Along the Broken Road Read Online Free PDF Page A

an instant erupted into chaos. That needed to not happen here. Outside, birds chirped, reminding him he wasn’t really alone. The plastic bag crinkled as he withdrew the contents. It was an expensive journal, leather and worn down by time. The kind purchased by those willing to invest in the written word, those who knew its power. Black corners were frayed like a favorite pair of jeans and the binding opened easily, as if inviting one to step into its world. Ian pulled a long breath and opened to a random page in the middle. His one hope was that he could read through it without breaking down and crying. So far, each attempt had failed. But now he had a mission. There was an objective and that made the circumstances different. He had a job to do. Failure wasn’t an option and there was no room for compromise. Ian worked to muster everything within him. He could do this. He had to. He had a promise to keep.
    But he hadn’t counted on Charlee affecting him the way she did. He hadn’t counted on that dimple in her cheek or her fierce desire to maintain her independence. He hadn’t counted on her being everything he’d imagined.
    Ian was in over his head. And the one person he could always count on to point him in the right direction was gone.
    Heart hammering in his ribs, Ian touched the page as if he could still see its author, pen in hand. He forced the image from his mind when his nose tingled. Ian sniffed and began to read.
Dear Charlee,
Below me is a dry, dusty landscape scarred by mortar shells and interrupted by the indentations of a thousand army vehicles that cut a path to the base. This is a war zone unlike any other. And yet, all are the same in so many ways. Different enemies, same bloodshed. Different faces, same injuries. A new set of recruits has come out and they are exercising on the ground below my high perch. They are the best my country has to offer and they are ready and willing to lay down their lives to defend its freedom. They humble me. They remind me that life is precious. They remind me about the unstoppable human spirit. Each one has touched my life already and only now am I first seeing them. If I can leave them with one truth, it would be this . . .
Life is a river. It flows, turns, gives nourishment. It twists, spins, gives hope. It is a home for those who will step in; it is a shelter for those who cannot breathe the air.
Life is a river. It changes the world it touches and it heals the parched land. And if you open your banks and invite the world, you will forever alter it. It will carry a piece of you forever. Life is a river, Charlee. Never forget that.
    Ian pressed harder onto the page. Only teary-eyed this time. That was good. He swallowed the lump in his throat. The one that always settled there, sneaking up from his heart. He pulled out a picture from the back of the journal. When the image blurred, he blinked several times and put the journal back in its plastic bag and into the backpack. He’d unpack later. Right now, he needed to get to work.

    Before leaving the cabin, he took a few moments to look at the painting, The Storm . When he tugged the door open, he spotted Charlee immediately, standing at the edge of the hub and dumping something onto the ground. He hustled over and asked if she needed help.
    “I’m good. We’re being invaded by ants and this stuff is supposed to get rid of them.” It was hot outside and she’d been working. Dirt smeared her white tank top. She returned her attention to the task at hand. Charlee gave the bag a shake. “Take that .”
    Ian swallowed a laugh.
    “I’m usually all about live and let live , but ants . . . they get into everything. If we don’t stay after them, they invade the cabins and it’s impossible to get rid of them.”
    He took the large bag from her. It seemed to be growing more difficult for her to grasp as contents flooded the ground. For once, she didn’t fight him. “You don’t have to make excuses for killing