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

agree with Andie on this one, Matt. I think Enlo would be an ideal location to build the facility. Hopefully we’ll get more funding to house a few more pumper trucks in Reno also.”
    Andie sat back, pleased to have gotten her way on one issue. When she looked at Matt, she couldn’t help flashing a smile of triumph. Matt took her completely off guard when he winked at her, and her smile faded just as quickly. She was feeling territorial and competitive, but that didn’t disrupt his good humor. She felt childish for letting her personal feelings get in the way of her work and promised herself not to do it again. Matt knew what he was doing, and so did she. Stationing the pumpers in Bridgeport was simply a business decision, nothing more. It wasn’t personal.
    The meeting continued with discussions about the fire school Matt had scheduled to host in early May to train summer wildfire fighters. Matt made several assignments, expecting each ranger to teach a specific technique in dealing with fighting wildfire.
    “Andie, I understand you qualify as a Division Group Supervisor and passed your arduous physical. Would you be able to teach fire-line construction?” Matt asked.
    The other rangers looked at her expectantly. She had an excellent pumper crew on her district and would prefer teaching that, but it wasn’t reasonable to argue this time. “Sure. I can do that.”
    The meeting soon ended and Andie breathed a sigh of relief. It hadn’t been easy, but she’d proven to herself that she could work with Matt with a minimum of fallout.
    “Thanks for coming, everyone. Have a safe trip home.” Cal stood and paused. “Matt and Andie, would you remain behind for a few minutes? I need to speak with you briefly.”
    Andie felt her throat sink to her feet. Maybe things hadn’t gone as well as she thought.
    The room soon emptied, leaving Andie alone with Matt and Cal. Matt remained where he’d been sitting the entire meeting, and Andie sensed his leg must be hurting him. A blaze of sympathy tore through her when she considered that he must be living with severe chronic pain. How did he do it every day without complaining?
    Cal and Andie took their seats.
    “What’s up?” Matt opened the discussion by leaning forward and resting his elbows on the table.
    Cal’s chair creaked as he sat back and looked at them, his forehead furrowed with concern. “It may be nothing, but I sense some hostility between you two. There’s no easy way to say this, but do you two have a problem working together?”
    Oh, boy. Andie’s mouth dropped open in surprise, butMatt’s face remained passive. Unlike Andie, he’d always been good at hiding his emotions. Under the circumstances, Andie figured they’d done quite well today. She didn’t think she’d been rude in questioning Matt’s judgment, but perhaps her demeanor and harsher tone of voice had given her away.
    Matt spoke first. “No, sir, I have no problem at all working with Andie. In fact, I count myself lucky to be able to work with such a qualified ranger. I have nothing but respect for her.”
    Wow! What could Andie say to that? Likewise, she believed Matt was perfect for the job of FCO. Just not on this national forest. Not here with her. But she had to get along.
    “I agree that I have no problem working with Matt.” She looked at her husband. “I apologize if I sounded rude when I questioned your judgment earlier. I intended no harm. I know you’re looking after the best interests of the entire forest.”
    He flashed her a crooked smile. “No offense taken. You were also just doing your job.”
    “I agree,” Cal said. “Maybe I’m overreacting, but I sensed an undercurrent here that perhaps doesn’t exist. Have you two met before you accepted your new assignments here?”
    Andie bit her bottom lip. Cal didn’t know they were married because Andie went by her maiden name.
    “Yes…we first met long ago in college,” she said.
    Okay, it was the truth, although