Fire and Rain

by Andrew Grey

  Jos excused himself and went upstairs, saying he needed to check on the boys. While he did, he also needed a few seconds to himself. Even now, Kip’s thoughtfulness and the kindness of his new friends sometimes took him by surprise.

  The boys had been quiet, which was not necessarily a good thing. He found them in Isaac’s room on the floor with every Lego in the house piled around them. Goodness knew what they were building, but they seemed to be having a ball. “We’re going to put out snacks, so come down in a few minutes if you want some.”

  “Strawberries?” Isaac asked. He’d seen the packages earlier and had his eye on them.

  “Yes,” Jos answered, and Isaac looked at Alex, licking his lips.

  “Uncle Kip got a chocolate cake, too,” Isaac shared. They were still trying to figure out the whole thing around what to call Kip, and Jos figured he’d let Isaac choose. For now he was Uncle Kip, but who knew what Isaac would call him in the future.

  “And Uncle Terry brought pumpkin pie,” Jos said.

  Isaac made a face. “I only like Halloween pumpkins, not eating pumpkins,” he said, and Alex nodded. They were obviously chocolate cake guys.

  “You can have whatever you want after dinner. So finish up here, and then you can join us.” Jos smiled and went back downstairs. The television was on, the announcer already starting on the first game of the day. Kip was in the kitchen working on dinner, which was coming along amazingly well. Everything was cooking now. Jos got the appetizers set up and carried them into the living room before calling the boys to come down. They sounded like a herd of elephants on the stairs.

  The guys helped them with the food, and Jos went back into the kitchen so Kip wouldn’t be in there all day.

  It took an hour, but dinner was finally on the table: carved turkey, potatoes regular and sweet, beans, cranberry sauce, salad, gravy, and stuffing—from a box, but he wasn’t telling anyone else that. The candles were lit and the nice glasses held wine and water. Jos called everyone in, and he and Carter got the boys settled into their special places at the end of the table. Everyone took their places, and the food was passed around until they all had some of everything.

  “Can you believe we pulled this off?” Kip said, and everyone at the table nodded. It had been a miracle that Carter and Kip had managed to get the holiday off and that they had been able to schedule dinner around Red’s shift.

  “Miracles do happen,” Red said, looking straight at Terry.

  Donald and Carter nodded at each other, and Carter leaned close to Alex, taking his little hand for a second.

  Jos did the same thing to Isaac and swallowed hard. In a way, they had all gotten their own brand of miracle. Jos certainly counted himself lucky each and every day that he had Kip.

  “Is Mama watching us from where the angels are?” Isaac asked.

  “You bet she is,” Kip answered, “and I think she’s smiling.” That seemed to be the answer Isaac wanted, and he grinned and went right back to eating. Kip shared a smile with Jos and took his hand under the table.

  “You were our miracle,” Jos said quietly.

  “I was just about to say that you and Isaac were mine.”

  Jos swallowed hard and reached for his glass. Kip did the same and then stood. “I promise to make this short and sweet so we can all eat—won’t that be a treat?” Everyone groaned, and Jos rolled his eyes. Sometimes Kip could be too cute for words. “All right, then, how about this…?” He raised his glass. “To family.” Everyone stood, and six glasses met in the center of the table.

  More from Andrew Grey

  Carlisle Cops: Book One

  Officer Red Markham knows about the ugly side of life after a car accident left him scarred and his parents dead. His job policing the streets of Carlisle, PA, only adds to the ugliness, and lately, drug overdoses have been on the rise. One afternoon, Red is dispatched to the local Y for a drowning accident involving a child. Arriving on site, he finds the boy rescued by lifeguard Terry Baumgartner. Of course, Red isn’t surprised when gorgeous Terry won’t give him and his ugly mug the time of day.

  Overhearing one of the officers comment about him being shallow opens Terry’s eyes. Maybe he isn’t as kindhearted as he always thought. His friend Julie suggests he help those less fortunate by delivering food to the elderly. On his route he meets outspoken Margie, a woman who says what’s on her mind. Turns out, she’s Officer Red’s aunt.

  Red and Terry’s worlds collide as Red tries to track the source of the drugs and protect Terry from an ex-boyfriend who won’t take no for an answer. Together they might discover a chance for more than they expected—if they can see beyond what’s on the surface.

