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had caused. She would keep her focus on her path in life and fortify the fortress around her heart. She refused to allow him back in because once there he would make her want something she wasn’t able to have—a life with him.

Chapter Three
    M oonlight bathed the old Victorian in a soft glow as the community of Sonora settled down to enjoy another peaceful night nestled at the foot of the Sierra Nevadas. The Taylor men relaxed together in the cozy warmth of the living room. Josh had read in some parent-oriented magazine that children needed a calming home environment. He’d tried to make the inside of the house as comfortable and welcoming as possible with furniture that, in soothing greens and blues, invited relaxation yet was durable for a growing boy like Griff.
    Josh liked this time of evening. He could talk to his son and find out about his day. What he’d done, seen, learned. And Josh would tell about his own day. Only, tonight he left out seeing Rachel. She wasn’t a part of their lives and never would be.
    Josh glanced at his watch. “Time for bed, kiddo.”
    â€œAw, Dad. Come on. Just a little longer, please?”
    Josh ruffled his son’s hair. “Nope. It’s time for bed.”
    â€œWill you read to me?” Griff asked as he slowly got off the couch.
    He nodded. “Go get ready for bed, then pick out your book. I’ll be up soon.”
    Griff walked to the bookcase where Rod Taylor stood with a book in hand. He kissed the older man’s leathery cheek. “Good night, Grandpa.”
    Rod gave the boy a hug. “Night, pipsqueak.”
    Josh’s heart swelled with love for his boy. Some said Griff looked like Josh. Josh didn’t see it. His son had lighter hair, his eyes were more the color of moss than hazel and he had his mother’s smile. Sadly Josh hadn’t seen Andrea smile much toward the end. He should have tried harder to make her happy. A well-aimed stab of guilt twisted in his gut.
    The phone rang.
    Rod suggested, “Probably the station again. David Mackafee called earlier, wondering when you were coming back in.”
    Josh shrugged. He’d written out his schedule for the crew. Because of Mrs. G.’s illness, he’d been taking some personal leave from his duties as District Ranger for the Forestry Service of Tuolumne County. He would be going into the station in the morning, after he checked on Mrs. G.
    He picked up the phone. “Hello?”
    â€œHello, Josh.”
    His brows rose in surprise to hear the female voice on the other end of the line. “Rachel?” His heart contracted painfully in his chest. There could only be one reason she would call him. “Is Mrs. G…..?”
    â€œNo, no,” she said quickly. “She’s holding her own.”
    The tightness in his chest eased. He glanced at hisfather and son who both stared at him with anxious expressions. “Hold on,” he told Rachel. “She’s fine,” he said to his family. Both Griff and Rod sagged in relief.
    Then Rod arched a brow. “Rachel Maguire?”
    â€œWho’s that?” Griff questioned and moved to stand next to Josh, the top of his head reaching the middle of Josh’s chest.
    Josh shook his head and pointed upward.
    Griff groaned and shuffled out of the room. As for his father, Josh said, “Do you mind?”
    Rod grinned. “Not at all.” And he sat back down in his recliner.
    Josh rolled his eyes. Talking to Rachel on the phone while his father casually listened from his chair took him back to the past. But back then they’d had plenty to talk about—school, love, their future. The only thing they had in common now was Mrs. G.
    â€œSorry about that,” he said into the receiver as he turned his back to his father.
    â€œThat’s all right.” Her voice sounded hesitant. “Mom G. would like to see you in the morning.”
    â€œI’d planned on coming