Epilogue

It was the shortest winter break Dani thought she'd ever had in her academic career. Instead of going home to Texas, holing up in her office or hiding out in her apartment to avoid all that holiday cheer, this year Danielle spent the most enchanting winter weeks of her life. She'd convinced Caleb to stay at Brice Masterson's beach house through the holidays, and she thought she couldn't have made a better choice.

The holidays had always made Dani lonely. Her parents had showered her with gifts and affection, but she'd never had another child to share it with. What fun was it to play dolls by yourself? Now that she was all grown up, she wasn't interested in playing with dolls, but it did feel good to have someone to share the long winter nights with, someone to cuddle up to in front of a warm fire and talk to.

Someone to love.

It was a slow process, but Caleb was opening up to her. The more time they spent together, the more they discovered about each other. Surprisingly they had more in common than just mind-blowing sexual compatibility.

Dani loved taking long hikes along the beach and through the verdant coastal greenery and discussing books and movies with the ranger. But it was especially nice to have someone to share her dreams with, her memories, and her soul.

Not long after they'd settled into a routine of lazy days spent exploring the beach house and its surrounds, followed by passionate nights entwined in each other's arms, they received an interesting phone call from Brice Masterson.

Caleb put the cell phone on speaker so she could hear the conversation.

She heard Brice say, "You'll be happy to know that I've pulled some strings and whispered in all the right ears, and you'll be offered your old position as Head of Development of the Masterson Memorial Parklands project. You can resume your residency in that rustic little cabin of yours come January."
Caleb seemed grateful to his friend for fighting for his job. He'd been willing to walk away from it when it had meant guaranteeing Dani's safety, but now that there was no need, he admitted that he'd been feeling the loss more than he had expected.

"Thanks, man," he said, his voice gruff to disguise the depth of his emotion. "I truly appreciate your help."

"Think nothing of it. You're the one who caught my uncle and his thugs before they could do any more damage to the park. Speaking of the illegal mining operation, you'll never believe what they uncovered while dismantling the equipment.
"Apparently my uncle had just hit his first serious vein and was preparing to send out his initial shipment when you guys raided the works. They recovered all the gold that was pulled out the cave, neatly packed away inside what resembled logs but were made out of buoyant plastic. That's how they were going to move the gold downstream without attracting attention."
"I'll be damned," Caleb muttered. "How much did they get?"
"I had an appraiser friend take a look at it and he figures that once it's refined there will be almost fifty pounds there. At a rate of over a thousand dollars a pound, the Forestry Service will be able to claim a cool million out of the deal. There are probably hundreds of millions more buried in the ground, but it will never be recovered."

"Holy hell," Caleb gasped in wonder.

"Yep. I've used my considerable influence to push for earmarking most of the funds for the parkland project. It should go a ways towards paying the development costs."
"That's very generous."

"I figured you'd earned it, since you helped bring the operation down. You and that pretty professor of yours. How is she, by the way?"

"She's well, and I'll thank you to keep my professor out of your dirty mind, Masterson."

Brice laughed. "Not to worry. My mind is totally occupied with another fine specimen of the female sex. Give Dr. French my regards. And happy holidays."

Although Caleb and Dani were pleased by the news of the restoration of his job and the extra funding for the park, they didn't greet a letter from the Dean of Sciences at Central Willamette University with the same enthusiasm.

Dear Dr. French:

I regret to inform you that your request for a decreased teaching load for spring term is denied. Furthermore, in conjunction with the office of the President of the University, I am revoking your tenure-track status. When your contract is presented for renewal for the next academic year, it is likely that it will not be accepted. Your persistent lack of ethical behavior as well as violent temperament are not what is expected of the faculty at this university. Furthermore, the fact that charges are not being brought against you for your vicious assault on my person should further convince you that your place is elsewhere. It is suggested that you seek outside employment for the upcoming year. If you disagree, said charges will be pressed post-haste.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey B. J. Fischer, PhD

Dean of the College of Sciences

Central Willamette University

"That son of a bitch!" Dani screamed, balling up the paper and tossing it in the direction of the fire.

Caleb caught it before it could reach the flames, unfolded it, read it, then balled it up with just as much fury as Dani had. "That son of a bitch!"

"I know! This is so unfair!"

"Then fight it, darlin'. You have my total support. You just march into that President's office and tell him what happened. And if he won't give you your job back and run the dean out of town, then you just give him your signature right hook and bust up his nose!"

Dani laughed, then scrunched up her face. "I wish it were that easy." She looked at him, basking in the unconditional support he offered, and smiled. "You know what, busting my ass for tenure in a department headed by that little toad suddenly doesn't sound all that appealing." She sauntered over to him, sliding her arms around her neck and stepping on tiptoe to pull his lips down to hers. "I can think of something I'd like to do more."

"Mmm..." he murmured. "Me too. Besides, you won't have time to return to work next year anyway."

"And why is that?"

"You'll be too busy publishing your groundbreaking frog cohabitation research and winning the Nobel Prize."

Dani laughed, loving the confidence this handsome man had in her. "I don't think you quite understand how academic research and publication works. It's a very slow process."

"Does it take longer than nine months?" he asked.

"Yes, usually," she responded, curious. "Why?"

"Then I can think of something to do in the meantime. Something that we can create that only takes nine short months to come to fruition."

Dani gasped. "Are you serious?"

She was amazed by his unexpected suggestion. She'd figured he wouldn't want kids, not after his own horrible childhood, or that he'd a least want to put them off for several years.

"Very," he said, brushing his lips against hers ever so softly. "Let's start a family of our own."

"This doesn't mean I'm giving up my research," she insisted after he'd kissed her breathless.

"Of course not." He gave her a smile. "But I know you. Catching frogs would only hold your attention for a little while. Having a little girl or boy just as inquisitive and frustrating as you will keep you busy for a whole lifetime."
"Oh, Caleb." Her eyes filled with happiness. "I love you."

"And I love you, Professor Greenhorn. Forever."

The End

This one was a creative stop on the fun-factory map. Whatever the hell that means. We do have another story from this same standalone series coming out with my August release. Hope you enjoyed it and are looking forward to more from this world of romance we’ve created. Tell the family it’s pizza night – I got another book for you. This next one is gritty and not for the faint of heart. Enjoy!

RAS: I can cut a rug on the dance floor. Raised in Texas, two-stepping was a must. I have to say, I’ve still got it. Or so my family, friends and the drunk chicks on the dance floor tell me. They might be bias or liars.