The Billionaire's Birthday Wish
Page 10
About ten minutes later, the helicopter’s whipping blades were making the wind rush around them. The hiker started to move, but Zach leaned towards him and stated firmly, “Don’t move, Winston. You’ve been in an accident. You need to stay perfectly still or risk further injury.”
The man only groaned, but he seemed to understand because he stopped moving.
One of the medics came down on a line and joined Zach on the ground. “What do we have?” the man asked as he placed the board next to the man.
“One male, mid-thirties. He took a tumble down the ravine after being attacked by a bear. Visible head wound and right leg fracture as well as a possible spinal injury and internal damage.”
The medic placed the neck brace around the hiker, then turned his attention to Zach. “Okay, let’s load him up then,” the medic stated, “On the count of three.”
They both went to each end of the man, then the medic pushed the board right up against the hiker’s back. “One, two, three.” They gently slid the man onto the board, then strapped him into place. “You need a ride back?” the medic asked.
“Nay, my partner is up above with my K-9,” Zach said, pointing to the top of the ravine. “I don’t want to leave them hanging.”
“Suit yourself, but don’t take too long, or we’ll be rescuing you. There’s supposed to be another storm on its way in.”
“Will do,” Zach said, stepping back as he watched the medic and the injured hiker go up in the air and then disappear into the helicopter.
“K-9 2, this is K-9 1, I’m ready for you to assist me in coming up.”
“Copy that, K-9 1, ready when you are.”
Another ten minutes later, Zach was at the top of the ravine, patting Harley’s head and telling Aiden what happened below.
“Let’s head back to the station,” Zach suggested. “I can’t wait to get out of the cold and head over to The Lucky Penny. Want to join me?”
The Lucky Penny was where most of the local cops hung out after work and where the badge bunnies frequented to land a date. Zach spent most of his nights at the bar, either drinking with friends or picking up women.
Aiden shook his head. “I can’t. Lindsay’s expecting me back. We’re still putting the finishing touches on Mandy’s birthday party. It’s her first one since she officially came to live with us.”
Aiden and Lindsay had already adopted one child, a ten-year-old boy named Alex, and were in the process of adopting another child, Mandy, who was five. They also had one biological child, Travis, who was just about to turn two. Aiden’s whole life revolved around his family, which left him little time to spend with Zach.
“And they need you for that? I bet Alex has got everything already planned out.”
“He’s only ten, Zach. You can’t let a ten-year-old be in charge of planning anything.”
Zach shrugged. “How would I know? It’s not like I have a need to know that kind of stuff.”
“One day you’ll find the right girl and settle down. You just haven’t found her yet.”
“And I probably never will. Casual dating is more my speed. I don’t want anything serious,” Zach countered.
“Even if it was with someone like Erica?” Aiden probed. “You’ve had a thing for her ever since you met her when we were planning my wedding.”
“She’s hot, I’ll give you that, but there’s no way I can deal with her good girl attitude.”
“If you really made an effort to show you’re a good guy rather than always putting on a façade that you’re a player, you could have a chance with her,” Aiden pointed out.
“I’ve tried to get her to like me, but I think it’s a lost cause.”
“Never say never. I have a gut feeling about you two. I don’t think you should count yourself out completely.”
Zach decided there was no point in arguing with Aiden even though he knew Erica was a relationship-type girl, and Zach just wasn’t into that. There was no way he could be what she wanted.
The men spent the rest of the time talking about video games and football as they hiked down the mountain. At the base, they reached the Clear Mountain police SUV and loaded their dogs into the kennels in the back of the vehicle.
They reached the police substation where a curvy brunette wearing a skin-tight navy blue suit with high heels and a short skirt was waiting. Before they were barely out of the car, Natalie Watts, the newspaper reporter for the Clear Mountain Gazette, was pouncing on them.
“I’ve been waiting for you, Officer O’Connell, Officer Turner.”
