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“He said he needs tiot…intiiving it to him” He had to be patient If he pushed too hard, that could be the end of it

Tensing, he rocked to his feet, reaching for Dee’s e for an answer, he strode inside, twisting off the caps of two fresh beers and taking a cal

Dee was leafing through a glossy parks brochure, and Ben craned his neck to read the cover “Yose a trip with Paul and the kids?”

“Was thinking about it, although the kids are probably too busy with college now to vacation with Moraressive They’re hiring a new head ranger”

“Are they?” He snorted “Subtle, Dee Real subtle”

“I thought so” She put the brochure on the table between them and popped a pretzel into her mouth

Ben thuly, Yoseeous places on earth He peered at a picture of a crystal-clear lake,above it into blue sky Similar to what he enjoyed in Montana, but new and different Maybe it was just what he needed

What about Jason? Yosemite isn’t any closer to Philadelphia Maybe I should wait and see what happens with him first

Dee said, “Change isn’t easy, but it can’t hurt to look into the position I know a few people in the main office down there I could make some inquiries”

He took another gulp of beer “Okay” Butterflies flapped in his belly Hell, he probably wouldn’t even get the job, but he’d apply for it It wasn’t a co off tooIt would be too easy to stay in his rut and let another opportunity pass by

“And if you want to knohat I think—”

“Have I ever had a choice?”

Dee grinned “Nope” Her s special, you should go for it You’ve got nothing to lose”

He picked up a pretzel and toyed with it “I don’t have the right to pressure him He was overwhelmed It’s understandable”

“Sure it is It was a lot to process But you can help hiirl Help yourself while you’re at it I’m sure you can list a whole bunch of excuses about why you shouldn’t even try He’s younger, he lives far away—”