No sooner had Red finished his handicraft, than did an excited Ranger Gord burst through the door. "Where is she? Where is she, Red?" he cried, looking behind various boxes and tools. He absent-mindedly checked under a taxidermied possum; when noticing, he casually apologized to it. "I saw her come up here to the lodge." He scurried over to Red, grabbing his shoulders. "You told me you'd let me know if you saw her. You PROMISED me, Red Green ..."
Red, avoiding eye contact as if the man were a wild animal, tried to think of an excuse to get rid of the unstable Ranger. "Well, um, ya know there Gord - she did come up here to the lodge and I, um … well I told her to go on up to the watch tower there to see you."
"Oh." Gord let up his grip and his dark brown eyes softened. "You told her to go find me."
Red relaxed. "Yes sir, that's what I did, I sent her to you," he laughed, pleased that Gord would no doubt rush back to his post.
Most unpredictably, Gord's eyes flashed and he tightened his grip on the man's shoulders, digging his fingernails into the flannel. He stared straight into the eyes of the lodge leader. "You're saying that you sent that poor, lost, defenseless young lady - disheveled and injured - alone out there into the cold, dark, unforgiving wilderness? IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING?!"
Harold stumbled out of the back room, groggily waving curls from his face. He had passed out from exhaustion on the sofa, deciding to wait until he got home to try and remove the wig and dress. "What's all the racket out here? I'm trying to sleep!" he whined.
Gord released the bearded man from his clutches, jaw dropped, as he stared at Harold in that hideous getup. Red took the opportunity to move out of Gord's reach, then let out a sigh of relief. However he would have to now tell Gord the truth. Before he could say a word, the lonely Ranger began to get misty-eyed. "You … lied to me, Red Green!" he bawled, pointing at Harold.
"Now listen, Gord, I can explain -"
"Explain?" he shouted, spittle flying into Red's eye. "Tell me then. Tell me about how you broke our sacred promise, an oath between men! I can't believe you'd stoop this low! Do you think I'm a fool?"
Red and Harold shot each other a knowing glance.
"Don'tcha think you're making too much outta this Gord?"
"Fiend! To dare think such a happily married man such as yourself would try to trick me and keep this beautiful young maiden for yourself! SCOUNDREL!"
Red and Harold stared at Ranger Gord, speechless.
"Pft – you're old enough to be her grandfather anyhow," chided Gord, looking Red up and down, lingering on his mid-section. Harold began giggling at this, further annoying his uncle. Recomposing himself, Red always could get the upper hand.
"Well by golly I guess you're too smart for me Gord. I was going to take this young lady back to her place but I know she'd rather be with a studmuffin like you there." Harold looked stunned. "I'll just be going and I'll leave you two lovebirds alone, you got the whole lodge to yourselves until meetin' time!"
Ranger Gord proudly placed his hands on his hips in victory, only to break down into a fit of childish glee. "Thank you, oh thank you Red Green!" he squealed, hugging the man before he could escape. Then he grabbed Harold by the wrist and started to lead him away, eagerly asking questions without stopping for a reply, and telling him about the plans for his party, and how the squirrels were there decorating. They went out the back door, Harold making nervous incoherent noises and looking back helplessly at Red as Gord prattled on excitedly.
"Well," Red chuckled to himself, "I guess we'll be hearin' wedding bells under the oak tree soon." A loud shriek could be heard as Harold ran by the windows, Gord fast on his tail. "That's usually where you can find a couple a nuts!" Red grabbed his little wooden possum, then merrily headed out the door.