Free The Forest Ranger's Child by Leigh Bale

Part of that includes doing what I can to ensure no one else gets hurt. The Forest Service doesn’t need a bunch of lawsuits because I didn’t build enough Bailey bridges or warn the ranchers. I thought after our helicopter ride you understood that.”
    “Oh.” She frowned as if the idea of suing the government hadn’t occurred to her. “I’d never sue you. It wasn’t anyone’s fault I got hit by that flash flood. I’m lucky to be alive.”
    “I’m glad you feel that way, but I’m also glad you and your baby are okay.”
    She shifted her weight, resting a hand against her hip. “I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, Nate. Really I don’t. You’ve been a big help and I appreciate what you’re doing to help the ranchers. It’s only that my life is complicated right now. I don’t have room in my life for another man. I can’t afford the heartache. Not with a baby on the way. As long as you understand and accept that, we’ll get along fine.”
    Her candor made him furious at the jerk who had cankered her toward men. She’d obviously been hurt. Badly. And the way Nate was feeling right now, he’d be happy to knock the guy out with one punch.
    “You’re talking about Tommy.” A statement, not a question.
    Her eyes widened with shock. “How do you know his name?”
    “When I drove you to the clinic, you were in and out of consciousness. You said his name.” He didn’t add that she’d cried Tommy’s name with fear and dread. At the time, Nate hadn’t fully understood who Tommy was or what the man had done, but he knew the type.
    A worthless, no-good piece of rat bait. The kind of rubbish that gave honorable men a bad name.
    “That doesn’t change anything between you and me. I’m not interested. Got it?” She paused, giving Nate time to absorb her words. Her eyes drilled into his like a high-powered tool.
    “Okay, I got it. But you should know I’m not interested in you romantically, either.” At least he didn’t think he was. He figured if he said it out loud enough times, he might stop thinking about her all the time.
    “Good. We understand each other, then.” She gave a sharp nod.
    “We do. Now can we be friends?”
    Her beautiful eyes narrowed. “I don’t think so.”
    A derisive laugh slipped from his chest. “Yeah, you’re right. You probably have too many friends already and don’t need another one.”
    She froze like stone. “Maybe we could be friends, but nothing more.”
    He ignored that. “Have you seen the doctor recently?”
    “I have another prenatal checkup in two weeks. Don’t worry. Except for a bad case of heartburn, I’m doing fine. And the baby is a little whirling dervish. She moves often.” She rubbed her stomach and showed a stiff smile.
    He chuckled. “I’m glad to hear it.”
    “Now come in for lunch.” She turned, as if she hadn’t just read him the riot act.
    Shaking his head in confusion, Nate followed her into the kitchen, then sat at the table. He felt useless, watching her wash off the counters, then slice lettuce and tomatoes for the sandwiches. Hank stood in front of the stove layering long slices of bacon in a pan. The meat sizzled as it hit the heat. The air smelled like morning breakfast.
    No one spoke. Hank and Lily worked side-by-side, like this was an everyday occurrence. Nate fidgeted with the salt and pepper shakers for several minutes, then decided if he was going to be friends with these people, he had a right to help out. Standing, he washed his hands first, then searched the cupboards for plates and glasses to set the table. Lily glanced at him, but said nothing.
    “What are we drinking?” he asked.
    “The milk’s in the fridge.” Hank didn’t look up as he used a pair of tongs to turn the bacon.
    Nate retrieved a gallon of milk and poured each one of them a tall glass while Lily cored and sliced apples to lay on each of their plates.
    “Can you reach the mayonnaise?” Lily asked him as she spread slices of white bread across