The Forest Ranger's Husband Read Online Free Page B

that. It kind of let the cat out of the bag a bit abruptly.”
    Andie waved a hand in the air, resigned to the situation. “Don’t worry about it. It was just a matter of time before Matt found out about Davie. Enlo isn’t that big of a town.”
    A regretful huff escaped Sue’s mouth. “I should have claimed Davie was my son.”
    Andie gave a harsh chuckle. “You haven’t been married long enough. Besides, I won’t lie. I have nothing to be ashamed about.”
    “Maybe I could take Davie away for a while. I could take the kids and go visit Brett’s mother in Ohio.” She shuddered, as if the thought repulsed her.
    Andie laughed. “Your offer is very generous. I know how much you adore your mother-in-law. But no. Davie’s still in school. If Matt hadn’t found out on his own, I would have told him myself.”
    “Why?”
    “Because he has a right to know about his son.”
    “Do you think Matt would try to steal Davie?”
    Andie shook her head, wrapping her arms tightly around herself. “Matt has a job in the S.O.’s office. He’s not going to damage his career by kidnapping his own son.”
    “Does he want a divorce?”
    Andie didn’t know the answers to any of these questions, yet they kept rattling around inside her brain.
    “I don’t think so. He apologized for leaving me. He said he wished he’d stayed.”
    Sue snorted. “Can you believe that guy? What a loser. He always did have a lot of nerve.”
    Which was one reason Andie fell in love with him. Matt had been so much fun, and intelligent, too. A true athlete, full of life and hopes and plans. And he worked hard to meet his goals. Definitely not a loser. He’d encouraged Andie to meet her goals, too. He’d taken on additional work assignments to earn her tuition, prepared dinner and helped with the laundry. Andie had adored him at first sight. They’d both enjoyed the outdoors, skiing together, hiking, camping, you name it. She’d never been much of a girlie-girl. She baited herown hooks and cleaned the fish she caught. But with Matt’s overt masculinity, she’d always felt feminine and protected by him. Loved. Until he betrayed her by leaving. Seeing him now limping around with a cane confused her, and she wondered again if his injury was permanent.
    “No, Matt’s no loser,” she said. “He was always hardworking, in school and in his career. He’s a high achiever who just got his priorities messed up. But he has some very good qualities, too.”
    Sue leaned forward, her eyes creased with concern. “Do you think he’ll take you to court, to try and take Davie from you?”
    “No. I’m not sure what he wants, but I don’t think he would hurt Davie like that. And if he tried, I’d fight him tooth and nail. No one’s ever taking Davie from me. Of course, Matt’s probably still in shock, finding out he has a son.”
    “Good. When I think about how badly he hurt you, I figure he deserves a nice shock.” A vindictive smile curved Sue’s lips.
    Andie appreciated her sister’s loyalty, but in all fairness to Matt, he’d been a good, diligent husband when they’d been together. She couldn’t fault him there. He’d just forgotten what was really important. When she thought of the angst she’d seen in his eyes when he found out about Davie, she couldn’t help feeling sorry for him under the circumstances. He’d missed almost six years of his son’s life, after all. But Matt had made a conscious decision to remove himself from her life…and any children she might have.
    “What are you gonna do?” Sue asked.
    “Wait and see.”
    “Wait and see what?”
    “What Matt does.”
    Sue dangled one stockinged foot over the whicker foot-rest. “I don’t understand. You cried buckets of tears after he left, Andie. I won’t stand by and let him hurt you again.”
    Andie waved Matt’s business card with his phone numbers in the air. She’d scooped it up the moment he’d left her office. She didn’t smile as she spoke. “Don’t