Righting a Wrong (A Ripple Effect Romance Novella) Read Online Free

up, I’d ruin a bunch of trim as well.”
    Drew leaned against the counter. “Something on your mind?”
    There was a time when Jace might have talked to Drew, but these days he preferred to keep his problems to himself. “Just an off day.”
    Drew nodded, looking as though he didn’t believe him, but at least he’d learned not to prod for more.
    “How’s Eden?” Jace probably shouldn’t have asked because he didn’t really want to know. But after all Drew and Eden had done for him to try to keep things from being awkward, Jace could at least pretend like they weren’t.
    “Good. I mean, school keeps her pretty busy, but she’s loving her classes. And we get to see each other at Silver Linings, so that’s definitely a plus. Things are… really good.”
    “Good.” Although Jace knew things were better than good. He’d run into the two of them around town enough to know that they were beyond happy together. Eden practically glowed, and Drew looked like he’d just won the lottery. Jace wanted to be thrilled for them, but the hollow, emptiness inside always took over, turning his good wishes into words that sounded flat and contrived.
    “You sure you don’t need any help?” Drew asked. “I can help clean up if nothing else.”
    “No. You get back to Eden. I’m good here.”
    “Okay.” Drew pushed away from the counter. “Guess I’ll leave you to it then.”
    “Thanks again.”
    “No problem.”
    The door closed behind Drew, and the sound echoed through the empty house like a cruel reminder of Jace’s current relationship status. There was a time when Jace was sure he’d found the one , but unlike Drew and Eden, his and Cambri’s connection had only been one-sided. And now she was back in town, digging up old feelings and memories that were best left buried.
    Jace grabbed a spoon from the drawer, sat on the counter, and ate Eden’s homemade chicken noodle soup. The warmth acted as a calming agent, restoring some much needed inner peace.
    Cambri wouldn’t be in town forever. As long as Jace could stay out of her way until she left, he could get back to moving on with his life without interruption.
     

“Son of a bucket!” Cambri’s father’s voice boomed from his bedroom.
    She sighed, staring at a landscape plan that she’d promised to get to her boss by the end of the week. Unfortunately, her father was making it difficult to keep that promise. It had been three days since she’d arrived in Bridger, and every time she sat down in front of her laptop, her father seemed to need her for something. A drink of water. Couldn’t find the remote. Would she get the mail or drop something by the post office?
    For someone who swore up and down he didn’t need a sitter, he was certainly making use of her.
    Cambri left her laptop on the desk, shut her blinds to the darkening sky, and went to discover what her father was up to now. She found him sitting at the kitchen table, rifling through a bunch of fishing stuff, searching for something.
    “What are you doing, Dad?” Cambri asked, picking up one of his flies to examine. It was black and yellow, looking like a small, fuzzy caterpillar. Interesting.
    “I can’t find the new carbon hooks I just bought,” her father muttered. “I know I put them in here.” He lifted his box, as though intending to turn it upside down and spill the remaining contents all over.
    “Wait.” Cambri rested her hand on his to stop him from making an even bigger mess, then pulled out a package of fishing hooks from the kitchen junk drawer. “You mean these hooks? I found them on top of the fridge when I was cleaning yesterday.”
    Harvey frowned at the hooks, then at Cambri. “If you think I’m losing my marbles, you’re wrong. My mind’s still as sharp as a tack. Suzie must have taken them out of my box and put them there.”
    “I’m sure she did,” Cambri said dryly. As though Suzie would ever do something like that.
    “She likes getting under my skin.” He