“What about the kids?” Lily asked. “What do we tell them?”

“We’re putting out calls to all their families to pick them up earlier if they can, starting tomorrow. We’ll be done with the field trauma exercises then, and they won’t miss much after that.”

“Not all the parents will be able to change plans,” Lily said. “Some of the kids will probably still be here until the end of the weekend. I’ll stay until then at least.”

Lily turned to leave, another night of restless sleep all she could look forward to.

“Lil,” Sarah called after her.

Lily turned back. “Yes?”

“You should get out of here too. We can manage here without you.”

Lily bit back a sharp reply. Sarah wasn’t the cause of the anxiety squeezing her heart into a painful weight in her chest. “I’m staying until the kids are gone, and until—”

“She’s not going to be back right away.”

“I’m sure I can arrange another week or so off before I need to get back,” Lily said quickly.

“Why, Lily?” Sarah asked flatly. “So you can say good-bye again?”

Lily’s temper did flare then. “What does it matter, Sarah? It’s our business.”

“I know, you’re absolutely right. It’s probably better you stay until Chase gets back anyhow—that might head off any rash decisions.”

Lily frowned. “I’m sorry, what?”

“By the way, you probably realize this, but rangers have to live where they work.”

“Yes, I know that.”

“There are a lot of postings in the New York City area.” Sarah snorted. “In fact, they’re always looking for people down there because, well, it’s not exactly the kind of posting most rangers are looking for.”

Lily narrowed her eyes. “Why are we talking about this?”

“Chase has a history of making pretty impetuous decisions, and if she thought there was some kind of possibility, long-term, I mean…” Sarah shrugged. “I can see her transferring.”

“Chase would hate that.” Lily couldn’t even imagine Chase living and working in a metropolitan area. The mountains were as much a part of Chase as she was of the mountains. This wasn’t just Chase’s life, this was her life’s blood. “Don’t even mention it to her,” Lily said. “It’s not possible.”

“Oh,” Sarah said quickly, a note of apology in her voice. “Sorry. I misunderstood. I thought you loved her.”

“Of course, I…” Lily caught her breath. “That was low, Sarah.”

“I know,” Sarah said with a hint of a sigh. “But I couldn’t think of any other way to tell you that it would be better if you weren’t here when she came back.”

Lily turned away. The message had been devastatingly clear. “Good night, Sarah.”

Chapter Twenty-one