“I take full responsibility,” Dad tells Ranger Burns. “Had other things on my mind and didn’t pay attention to the weather.”
We rode back to the trailhead in ATVs. Everyone was there waiting for us. Mr. García. Glinda’s and Bobby Ray’s parents. Ranger Burns. They all look as wrecked as we do.
“Guess it could’ve been a lot worse,” Ranger Burns says, examining our bruises and cuts. “Everyone okay?”
We nod like bobblehead dolls on car dashboards.
“Good job with Héctor’s leg,” she says, looking at Bobby Ray. “Can’t be too prepared.”
“My mom taught me,” he says.
“I’m an emergency room nurse.” Mrs. Jones wraps an arm around Bobby Ray’s shoulder. She’s a thin woman with scrubbed-looking skin.
Ranger Burns looks at Héctor again. “How’d you say you got that?”
“I had to go pee.”
“You okay, m’ijo?” Mr. García examines Héctor’s bandage.
“Sí, Papá. It’s just a scratch.”
“We’re still guides, aren’t we?” I look at Ranger Burns. “You’re still going to let us be guides, aren’t you?”
“I don’t know. . . .” She hesitates. “A guide’s supposed to a set a good example.”
Dad says, “They made some good decisions, Winnie. In an unpredictable situation.”
“Yes, I suppose they did.” She looks at us. “All right. Take today to rest up, come in Tuesday morning. If nothing else, you learned a good lesson.”
We turn into bobbleheads again.
“I keep Héctor with me a few days,” Mr. García says. “Until he is better.”
Everyone separates for the drive back.
“Dad . . .” I slide into the truck. “You didn’t call Mom, did you?”
“Thought about it,” he says, squeezing my hand. “But decided not to. As cautious as you are, didn’t figure you’d do anything too foolhardy.”
I just smile.