, but you’re here now, and that says a lot.” Why was he here, anyway?
The door burst open, Frankie’s usual style of entry, but then he froze when he saw his father. “Dad? You came.”
“Hello, Frankie,” his dad said.
“I didn’t expect you to drop everything. I didn’t expect you to come all this way.”