Rescue My Heart: Park City Firefighter Romance
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Rescue My Heart
Park City Firefighter Romance
Christine Kersey
Contents
Note to Readers
Book Description
Foreword
Introduction
Books by Christine Kersey
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
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Excerpt from Rescue Me
Excerpt from Two Hearts Rescue
Extras
Books by Christine Kersey
About the Author
Note to Readers
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Author’s Note: The Park City Fire Department is a fictional department that blends elements and cultures of various American fire departments. The authors of the Park City Firefighter Romance Series based the characters and the department on interviews with firefighters from various agencies in multiple states, as well as the fifteen years of firefighter/paramedic experience of one of the authors of this series It is not intended to represent or resemble Park City Fire District.
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
Rescue My Heart
Copyright © 2016 by Christine Kersey
Cover by Novak Illustration
All rights reserved
No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.
eBook Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people.
Discover other exciting titles by Christine Kersey available through her official author website: ChristineKersey.com or through most online retailers.
Created with Vellum
Book Description
New to Park City, Lacey Porter isn't looking for love, but when she comes face to face with hot firefighter Jake, she may change her mind.
After escaping a stifling relationship, Lacey Porter moves to Park City, Utah eager to enjoy her newfound freedom and to renew her love of drawing. When an accident at work brings her face to face with Jake Davis, hot firefighter, and the same guy who helped her on the side of the road a few days before, she can't stop thinking about his good looks and kind heart--but there's no way she can trust herself after her last relationship fail.
Jake Davis has it all--his dream job firefighting, extra work as a part-time realtor, plenty of women around to date casually...life couldn't get much better. He never expected to meet a woman who seemed so strong yet vulnerable. Something about Lacey touches him, but when she continually rebuffs his attempts to go out, he wonders if he'll get a chance to know the real her.
BONUS: Includes the first chapter of Rescue Me and Two Hearts Rescue.
Foreword
by Cami Checketts
Before we began Park City Firefighter Romance, I only knew Christine Kersey as one of my favorite romantic suspense authors. I have to admit, when we met at the fire station where our fellow author, Daniel Banner, is working, I was a bit intimidated to meet Christine. I was thrilled as I got to know her and realized she is as kind and genuine as she is talented. Collaborating on the series, I grew to appreciate her talents and hard work even more and am happy to count her as one of my friends.
You will love this fast-paced, romantic story by the fabulously talented Christine Kersey.
Cami Checketts, author of the bestselling Billionaire Bride Pact Romances
Introduction
by Daniel Banner
A Conversation from Summer 2016
3 Bestselling Authors (Checketts, Hart, and Kersey): Hey Daniel, we’re writing a firefighter romance series. Do you want—
Me (on the inside): Yes I totally do, oh, I can’t wait, how long should my book be, when should I have it done holy cow you ladies are the greatest ever of all time!
Me (on the outside): Cool. Why me?
3 Bestselling Authors: You’re a firefighter. Oh, and uh, you have mad writing and editing skills.
3 Bestselling Authors (to each other): Should we tell him Nicolas Sparks wasn’t available?
Six months, seven million emails, and dozens of interviews later, four Park City Firefighter Romance books are ready to thrill you, touch you, inspire you, and make you swoon.
In my 15 years on the job, I’ve worked side-by-side with over a thousand of America’s Bravest. The men and women I’ve known make excellent studies for romance characters because they are fit, selfless, daring, passionate and without exception—imperfect. Kersey, Hart, and Checketts (dare I include myself?) have captured the essence of the beautifully flawed lives that so often result from a career that injects its members into the public’s worst day. When true love is added to the mix, sparks fly and things really heat up.
Experience the bravery, the struggle, the emotional pain, and the passion of heroes as they face their fears, their demons, and their pasts en route to finding lasting love. It may just surprise you who is the hero and who is the one in need of rescue.
It is my pleasure to introduce the Park City Firefighter Romance Series.
