Love Is a Battlefield Read Free Page A

nodded then turned to her. “You know how it works. Ace here is still learning about the battle.”
    Unbelievable. Kristy wondered why no one else saw anything wrong with her being demoted and then having to show the ropes to the guy who took her place.
    â€œSure.” she nodded at him. In reality, she would rather have cleaned out a cannon than let Ace tag along on her tour. And cleaning out a cannon was definitely not at the top of her list of fun things to do.
    â€œI will warn you, it’s been a long time since I’ve done a bus tour. Hopefully, I’ll give the correct information.” she smiled to show that she was joking. Although ... maybe if she taught Ace all the wrong facts, he’d be out of here.
    â€œOh, I’m sure you’ll do fine.” Ace gave her a playful grin. “I’ve heard you’re a great ranger.”
    Kristy wondered what else he’d heard. He hadn’t been present for her public humiliation, but several of their coworkers had. And if she knew anything, it was that the park gossip traveled faster than a speeding bullet.

CHAPTER 3
    Ace Kennedy closed the door to his office and collapsed into his desk chair. He hated to admit it, but he was surprised. And it took a lot to surprise him these days.
    When he’d accepted the position at Shiloh, he hadn’t realized he was walking into something that would open up old wounds. In fact, he’d expected to find a fresh start waiting for him in the small west Tennessee town. Counted on it, even.
    Upon his arrival, it had seemed he’d found just that. Green countryside, peaceful river filled with fish, locals who waved when he passed them. It was the picture-perfect place for a man to start over. But his impression had changed two weeks ago, on his first day on the job. Owen had given him a tour of the offices and grounds, finally pausing at the door of his new office.
    â€œJust to warn you, the ranger who worked here before painted the walls. She said the white walls made her feel like she was in a hospital.” Owen had opened the door, giving Ace his first look at the cheery yellow that adorned the walls.
    â€œIt’s certainly bright,” he’d remarked.
    â€œYou’re welcome to paint over it if you want.” Owen chuckled. “Kristy took a lot of flak for her color choice, but she was determined to spruce it up.”
    Ace had noted the soft tone in Owen’s voice when he mentioned Kristy’s name. “Nah. No need to paint over the yellow. I’m sure I’ll adjust to it.”
    They’d made their way into the brightly colored office. Aside from the usual computer, printer, and telephone, the room was bare—except for a lone box in the corner stuffed with picture frames and a bunch of artificial flowers. Yellow daisies. Ace’s knowledge of flowers was limited, but daisies had been Caroline’s favorite flower. And seeing them poking their cheerful yellow heads out of the cardboard box had transported him back to the last time he’d taken daisies to Caroline. He’d quickly pushed the scene away, but that had been the moment he’d known.... He might’ve moved hundreds of miles away, but the old memories had hitched a ride with him.
    Owen had followed his gaze and motioned toward the box. “Kristy left some stuff here. She was supposed to drop in and pick it up, but I figure with the wedding this afternoon, she’s forgotten.”
    â€œShe’s getting married today?” Ace had asked, trying to seem interested. Better to concentrate on what Owen was saying than dwell on the past.
    â€œYep. Out at Rhea Springs. Can you believe she’s having her wedding at the park? I’ve been here for nearly thirty years and have never seen a ranger love this park more.” Owen had leaned against the door frame and shaken his head. “I’m not sure she’ll know what to do with herself now that she’s