The Forest Ranger's Husband by Leigh Bale Read Free Book Online Page A

her. A small package wrapped indainty pink paper with a pretty white bow. Her fingers itched to know what was inside. She remembered the last time he’d bought her a gift—on their third anniversary, three months before he left. An exquisite heart-shaped ruby necklace she hadn’t worn since. Sometimes she took it out of the box and held it in her hands, usually at night when she couldn’t sleep and was all alone so no one heard her cry.
    Standing, she picked up Matt’s gift and carried it to the kitchen, where she dropped it into the garbage can. The thunk as it hit bottom mirrored her empty heart. It felt good to let it go. To mentally tell Matt no. He couldn’t just walk back into her life like this. Her heart no longer had room for him.
    Flipping off the living room light, she walked through the dark to her bedroom. She sat on the corner of her bed and folded her hands in her lap, letting the quiet of the house settle her nerves.
    She shook her head and stood, retracing her steps to the kitchen. In the shadows, she reached for Matt’s gift and pulled it out of the garbage before carrying it back to her room. Taking a deep breath, she closed the bedroom door and flipped on the light.
    A quick study of the package showed uneven edges and too much tape. Knowing Matt had wrapped this himself almost made her smile. Almost.
    Slowly and carefully, she peeled back the delicate paper to reveal a white box. She found an envelope placed on top of an expensive silver-gilded music box. Taking the music box from the Bubble Wrap, she lifted the lid. The soft tune of “Unchained Melody” filled the room.
    Their love song.
    She hummed along for a moment, remembering the poignant words so well. She had loved this song in the past. Now the lyrics seemed mournful, filled with longing and loneliness.
    Are you still mine?
    The words left her feeling empty and depressed. She closed the lid, her hands shaking. The card rested on the bedspread, beckoning to her.
    Her fingers reached for it of their own volition. She lifted the flap and pulled the card free of the envelope. For all his manly ways, Matt had always been a romantic. Cards, flowers and gifts. Before he’d left, he’d never forgotten her birthday or their anniversary.
    Before he’d left.
    The card was just what she expected. A flowery, mushy sentiment of the heart. But what he’d written touched her like nothing else could.
    To my dear wife Andie, for giving me the greatest gift of all. Our son. Love, Matt
    She sat there in shock. Not even realizing she was crying until her tears dripped onto the card, smudging the ink.
    She sniffed and wiped her eyes, then wrapped up the card and music box and tucked them far away in the highest, darkest corner of her closet. Where Davie wouldn’t find them.
    Her heart ached. She felt more alone than ever before. What did Matt expect from her? To just welcome him back with open arms? She couldn’t do that. Not after what he’d put her through. She believed in God, and forgiveness but she just couldn’t let this go. She didn’t have that much faith.
    She wondered about his leg. Something had happened to him. Something bad. Maybe a car accident or other injury. It must have changed him somehow. He seemed so vulnerable now. So sad.
    Clicking off the light, she crawled into bed and stared into the darkness. She hadn’t said her evening prayers because she knew if she did, she’d have to soften her anger. And she wasn’t ready to offer forgiveness yet, if ever.
    In the morning, she’d go about her routine, dropping Davieoff at kindergarten before she drove in to work. Then she’d close her office door and make a phone call. It was time she knew the truth.

Chapter Five
    “K endal Albright speaking.”
    Andie gripped the phone in her office and took a cleansing breath when she heard Kendal’s familiar voice. “Hi, Ken. It’s Andie Foster, er, Cutter. How are you?”
    “Andie! Well I’ll be. I haven’t talked to you in years.