by Kathryn Shay
Finishing up, he tied the bottom and Mel handed him a sprig of flowers for the top. Then he repeated the process with Emma.
“Now, come to the mirror.”
Brady stood behind them smiling at the two girls in pink dotted-Swiss dresses. They’d picked out white sandals to wear with them.
Melody peered up at him. Her blue eyes filled with, well, love, a sentiment he totally returned. “You’re beautiful too, Brady.”
He studied himself in the tan suit, a lighter beige shirt with a brown, beige and pink tie. “Ready?”
“Mom’s already there, right?” Melody asked.
“Right. Her friends picked her up earlier.”
“The Sisters of Fire.”
Emma added, “She said we could be their pro—pro…”
“Protégées.”
“Yeah, that. It means we’ll be like them.”
He wanted to agree, but in his heart of hearts, he didn’t want them in a profession that endangered them. He had to struggle every day not to go crazy about Lynne. “Let’s go.”
The girls sat in booster seats in the back and snapped themselves in. Brady drove to church whistling. When they arrived, they went around the path to the back where the rest of the people waited. “Wow, Emma look. They’re all different colors.”
At Lynne’s insistence, each of the Sisters of Fire were in the same gowns they’d worn in Trish’s wedding. Tess’s baby had been born three months before, so she could get into hers. But Trish had borrowed Lynne’s dress and altered it some to fit her big belly. The girls ran to them, and Brady found his dad nearby.
“Time to take our places son.” His father would officiate beneath a beautiful trellis the church had built four years ago.
Instead of any kind of procession, people gathered around in a semi-circle, and Lynne and Brady would stand in the middle. They both wanted this to be a different kind of ceremony. She wanted a different kind of life, and he was doing his best to give it to her.
He and his dad approached the canopy of flowers. The Sisters of Fire stood together in front. Their girls were in their mists.
Taking in a deep breath, Lynne walked out into the backyard of the church with her dad and Phillip on either side. She took a few steps, then her gaze locked on Brady. He was so handsome today, with the sun beating down on his hair, making it lighter. With an adorable grin on his face. And that suit he wore…she couldn’t wait to get it off him.
More importantly he was happy. The incident with Carlton Adams had made them both realize they’d do anything to be together. They’d taken their time coming out to the church members, though, and they eventually told Melody and Emma about their relationship. They planned to be together forever. They’d also built a new house and it would be ready this month. Of course, they still snuck out to the cottage whenever they could.
When she arrived up front and stood close to him, he gave her a sexy once over. “I love the hot pink on you. And the strapless top.” He whispered in her ear that he’d remove it as soon as possible.
She’d been surprised that Brady had, well, a wild side. He was willing to try anything. They’d spent a lot of time in bed learning each other’s bodies. Experimenting with toys. Even body paint in the shower. But it was more than that. They’d done fun activities, taken trips all over the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes. They watched the best movies out this year, and often kiddie ones, curled up on the couch with popcorn and the girls. On evenings when they were alone, they played the wholly-monogamous movies that were a little bit naughty.
And though she, Emma and Phillip hadn’t joined the church, they attended every Sunday. She still had a lot to learn about liberal religion and she and Brady discussed that often.
Interestingly, the teenage girls had flocked around her because of her job. Brady hoped someday she could do a Girls’ Group for them, but she wasn’t ready for that.
She thought back on leaving Dannerville and what she wanted from her new life. She was living differently, that was sure, with her high-action firefighting job and with a new man she’d never imagined in her life.
But right now, she had other things to concentrate on.
“Ready, love?” he asked.
“Ready? I can’t wait to belong to you.”
He winked. “You already do, babe. And I belong to you.”
Together, they turned to his father to legally bind them together and, okay, she’d say it, in the eyes of God.
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Author’s Note
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So, a minister as the hero of a romance novel? Well, yes. I very much wanted to write the story of Lynne Lucas falling for someone who’s totally not what she’s looking for. And, well, Brady Jamison just appeared on the page.