Daniel Banner, Author of Two Hearts Rescue
Books by Christine Kersey
Park City Firefighter Romance
Rescue My Heart
Emerald Falls Romance Series
Crushing On You: Travis and Gabriella (An Emerald Falls Romance, Book One)
Dangerous Lies: Sawyer and Amethyst (An Emerald Falls Romance, Book Two)
Searching for Love
Falling for You (Searching for Love, Book One)
Finding Reese (Searching for Love, Book Two)
Surrender My Heart (Searching for Love, Book Three)
Bring Me Home (Searching for Love, Book Four)
Lily’s Story
He Loves Me Not (Lily’s Story, Book 1)
Don’t Look Back (Lily’s Story, Book 2)
Love At Last (Lily’s Story, Book 3)
Life Imperfect (Lily’s Story, Book 4)
Parallel Trilogy
Gone (Parallel Trilogy, Book 1)
Imprisoned (Parallel Trilogy, Book 2)
Hunted (Parallel Trilogy, Book 3)
After (a parallel story)
The Other Morgan (a parallel story)
Over You Series
Over You
Second Chances (sequel to Over You)
Witness Series
Witness (Witness, Book 1)
Retribution (Witness, Book 2)
Standalone Books
Suspicions
No Way Out
Box Sets
Parallel Trilogy
Lily’s Story
Searching for Love bundle
One
“Well, isn’t this just perfect?” Lacey Porter murmured as her car sputtered before the engine shut down. Coasting onto the shoulder of the road, she glanced at the gas gauge where the needle had settled below the E, which was the kind of thing that happened when she got too focused on drawing.
Frowning, she shifted into Park, turned on the hazard lights, then pulled the key out of the ignition. Now she might be late for work. Not good.
The thought of turning up late when she was such a new employee stressed her out. Trying to calm herself, she leaned her head back and closed her eyes, then drew in a deep breath and slowly exhaled as she thought about what was going right in her life.
She had a job, even if being a waitress wasn’t her lifelong ambition. Her bestie Amber was letting her room with her. And she was loving it in Park City. Even though moving there had been hard, she knew it had been the right decision.
She thought about the life she had left behind and a tentative smile curved her mouth. Most importantly, no one was telling her what to do and how to live her life. Her life belonged to her.
Then an image of Eric—her ex-boyfriend, the man to whom she had given the last two years of her life—crashed into her mind. She could hear him saying that she needed to get her head out of the clouds, to pay attention to things and to stop wasting her time drawing.
Eyes flying open, she sat up straight. Shoving her long brown hair behind her ears, Lacey tried not to grit her teeth as she recalled that last ugly confrontation with Eric. The one where she’d told him she was done with him, done with the way he always ran her down, and done with his controlling ways.
Shaking her head to dislodge the memory, she focused on her surroundings. It was mid-day in early June, and as she sat on the shoulder of the road, cars whizzed by every thirty seconds or so. To her right, thick bunches of dark green pine trees filled her view while clusters of wildflowers in riots of color caught her eye. The scene reminded her that every year nature refreshed itself, which filled her with hope that she could make a fresh start too.
The image made her want to pull out her sketchpad and begin a fresh drawing. She reached toward the passenger seat where she had set her sketchpad, then paused. She didn’t have time to draw just then. Especially with her car out of gas. She had to get that taken care of and get herself to work.
Caty, her boss at Caty’s Cuisine, had been understanding the last time Lacey had been late, but she didn’t want to push her luck. Not with how desperately she needed this job. Not with being such a new employee.
Sighing, she took her cell phone out of her purse, but then she simply stared at it. Amber was at work for a few more hours so she couldn’t come get her, and with being so new to Park City, she didn’t know who else she could call.
A moment later she heard a tap, tap, tap on her window. Startled, she whipped her head to the left and saw the most gorgeous man she had ever seen standing there. Perfectly shaped lips, strong jaw, and clear green eyes that reminded her of new shoots of grass. Not to mention the way his t-shirt emphasized his fit body and muscular biceps.
He motioned for her to roll her window down, and she lowered it a few inches.
“Do you need help?” he asked as he bent toward her window.
Feeling slightly stupid, she said, “I, uh, I ran out of gas.”
He smiled, displaying perfectly straight white teeth, and she was momentarily dazzled by his beauty. “I can give you a lift to a gas station,” he said. “If that would help.”
Yeah. It definitely would. But she didn’t know him.
Staring at him a moment, she debated about what to do as she twisted her favorite ring—her late grandmother’s wedding ring—on her finger. She didn’t know who else to call and she needed to get this taken care of and get to work. She didn’t have a lot of options. Or a lot of money.
Tossing him a quick smile, she said, “Yeah. That would be great.” Then she opened her door and got out of her car.
The man took a step back, giving her room, then he gestured to the area in front of her car where they would be out of traffic. Lacey walked to where he pointed.