  Carlisle Cops: Book Two

  Carter Schunk is a dedicated police officer with a difficult past and a big heart. When he’s called to a domestic disturbance, he finds a fatally injured woman, and a child, Alex, who is in desperate need of care. Child Services is called, and the last man on earth Carter wants to see walks through the door. Carter had a fling with Donald a year ago and found him as cold as ice since it ended.

  Donald (Ice) Ickle has had a hard life he shares with no one, and he’s closed his heart to all. It’s partly to keep himself from getting hurt and partly the way he deals with a job he’s good at, because he does what needs to be done without getting emotionally involved. When he meets Carter again, he maintains his usual distance, but Carter gets under his skin, and against his better judgment, Donald lets Carter guilt him into taking Alex when there isn’t other foster care available. Carter even offers to help care for the boy.

  Donald has a past he doesn’t want to discuss with anyone, least of all Carter, who has his own past he’d just as soon keep to himself. But it’s Alex’s secrets that could either pull them together or rip them apart—secrets the boy isn’t able to tell them and yet could be the key to happiness for all of them.

  Theatrical agent Payton Gowan meets with former classmate—and prospective client—Beckett Huntington with every intention of brushing him off. Beckett not only made high school a living hell for Payton, but he was also responsible for dashing Payton’s dreams of becoming a Broadway star.

  Aspiring actor Beckett Huntington arrives in New York City on a wing and a prayer, struggling to land his first gig. He knows scoring Payton Gowan as an agent would be a great way to get his foot in the door, but with their history, getting the chance is going to be a tough sell.

  Against Payton’s better judgment, he agrees to give Beckett a chance, only to discover—to his amazement—that Beckett actually does have talent.

  Payton signs Beckett but can’t trust him—until Payton’s best friend, Val, is attacked. When Beckett is there for him, Payton begins to see another side to his former bully. Amidst attempts by a jealous agent to sabotage Beckett’s career and tear apart their blossoming love, Payton and Beckett must learn to let go of the past if they have any chance at playing out a future together.

  For years, Clayton Potter’s been friends and workout partners with Ronnie. Though Clay is attracted, he’s never come on to Ronnie because, let’s face it, Ronnie only dates women.

  When Clay’s father suffers a heart attack, Ronnie, having recently lost his dad, springs into action, driving Clay to the hospital over a hundred miles away. To stay close to Clay’s father, the men share a hotel room near the hospital, but after an emotional day, one thing leads to another, and straight-as-an-arrow Ronnie make a proposal that knocks Clay’s socks off! Just a little something to take the edge off.

  Clay responds in a way he’s never considered. After an amazing night together, Clay expects Ronnie to ignore what happened between them and go back to his old life. Ronnie surprises him and seems interested in additional exploration. Though they’re friends, Clay suddenly finds it hard to accept the new Ronnie and suspects that Ronnie will return to his old ways. Maybe they both have a thing or two to learn.

  Sequel to Backwards

  Bronco’s Boys: Book Four

  When it c
omes to love, Kevin Foster can’t seem to win. Some consider him a hero, but dousing an arsonist’s attempt to burn Bronco’s to the ground puts Kevin on the vengeful criminal’s radar. Afterward, the arsonist fixates on Kevin, determined to burn away every part of Kevin’s life.

  Coming to Kevin’s rescue more than once, and in more ways than one, is “MacDreamy Hotness”—firefighter Angus MacTavish. Not only is Angus smitten at first sight, he learns Kevin’s nickname for him, intriguing him further.

  When Angus discovers Kevin is the arsonist’s target, he takes it upon himself to protect him at any cost. Soon Kevin works his way into a heart Angus thought he’d closed off for good. Things heat up between them, but the arsonist has no intention of letting Kevin finally find happiness. Hopefully Angus and Kevin can stop him before he reduces everything Kevin values to ash—including the love igniting between him and Angus.

  Readers love the Carlisle Cops series by Andrew Grey

  Fire and Water

  “All of Andrew Grey’s books are good, but I think I just found a new favorite!”

  —Love Bytes

  “Once again, Grey delivers flawed but genuine characters that you can’t help but love… I enjoyed every minute of this sweet and lovable comfort read.”

  —Prism Book Alliance

  “Grey’s writing in this story was phenomenal. It was such a beautiful story.”

