by Erin Wright
She put her hand on his arm, pulling the spoon away from his mouth where he’d been blowing on it with all of his might. “Stop hovering. I’m okay. Look at me.” She took the bowl and spoon out of his hands and set them down on the side table, then took his hands into hers. “Really look at me. I’m okay.” She whispered those words as she stared at him, and he stared back, the first time he’d let himself just be since the fire.
“I thought you’d died,” he blurted out. “Or were going to die. And I was going to let it happen. And then I had to choose between staying at the fire or going to the hospital with you. I chose to stay at the fire. I shouldn’t have. I should’ve chosen you.”
“Why, so you could’ve hovered over me even longer?” Sugar grinned at him. “Babe, there was nothing you could’ve done for me when I first got to the hospital. The doctor and nurses had to take care of me at that point. Your job is to take care of this whole town, not just me. You were right to make that choice.”
He broke down then, and he cried. Which was the most horrifyingly awful thing he’d ever done in his life, but he couldn’t seem to stop. “I love you, Sugar,” he finally got out.
Which was not the way it was supposed to happen. He was supposed to have flowers and a grand gesture and shit that girls loved, not tears. Tears were weak. Tears were for babies.
She pulled him against her chest and held him. “I love you, too,” she whispered against the crown of his head. “I shouldn’t, you know. You’re a guy. Guys are bad. I don’t know if anyone’s told you that or not, but it’s true. But somehow, I love you anyway, and it’s a little scary, I’ll admit. Jaxson, we’ve got each other. And in the end, that’s what matters.”
And as she stroked her fingers through his hair, cradling him against her, Jaxson realized the wisdom of her words, and he let go. They could share this pain together, and it’d be okay.
Which was the most amazing gift of all, in his mind.
Epilogue
Sugar
August 2018
They walked out of the Ada County courthouse in Boise, and into the bright sunshine, Aiden and Frankie flanking them, chattering excitedly. After countless trips in front of the judge, letters from the mayor and city council regarding his work as the city fire chief, and finally being able to prove that he had someone stable to watch the kids if he got called out to fight a fire – his wife, Sugar – Jaxson had convinced the courts to give them a more equal custody agreement. The time Ivan, Kendra’s boyfriend, showed up at court unexpectedly, drunk and ranting about her “brats,” surely didn’t help her case.
Sugar was damn proud of her husband, and she grinned up at him, just as thrilled as the boys over the news. They were finally going to be a real family.
Even more of a family than even Jaxson realized, actually.
She bit the inside of her cheek, the excitement shooting through her at the thought. “Let’s head back to Sawyer – I think Gage made a special cake to celebrate our victory,” Sugar told her boys. All of them. Hamlet was in the car, his giant head hanging out the window, tongue lolling happily. Anywhere that the boys were was Hamlet’s happy place. Sugar was his momma, but Aiden and Frankie were his friends, and bound to do things that they weren’t supposed to do, like feed him human food.
Yeah, he loved them a whole lot.
The boys scrambled into the backseat of the SUV, Hamlet happily sandwiched between them, and the five of them drove through the winding mountain passes back to Sawyer, singing and laughing and teasing each other every mile of the journey.
They pulled up in front of the restored Muffin Man, put back together after the spring’s fire, none worse for the wear. It was amazing how much the Sawyer community could pull together to help each other out when need be. After spending most of her life wishing she lived anywhere but there, Sugar had finally come home…to the one place she’d never left.
The boys went running ahead, bursting into the bakery with shouts of greetings to their other best friend, Gage, who tended to do things like slip them cake pops or donuts when no one was looking. Hamlet laid down on the sunshine-warmed sidewalk outside to take a snooze, happy to accept the pettings and love of anyone who walked by. Sugar figured Hamlet was about as well loved in town as Jaxson, and that was really saying something. After he’d been able to save Gage and Sugar and the Muffin Man from that damn chimney fire, the town had abruptly reversed course, deciding that he knew what he was doing after all.
Gage looked up and caught Sugar’s eye. She nodded just slightly, and he hurried into the kitchen.
“C’mon you guys, let’s sit down,” Sugar urged, herding Jaxson, Aiden, and Frankie away from the display case, where they had all been drooling over Gage’s newest cupcakes. “He made something special just for us.”
With a promise like that, it wasn’t hard to get them to sit down, and within moments, Gage put the cake squarely in front of Jaxson.
A giant, stork-shaped cake.
Jaxson’s eyes flicked over the cake and then up to Sugar. “Really?” he breathed.
Her chest hurt and her eyes filled with happy tears as she nodded, no words left inside of her. This moment was much too wonderful for words.