The man followed her and stopped a few feet away from her. “I have a gas can. I’ll run you up to the gas station and back.”
Trying not to get distracted by his amazing eyes and general hotness, Lacey said, “Are you sure that’s not too much trouble?” Then she told herself not to discourage him. What would she do if he walked away? Who would she call then?
“No. It’s no trouble. I’m glad to help.” He paused a beat. “I’m Jake, by the way.”
Lacey studied his face. “I’m Lacey.”
Was this really a good idea? Getting a ride from a stranger? Not sure at all, she didn’t know what else to do.
The caution in Lacey’s eyes was unmistakable, but that didn’t bother Jake. In fact, he fully approved when a woman was skeptical about a man. He had two younger sisters and he hoped they were just as careful about the men in their lives. He also hoped they wouldn’t ever take a ride from a stranger.
The irony wasn’t lost on him and one side of his mouth tugged upward. Then it occurred to him that Lacey had no idea he was a good guy. That maybe she didn’t want to go anywhere with him but felt that she didn’t have any other options. “Or I could get the gas for you,” he said. “And bring it back?”
Relief lit her eyes and Jake knew that was the right suggestion.
“I don’t want to inconvenience you,” she said as she used one hand to push her hair behind her ear—hair that Jake had an inexplicable desire to run his fingers through.
“I don’t mind,” he said. And he didn’t. He was between shifts at the firehouse, and though he was on his way to buy materials for his home remodeling project, his helpful streak made this opportunity irresistible. Especially when such a beautiful woman was involved. And though he was fine with running the errand for her, he would have preferred that she go with him so he could talk to her.
A smile of obvious relief turned up the corners of her mouth, which emphasized the soft curves of her face and backlit her blue eyes—eyes which had a depth to them that fascinated him.
Yeah, he would definitely like to get to know her.
“I really appreciate it,” she said. “I’ll just…” She gestured toward her car. “I’ll just wait in my car.” Then she walked past him, and after throwing a smile in his direction, she climbed into her car and closed the door.
He figured that was his cue to leave.
Feeling dismissed, but with no reason to stick around, Jake nodded, then as he walked past her slightly open window, he said, “Back in a bit.”
Moments later he was in his truck and pulling onto the road.
All the way to the gas station he thought about Lacey—beautiful, petite, quiet. Maybe he should ask her out. Why not? He wasn’t dating anyone just then. Not now that Robyn was gone.
Pushing aside thoughts of the last woman he’d dated, he pictured Lacey, and again the depths he had seen in her eyes haunted him.
Just a simple date, a chance to get to know her. He wasn’t looking for a romantic entanglement. Not with his crazy schedule—two days on at the station, then four days off. And not with all of the other things he had going on—remodeling his house and working part-time as a realtor between shifts. Not to mention helping Boston train for his boxing match.
It would just be for fun. Why not?
His smile grew.
He would do just that. And he was confident she would agree.
Two
Lacey felt terribly guilty that she had let Jake get the gas for her while she waited in her car. It wasn’t that she was worried about going with a stranger—although that was certainly one fa
ctor. More than that, she didn’t like the idea of someone having to go to so much trouble for her. Especially when the man didn’t know her at all. The thought of her carelessness causing someone else to have an extra burden placed upon them sent a squeezing sensation around her chest.
But she knew it was okay. Not everyone would act as put out as Eric always did whenever she asked him to do something for her.
Knowing she didn’t have to think about pleasing Eric any longer, Lacey settled into her seat, her body relaxing. She had to focus on herself and what made her happy.
Nodding with determination, she glanced at the time on her phone as a new worry presented itself.
What if Jake didn’t come back? He certainly had better things to do than come to the rescue of a woman he didn’t even know, and as the minutes ticked by, Lacey became more certain that he would not be returning.
Maybe she should call an Uber to come get her. Then she looked in her wallet and reminded herself that she couldn’t afford that and gas. Sighing in despair, she stared out the window and willed Jake to reappear, thinking that she should have gone with him while she’d had the chance.
Torn between what would have gotten her on her way quicker versus what felt more comfortable, she chewed on her lip as she tried to figure out her next move.
Moments later Jake’s silver truck came into view. Almost disbelieving, Lacy laughed in relief, then she watched as he drove slightly past her, made a U-turn on the road, then parked behind her on the shoulder. He climbed out, and as he approached her car, gas can in hand, Lacy couldn’t miss the confident way he moved. As if he knew his place in the world.