  —It’s About The Book

  Fire and Ice

  “I am continually amazed with Grey’s imagination. He constantly comes up with fresh new story ideas to keep his readers entertained and chomping at the bit for the next story.”

  —TTC Books and More

  “This is a story that touches the heart as well as heats the blood. I hope we see more of the Carlisle Cops in the future!”

  —House of Millar

  “Andrew Grey does it again and I look forward to more in this series.”

  —Rainbow Gold Reviews

  ANDREW GREY grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived all over the country and traveled throughout the world. He has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and now works full-time on his writing. Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing). He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving husband. Andrew currently lives in beautiful historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

  E-mail: andrewgrey@comcast.net

  By Andrew Grey

  Accompanied by a Waltz

  Between Loathing and Love

  Crossing Divides

  Dominant Chord

  Dutch Treat

  Eastern Cowboy

  Eyes Only for Me

  In Search of a Story

  North to the Future

  One Good Deed

  Path Not Taken

  Saving Faithless Creek

  Shared Revelations

  Stranded • Taken

  Three Fates (Multiple Author Anthology)

  To Have, Hold, and Let Go

  Whipped Cream

  HOLIDAY STORIES

  Copping a Sweetest Day Feel • Cruise for Christmas

  A Lion in Tails • Mariah the Christmas Moose

  A Present in Swaddling Clothes • Simple Gifts

  Snowbound in Nowhere • Stardust

  ART

  Legal Artistry • Artistic Appeal • Artistic Pursuits • Legal Tender

  BOTTLED UP

  The Best Revenge • Bottled Up • Uncorked • An Unexpected Vintage

  BRONCO’S BOYS

  Inside Out • Upside Down • Backward • Round and Round

  THE BULLRIDERS

  A Wild Ride • A Daring Ride • A Courageous Ride

  BY FIRE

  Redemption by Fire • Strengthened by Fire • Burnished by Fire • Heat Under Fire

  CARLISLE COPS

  Fire and Water

  Fire and Ice

  Fire and Rain

  CHEMISTRY

  Organic Chemistry • Biochemistry • Electrochemistry

  GOOD FIGHT

  The Good Fight • The Fight Within • The Fight for Identity • Takoda and Horse

  LAS VEGAS ESCORTS

  The Price • The Gift

  LOVE MEANS…

  Love Means… No Shame • Love Means… Courage

  Love Means… No Boundaries

  Love Means… Freedom • Love Means … No Fear

  Love Means… Healing

  Love Means… Family • Love Means… Renewal • Love Means… No Limits

  Love Means… Patience • Love Means… Endurance

  SENSES

  Love Comes Silently • Love Comes in Darkness

  Love Comes Home • Love Comes Around

  Love Comes Unheard

  SEVEN DAYS

  Seven Days • Unconditional Love

  STORIES FROM THE RANGE

  A Shared Range • A Troubled Range • An Unsettled Range

  A Foreign Range • An Isolated Range • A Volatile Range • A Chaotic Range

  TALES FROM KANSAS

  Dumped in Oz • Stuck in Oz • Trapped in Oz

  TASTE OF LOVE

  A Taste of Love • A Serving of Love • A Helping of Love

  A Slice of Love

  WITHOUT BORDERS

  A Heart Without Borders • A Spirit Without Borders

  WORK OUT

  Spot Me • Pump Me Up • Core Training • Crunch Time

  Positive Resistance • Personal Training • Cardio Conditioning

  Work Me Out (Anthology)

  Published by DREAMSPINNER PRESS

  www.dreamspinnerpress.com

  Published by

  Dreamspinner Press

  5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886 USA

  www.dreamspinnerpress.com

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of author imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Fire and Rain

  © 2016 Andrew Grey.

  Cover Art

  © 2016 L.C. Chase.

  http://www.lcchase.com

  Cover content is for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted on the cover is a model.

  All rights reserved. This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of international copyright law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines, and/or imprisonment. Any eBook format cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Dreamspinner Press, 5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886, USA, or www.dreamspinnerpress.com.

  ISBN: 978-1-63476-849-8

  Digital ISBN: 978-1-63476-850-4

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2015918428

  Published January 2016

  v. 1.0

  Printed in the United States of America