“Why’s that?” Aiden asked, raising in eyebrow in question as he let out a large sigh. “Don’t you have better things to be doing then waiting around here for us, Miss Watts?”
She shook her head. “On the contrary, I heard you rescued two hikers, one of whom was attacked by a bear. Care to comment on what happened out there?” Natalie inquired, pushing her voice recorder towards them.
“Like I’ve told you a dozen times, Miss Watts, we were just doing our job,” Aiden stated with irritation. “Now, we really need to get inside and file our paperwork.”
Zach pulled Aiden out of earshot, then leaned over and whispered, “You can handle the paperwork for the both of us, right partner? If you don’t mind, I think I’ll take Miss Watts up on her offer and spend a little time giving her some comments.”
Aiden rolled his eyes. “Whatever you say, Zach. At least you’ll be keeping her from bugging me.” Glancing at the flirtatious woman, he added with a warning, “Don’t get into too much trouble,” Aiden turned around heading through the doors of the substation.
“What was that all about?” Natalie said with a pout. “I don’t think he likes me very much.”
“What does that matter when you’ve got me around anyway? Why don’t we head over to The Lucky Penny where you can talk me into giving you all the quotes you like.”
A sultry smile curved the woman’s mouth as she tilted her head to the side. “Fine. I guess I can finally give in, Officer Turner. I’ll follow you over in my car.”
Zach was looking forward to spending the night with Natalie. Though she could be annoying at times, she was smoking hot, and there wouldn’t be any strings attached to their time together. Just what he liked, a woman who didn’t want more than Zach was willing to give.
Grab your copy of Lawfully Devoted-Billionaire Bodyguard/K-9
A Note from the Author
I hope you have enjoyed the first book in the Billionaire Birthday Club series, and plan to read the rest of the series including books by Ginny Sterling and Jo Grafford. You can also check out my other billionaire series, Billionaires of Manhattan which is filled with more faith-inspiring characters as well epic dates and romance.
Your opinion and support matters, so I would greatly appreciate you taking the time to leave a review. If you would like more info, please join my Newsletter and get a free novella just for signing up. I’d also love for you to check out My Reader’s Group!
Happy Reading!
Also by Jenna Brandt
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The Lawkeepers is a multi-author series alternating between historical westerns and contemporary westerns featuring law enforcement heroes that span multiple agencies and generations. Join bestselling author Jenna Brandt and many others as they weave captivating, sweet and inspirational stories of romance and suspense between the lawkeepers — and the women who love them. The Lawkeepers is a world like no other; a world where lawkeepers and heroes are honored with unforgettable stories, characters, and love. Jenna’s Lawkeeper books:
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Lawfully Heroic-Military Police
Lawfully Contemporary Box Set
Historical
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Lawfully Wanted-Bounty Hunter
Lawfully Forgiven-Texas Ranger
Lawfully Avenged-US Marshal
Lawfully Covert-Spies
Lawfully Historical Box Set
Holliday Islands Resort-After growing his Alaskan resort empire into the “honeymooner’s paradise of the world,” Gordon Holliday is ready to retire. But there’s no way he can cruise the globe in his luxury yacht until his sons are groomed and polished into proper executives to take his place. There’s just one catch: He’s convinced their biggest current job requirement is marriage!
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Match Made in Heaven Series-standalone stories that are sweet, clean romances designed to whisk you away. Not every man has six-pack abs, nor every woman the model of femininity, but everyone needs someone. We believe in building a world that begins at the very core of what makes romance stories work—faith, hope, and love. Now it’s your turn to find love. Set your imagination and heart free with us. The next happily-ever-after is at your fingertips, just waiting to be told…Jenna’s Matched books:
Royally Matched-Contemporary
Discreetly Matched-Historical
Pinkerton Matchmaker Series-as female agents were few and far between, Mr. Gordon came up with the idea of expanding the detective agency by pairing qualified women with a male agent for training, guidance and undercover work. These women came from all demographics – some were looking for a new life, some seeking challenge, some wanting to pave the way for future generations of women. The only caveat – the women wouldn’t be a member of the Agency until their first assignment had been completed.