I found it a challenge to make Brady a minister and a healthy modern male. Should I have love scenes? Should his language lapse into some swearing? But I let the writing happen and I ended up with abbreviated love scenes and a bit of swearing, which suits me fine.
Of course, I adored him. He’s such a good man, a normal man with normal urges. In addition, he’s unselfish, caring and loving and he takes risks for the boys in his group. And, of course, he’s the best father ever! But there’s no denying that he should have told Lynne who he was right away. Bad on him.
Lynne came to Crystal Corners for a different way of life. She finds it in firefighting. But she never expected to fall for a minister. And when he tells her the truth, she ends the relationship. They’re both miserable.
Their little girls are the ones who bring them together. And weren’t they just darling? Maybe too good to be true—Phillip’s a more traditional kid—but I don’t change the nature of my characters when they develop naturally on the page.
And of course, the Sisters of Fire are there in full force to support Lynne. I love them more and more with every book I write. I have two close friends like this, but again, wouldn’t it be nice to have a six-person group who loved each other unconditionally?
A DIFFERENT WAY is book five in the series, and there’s only one to go. I dropped few clues to what will happen to Brooke, but I’m confident of her storyline now. And her path to happiness will not be what you expect.
Happy reading. And please let me know what you thought of A DIFFERENT WAY.
Best,
Kathy
Visit or contact Kathryn at www.kathrynshay.com
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Don’t Miss All of the Sisters of Fire Stories
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The Sisters of Fire, a hot new firefighter series, follows the path of six women who trained together and remained friends ten years later.
Book 1: More Than Enough
Hardened firefighter, Trish “Mac” Mackenzie rappels off buildings, saves kids in a car accident and carries victims out of raging fires. But her personal life is a mess. Can Mac fight her way out of abuse and insecurity with the Sisters of Fire, a skilled counselor, and good-guy, kindergarten teacher Nathan Mitchell at her side?
Find MORE THAN ENOUGH on Kobo
Book 2: At Last
Fire Investigator Lieutenant Tess Di Marco has struggled through prejudice against women, a messy divorce and years of training to get what she wants out of life. One constant through the years has been her mentor and friend, Captain David Ashford, a now-widowed arson investigator. But what happens when sparks of a different kind erupt between them?
Find AT LAST on Kobo
Book 3: No Easy Choice
Firefighter Annie Ferris O’Shea has it all: an idyllic marriage to her high school sweetheart, an exciting career and a circle of wonderful friends. But when she gets pregnant, everything changes. Will she and Colin be
able to adapt to a new lifestyle or will their lives dissolve into old patterns and expected roles in society?
Find NO EASY CHOICE on Kobo
Book 4: Equal Partners
At thirty-five, Firefighter Julie “JJ” Jensen runs circles around most firefighters. When her talent leads to a fast-tracked promotion, she loses her boyfriend and gains colleagues who resent her. Enter Dr. Nick Barrows, a surprise suitor who makes her forget her name. Will he support JJ through the complications of her career and merging their very different lives or hold her back from professional success?
Find EQUAL PARTNERS on Kobo
Book 5: A Different Way
When Battalion Chief Lynn Lucas’ marriage turns cold and she can no longer tolerate the inactivity of a small township firehouse, she decides to change her life. But when she meets Brady Jamison, a younger man with a secret, will she lose sight of her goals once again?
Find A DIFFERENT WAY on Kobo
Book 6: To Trust Again
Battalion Chief Brooke Cartwright lost her husband Zach, and she’s not looking to replace him. But will Cord Remington, a man from her past, be enough for her to trust in fate again?
Find TO TRUST AGAIN on Kobo
Excerpt
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Sisters of Fire, Book 6
TO TRUST AGAIN
“I’m going to miss you so much, honey.”
Jordan held onto Brooke like he had when he was little and leaving for camp. “I don’t have to go, Mom. I can stay home for the school year.”
Over his younger brother’s shoulder, Grayson shook his head. “Me, too. I can still go to school closer. Elmwood College will take me this late.”
“No to both of you. But the offers warm my heart.” Brooke stepped back. “Now scoot. Anything you forgot to pack I can send to Italy.” Where he’d be studying architecture his senior year.