Jaxson sprung up, throwing his chair to the floor with a crash as he threw his arms around Sugar, squeezing her tight. As he swung her around and around, kissing and laughing, the boys fell to arguing. Frankie thought it meant they were going to have a pet bird at home, although he couldn’t figure out why the cake was in the shape of a stork, not a parrot, while Aiden, older and wiser, began trying to give the birds and the bees talk to him.
Sugar pulled back with a burst of laughter when Aiden told Frankie that storks only delivered babies to old people.
“When?” Jaxson breathed, ignoring his sons for a moment, his eyes feasting on hers.
“March,” Sugar whispered, her eyes happily refilling with endless tears of joy. Jaxson wiped them away with the calloused pad of his thumb.
“You’re all I need, but a baby – a wanted baby – I’ve never been happier.”
And then he kissed her, to the groans and heckling of their audience.
Sugar ignored them and kissed him back. Someday, they’d understand.
* * *
The fun has just begun. Keep reading to find out more about Moose, Levi, and the other Firefighters of Long Valley…
Deere Garrett (aka “Moose”) leads a charmed life as the oldest son of the richest family in all of Sawyer. His father owns the local John Deere dealership, a prosperous business that Moose will someday inherit. Intelligent, kind, and outgoing, he excels at everything he does, and his future is secure.
Everything is not as it seems, though, and just as Moose’s life begins heating up, a fire threatens all that he holds dear…
Coming March 2018, Inferno of Love is the second novel in the Firefighters of Long Valley world, although all books in the Long Valley world can be read as standalones.
* * *
Preorder today and save! Only $2.99 on all storefronts if you preorder it before it is released.
A FREE Story For You…
Enjoyed Flames of Love? Not ready to quit reading yet? If you sign up for my newsletter at http://news.erinwright.net, you will receive Stampede of Love, the love story of Rex and Kimber, right away as my thank-you gift for choosing to hang out with me.
Stampede of Love
Eight seconds…
That’s all Rex Kingsley wants. Eight seconds on the back of Bodacious, the most feared bull in the PBR. Two years ago, the massive bull threw him and stomped him into the sands of the Tulsa Rodeo in front of ten thousand spectators. Rex survived. Barely. Now his single goal is to conquer the bull touted as “unbeatable.” No bull rider has lasted eight seconds on Bodacious’ back for over five years. Rex aims to break that streak, and his lofty ambition leaves no room in his life for a woman.
Until Kimber…
Kimber Adams just wants to celebrate her birthday with friends. A f
ew drinks. Maybe a spin on the dance floor. But when she falls into Rex’s arms, literally, her plans change. She and Rex share a night of passion but the handsome cowboy wants more. Kimber’s no stranger to the perils of bull riding, though. She makes it clear that Rex needs to choose between eight seconds on Bodacious…or a lifetime with her.
Their love is young and fragile. Can it survive the dangers of a rodeo cowboy’s life?
* * *
Read on for a taste of Stampede…
Stampede of Love Preview
(Rex and Kimber have just met in a bar, and sparks are flying…)
“I never caught your name,” he said, realizing that he couldn’t use her name if she hadn’t been the one to tell him. That was just stalkerish and weird.
“Kimber, not Kimberly.”
“Well, Kimber Not Kimberly, I’m Rex.”
“Rex?” She eyeballed him. “Like T-Rex? Who names their child after a dinosaur? I thought I had a weird name…”
“I will say, I’ve never heard of Kimber Not Kimberly.” She stuck her tongue out at him and he winked and grinned. “Rex is…it’s a nickname.”
“And you’re not going to tell me your real name, are you.” It was a statement, not a question.
“Not a chance,” he said with a grin.
“If I guess it, will you tell me if I’m right or not?”
“Not a chance,” he repeated, and grinned wider. She rolled her eyes and plowed ahead.
Roger…
Alonzo…
Maurice…
Crawford…
“You did hear that I wouldn’t tell you even if you were right, right?” he asked, laughing, after she guessed Lesley.
“But I thought I’d bat my baby blues at you and change your mind.” She batted her eyelashes in a mockery of a southern belle, and he laughed.
“Turns out, I’m immune to baby blues.”
“Well I’m just screwed…”
* * *
Stampede of Love is ONLY available by signing up for my newsletter – sign up for it here: http://news.erinwright.net
The story doesn’t end…
You’ve met a few people and have fallen in love…
You’re probably wondering when and where you can meet everyone else. Here’s the list of books, current and to-be-released, in the Long Valley world:
Accounting for Love – The bank’s threatening to foreclose on Stetson’s farm…and the auditor on the case is damn hot. Jennifer doesn’t mind a tough job, but handsome Stetson is trouble. And then came the night she had to spend on the farm. Can she find a way for him to save his farm? And if she can’t, will he ever forgive her?
* * *
Blizzard of Love – Luke never expects to end up spending Christmas at the Miller farm. Everyone knows he hates Christmas. But Bonnie adores Christmas, so when her best friend invites her to the Miller farm, she jumps at the chance. When a blizzard hits, sparks fly. Can the magic of mistletoe tear down the barriers between them?