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PLAYING FOR KEEPS is set in a sweet western historical world where the legendary lawmen of the West and their mail-order brides join forces in a high stakes race against time to bring outlaws to justice! All your favorite heroes — Texas Rangers, Pinkerton Agents, bounty hunters, federal marshals, local sheriffs and more, work together (or in some cases, against each other) to bring law and order to an uncivilized land. Follow stories of romance, faith, and redemption as the men and women of the Old West discover what’s worth gambling for — true love!
Upping the Ante
The Civil War Brides Trilogy-during the bloodiest conflict on American soil, two families struggle in the South to not only survive but to thrive.
Saved by Faith
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Healed by Grace
Mail Order Mistakes Series-mail order bride books about women venturing out West to make new lives for themselves. What happens when they decide to take a chance on love along the way?
Mail Order Misfit
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Mail Order Miscast (coming soon)
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Belles of Wyoming Series-centered around the fictional small town of Belle, Wyoming. Each set of books take place during a season of the year in the 1800s.
June’s Remedy
The Window to the Heart Saga is a recountal of the epic journey of Lady Margaret, a young English noblewoman, who through many trials, obstacles, and tragedies, discovers her own inner strength, the sustaining force of faith in God, and the power of family and friends. In this three-part series, experience new places and cultures as the heroine travels from England to France and completes her adventures in America. The series has compelling themes of love, loss, faith and hope with an exceptionally gratifying conclusion.
Trilogy
The English Proposal (Book 1)
The French Encounter (Book 2)
The American Conquest (Book 3)
Spin-offs
The Oregon Pursuit (Book 1)
The White Wedding (Book 2)
The Christmas Bride (Book 3)
The Viscount’s Wife (Book 4)
The Window to the Heart Saga
Trilogy Box Set
The Window to the Heart Saga
Spin-off Books Box Set
The Window to the Heart Saga
Complete Collection Box Set
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The next two billionaire birthday club books
Acknowledgments
My writing journey would not be possible without those who supported me. Since I can remember, writing is the only thing I love to do, and my deepest desire is to share my talent with others.
First and foremost, I am eternally grateful to Jesus, my lord and savior, who created me with this “writing bug” DNA.
In addition, many thanks go to:
My husband, Dustin, and three daughters, Katie, Julie, and Nikki, for loving me and supporting me during all my late-night writing marathons and coffee-infused mornings.
My mother, Connie, for being my first and most honest critic, now and always. As a little girl, sleeping under your desk during late-night deadlines for the local paper showed me what being a dedicated writer looked like.
My angels in heaven: my grandmother, who passed away in 2001; my infant son, Dylan, who was taken by SIDS six years ago; and my father, who left us four years ago.
To Ginny Sterling and Jo Grafford, my best writing buddies, my comrades-in-arms, my sounding boards, my voices of reason
, my partners in all things author. I love you ladies so much.
To my ARC Angels and Beta Bells for taking the time to read my story and give valuable feedback.
And lastly, but so important, to my dedicated readers, who have shared their love of my books with others, helping to spread the words about my stories. Your devotion means a great deal.
About the Author
Jenna Brandt is an international bestselling and award-winning author who writes historical and contemporary romance. Her historical books span from Victorian to Western eras and all of her books have elements of romance, suspense and faith. She has her own best-selling historical series, Window to the Heart Saga and Civil War Brides, as well as contemporary series, Billionaires of Manhattan and Second Chance Islands. Additionally, she’s created two best-selling multi-author series, The Lawkeepers and Disaster City Search and Rescue based off the life of her husband in law enforcement. Both of her books, Waiting on the Billionaire and Lawfully Treasured, were voted into the Top 50 Indie Books of 2018 on Readfreely.com.