“I’ll be home at Christmas.”
“Maybe sooner for me,” Gray promised.
“We’ll see.”
“Love you, Mom.”
They watched Jordan go through security, her heart twisting in her chest. Please let him be all right.
“Now,” she said, turning to Gray. “Let’s get you a cab back to UCLA.”
Gray’s eyes misted. “It sucks leaving you alone. Dad wouldn’t approve of both of us taking off.”
“Dad would definitely approve. He’d want what’s best for you, as I do. We fulfilled all his wishes, so we have to move on.” Those had included scattering his ashes across the Pacific, which he loved to fly over.
“Not too fast though.” Gray adored his dad, and after a year, still mourned deeply over his death. “I’ll call once a week.”
“For a while you might. Then it’ll taper off so don’t worry about that either. I have a life, Gray, even though dad’s gone.”
“At least you’re better than you were a year ago, but I know Dad can’t be replaced in your heart.” Both boys had always resembled her and Zach, but it seemed that gradually Gray looked more like dad. He added, “I love you, Mom,” and walked out the door to grab transportation.
Brooke battled back tears. Eventually, she calmed, found her own gate and caught the redeye back east. She slept most of the night. When she arrived in Syracuse, she was in good enough shape to drive down to Crystal City and got to the fire academy in time for her ten o’clock meeting. Though she dreaded it. Could anything be more boring than fire engineering?
But the department did need to train in new systems that would meet the standards put in place by New York State. Brooke had no choice but to be on board. She’d meet with Patrick Patel, a rep for Fire Engineering Incorporated, which moved their headquarters to Elmwood recently.
With graciousness and feigned interest, she walked into the chief’s office.
“There she is,” Joe Redman said cheerfully. “Fresh off the plane, I think.”
She smiled at Redman. “Well, I did drive back from Syracuse, too.” She turned to the rep. But the man in the chair who’d been talking to the chief wasn’t Patrick Patel. Her heart began to gallop in her chest.
“Cord, this is Brooke Cartwright. Brooke, Cord Remington, the CEO of FEI.”
He stood.
Finally, she regained her composure. “Cord, nice to see you again.”
Always an attractive man, he still had dark wavy hair, now shot through with strands of gray. His eyes were mesmerizing, almost silver, with dark rims of black.
“You too, Brooke. I understand you’re a Battalion Chief.”
“Yes.”
“You two know each other?” Redman asked.
“Yes. Decades ago.”
“We can catch up later.” Cord spoke with a strong, clear voice while hers came out shaky. “Let me tell you what services we provide.”
They sat. Cord talked, but Brooke didn’t hear anything but sound of the blood pounding in her ears…
It was twilight and Cord pulled her close to him on the front stoop of her small house. He smelled of the outdoors. “Time’s up, already.”
“I know. It goes by fast.” She kissed the hands that held hers.
“When can I see you again?”
“I’ll text you.”
His eyes glowed like mercury. “Honey, I’m getting sick of this dallying.”
“So am I.” A voice came from behind them. “At least I would be if I’d know about all this.”
Brooke froze, then she managed to turn around. Her husband Zach stood on the sidewalk in his pilot’s uniform of crisp white hat, navy trousers and white shirt.
Zach was home early from a trip.
“I want to know one thing.” Her husband’s voice was full of hurt and outrage. “Did you sleep with him?”
“No.”
“Then you have to choose, Brooke. Him or me…”
About the Author
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A NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY bestselling author, Kathryn Shay has been a lifelong writer and teacher. She has written dozens of self-published original romance titles, print books with the Berkley Publishing Group and Harlequin Enterprises and mainstream women’s fiction with Bold Strokes Books. She has won many awards for her work: five RT Book Reviews awards, the Bookseller’s Best Award, Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year and several “Starred Reviews.” One of her firefighter books hit #20 on the NEW YORK TIMES list. Her novels have been serialized in COSMOPOLITAN magazine and featured in USA TODAY, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL and PEOPLE magazine. There are over ten million copies of her books in print and downloaded online. Reviewers have called her work “emotional and heart-wrenching.”
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