* * *
Arrested by Love – When Wyatt Miller ended up in the Long Valley County Jail over Christmas, he never expected to receive the greatest gift of all: Love and forgiveness…from his jailer.
* * *
Returning for Love – The love of a lifetime, lost but never forgotten…If Declan could turn back time, the rugged cowboy would do things differently. For one, he would've never let go of Iris Blue McLain. Fifteen long and lonely years, and the ache in his heart is as painful as ever. When he sees her again, he can’t deny his feelings any longer, and vows to win the only woman he’s ever loved.
* * *
Christmas of Love – This December, Ivy wishes she could just skip all the festivities. Parties? No thanks. Getting together with family? Not even. Mistletoe? Let’s not go there. But everything changes when she meets a rugged cowboy with a slow, sexy smile. Austin’s kiss melts her heart, but can two people with painful secrets have a chance at happily ever after?
* * *
Overdue for Love – When Dawson left Arizona nine years ago, he never expected to see Chloe again. Until he runs into her at a diner in Sawyer, Idaho, and finds that she has a memento of their last meeting in tow…
* * *
Bundle of Love – Dr. Adam Whitaker, vet extraordinaire, has spent the last nine years helplessly in love with Chloe, and deserves his own happily ever after. Except, what if the love of his life comes with one condition…a baby? [COMING MAY 2018]
* * *
Stampede of Love – Rex the Bull Rider only wants one thing in life: To beat Bodacious, the most feared bull in the PBR. But when he meets Kimber, he has to make choice: Eight seconds…or a love of a lifetime.
Bonus: Stampede of Love is available only to my mailing list. Sign up to receive it today: http://news.erinwright.net
* * *
New series for 2018…the Firefighters of Long Valley
Flames of Love – Jaxson’s not interested in love, or the perils that come with it. His priority is caring for his two small boys, and being fire chief of Sawyer. Everything changes the day he catches sight of Sugar, the pretty girl with the fragile smile. He wants her all to himself, and preferably in his bed – a no-strings arrangement that won’t break what’s left of his heart. But love’s as unpredictable as fire…
* * *
Inferno of Love – Deere Garrett (aka “Moose”) leads a charmed life as the oldest son of the richest family in all of Sawyer. His father owns the local John Deere dealership, a prosperous business that Moose will someday inherit. Intelligent, kind, and outgoing, he excels at everything he does, and his future is secure.
Everything is not as it seems, though, and just as Moose’s life begins heating up, a fire threatens all that he holds dear… [COMING MARCH 2018]
* * *
Fire & Love – In every way that counts, Levi is the polar opposite of his best friend, Moose. Instead of coming from the richest family in Long Valley, Levi’s father is the town drunk, and his mother, sick of the beatings, took off when he was only two.
Over time, he’d found a bit of stability when Moose’s family took him in, but life is never easy, and Levi quickly finds that coming from the wrong side of the tracks causes more than one problem in this sleepy town... [COMING JULY 2018]
* * *
Burned by Love – Nephew of the former fire chief of Sawyer, Troy was happy when no one looked his way to take over after his uncle retired. Troy appreciates his solitude, and just being a part of the background makes it easy to guard his secrets.
But secrets have a way of forcing themselves to the surface, no matter how hard one tries to hide them… [COMING FEBRUARY 2019]
* * *
Be sure to sign up for my newsletter to receive updates, sales notices, contests, and more! I only send out a newsletter once a week (Wright’s Wednesday Recs) and will never, ever spam you! I am a real person who hates spam as much as you do. :)
Also by Erin Wright
~ Long Valley ~
Accounting for Love
Blizzard of Love
Arrested by Love
Returning for Love
Christmas of Love
Overdue for Love
Bundle of Love (Coming May 2018)
Taught to Love (August 2018)
Thankful for Love (October 2018)
Stampede of Love (Exclusive for Newsletter Subscribers)
~ Firefighters of Long Valley ~
Flames of Love
Inferno of Love (Coming March 2018)
Fire & Love (Coming July 2018)
Burned by Love (Coming February 2019)
About Erin Wright
USA Today Bestselling Author Erin Wright has worked every job under the sun, including library director, barista, teacher, website designer, and ranch hand helping brand cattle, before settling into the career she’s always dreamed about: Author.
She still loves coffee, doesn’t love the smell of cow flesh burning, and is quite happily ensconced with her ha
ndsome hubby in a small, charming town in rural Idaho. Find her updates on ErinWright.net, where you can sign up for her newsletter, along with the requisite pictures of Jasmine, her kitty cat muse and snuggle buddy extraordinaire.
Wanna get in touch?
www.erinwright.net
[email protected]
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Table of Contents
Copyright
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
