Page 1 of SEAL the Deal
ChapterOne
Jennifer Reynolds leaned against the hood of her Ford pickup and sipped from a banana, acai and mango smoothie. Tall with a slim athletic build she cut an attractive figure in the khaki and green uniform of an Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Ranger. Her pale blue eyes watched the road out of town from beneath a felt campaign hat. Not one for sunglasses she tended to squint. Which, combined with her upturned nose, full mouth and high cheekbones, gave her a country girl next door look.
A passing pickup tooted its horn and Jenny, as her friends called her, raised her hand and waved. Oakridge, Oregon born and bred she’d left the small town after high school to pursue a career in law. Ten years later she was back having abandoned a corporate salary to pursue her childhood dream job.
As she finished the smoothie an SUV pulled out of the parking lot behind her and stopped alongside. The window lowered revealing a blonde woman in her late fifties.
“Hi Darlene,” said Jenny.
“Afternoon, darlin’,” replied the woman in a southern drawl. “Is class still on at five?”
Jenny nodded. “Yeah, but next month it changes to six. Sam is switching up the rosters.”
Darlene smiled. “Don’t you go canceling on us. Those classes are just the dandiest. I’ve got two new girls comin’ along tonight.”
“The more, the merrier.”
“I haven’t felt this fit since I was running track at Oklahoma State.” She leaned out of the window and whispered. “And, ever since I got that home pole, Steve and I have been at it like jackrabbits.”
Jenny laughed.
“No, seriously. It’s done wonders for my confidence. I never thought pole dancing could be so therapeutic.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
The radio on Jenny’s equipment belt crackled. “Reynolds, you there?”
She recognized her boss Sam’s voice. “Darlene, I have to take this.”
The woman waved. “I’ll see you tonight.”
Jenny watched her drive away as she lifted the radio to her mouth. “Sam, Reynolds here.”
“Jenny, can you shoot over to the Country Club. They’ve got a bear stuck in one of their dumpsters.”
“Again? Seriously boss, do they ever fasten them?”
“Clearly not. Brian says it’s only a little fellow. You’ll be able to handle it, right?”
“I’ll get over there right now.” Jenny stowed the radio and climbed inside the pickup.
She grinned as she drove through the sleepy town and out onto the 58 toward McCredie Springs. A year ago she’d been part of a takeover of a multi-million dollar company. Now, she was speeding through the rolling tree-covered hills of Lane County to rescue an overly inquisitive black bear. She’d always dreamed of being a park ranger, but she’d been swept up in the pressure to attend college and join the corporate world. Long hours, dealing with endless greed and a failed relationship had been the catalyst to move home and pursue that dream.
The McCredie Springs Country Club was located on the outskirts of the Willamette National Forest, the one and a half million-acre park that Jenny helped manage. Technically it was outside of her jurisdiction, but when it came to wildlife that didn’t perturb rangers.
She left the highway and drove along a pine-lined lane and into the opulent grounds. White colonial style villas dotted a landscape of vines, woods, golf greens and fairways. The heart of the estate was a southern mansion that housed the restaurant, day spa and offices. Turning off the main road she passed the swimming pool and stables, heading toward the equipment sheds.
A hundred yards out she spotted one of the bright green police cruisers of the Sheriff’s Department. Two uniformed officers were talking to Brian Douglass, the property manager. She parked a distance away and walked across to join them.
She recognized the officers; Ed and Harold had attended the same high school as her, albeit a few years later.
“Well if it ain’t Jenny the bear wrestling lawyer from New York.” Ed was the mouthier of the two. His hulking partner Harold didn’t say much.
Jenny ignored the jibe and approached the manager. “Hi, Brian.”
He gave a warm smile. “I’m sorry, Jenny. One of the staff forgot to fasten the latch. Came out here this morning and found the little fella inside.” He gestured to a large dumpster positioned under a tree. “These boys were passing by, but they haven’t been much help.”
Ed spat in the dust. “Come on, that ain’t right. I offered to shoot the damn thing.”
