The lights of the fire truck broke through the smoke and just as Sam was ready to claim another victory a loud crash behind him nearly knocked him off balance. He spun around, his eyes taking in the partially collapsed ceiling, and the man who was feet away from safety trapped beneath the rubble.
The man reached out to Sam, his face twisted in fear and his eyes wild with terror. Sam acted fast, looking for a path, a single opening to get through the debris.
“I don’t want to die,” the man said, and for a split second the victim became a friendly face. A man Sam knew that had a family that needed him. A man who was only just starting his life.
Sam swallowed down his own rising panic. Panic never helped a situation. It never solved a problem. He needed to think, he needed to move, and he needed to do it now.
He spotted a break within the debris and ran toward it, but before he made it the weight of the world fell on his shoulders. Unable to fight against the heavy mass, he fell to the ground with a thud.
Pain shot through his body, but he didn’t have time to hurt. He pushed up with his hands, but only half his body moved. He tugged at his leg and twisted back and forth, using every ounce of energy he had to free himself. Liquid fire exploded in his chest as his adrenaline kicked in.
He yanked at his leg and a scream ripped from his throat as hot throbbing pain overpowered him. Heat crept into his veins, and his body shook with exertion.
His fingers dug into the floorboards as he tried to claw his way to freedom, but no matter how hard he tried he couldn’t break free.
“No!” The man’s voice echoed through the crackling fire and Sam met his gaze. “I’m going to die.”
Sam bit back the tears that threatened. He was helpless against the rising heat, against the clock ticking down on what little oxygen they had left, but he wasn’t ready to accept defeat.
“That’s not an option,” Sam called out to him. “Stay with me. Everything will be okay.”
Flames leapt across the fallen debris, cutting them off completely.
“No!” Sam slammed his fist into the floor beneath him. Anger and uncertainty swirled together, but he fought the unhelpful thoughts. “Everything will be okay,” Sam said again. “Everything will be okay.”
Hadley’s face flashed into his mind. Those beautiful slate blue eyes had the ability to look deep into his soul. Her dirty blonde hair always had a piece of hay in it, and he’d wanted so desperately to tuck it back behind her ears. Her rose colored lips curved upward, and he focused on that, finding peace within her smile.
His personal alarm safety system went off, alerting his men that he was down.
“Get him out of there now!” Matt’s voice drifted into the house then everything went silent.
Sam held onto the image of Hadley’s face, allowing her smile to help him fight the darkness, but even she couldn’t help him now.
“I love you, and I’m sorry,” he said just as he slipped into the blackness.
Chapter 2
5 months earlier
After a successful day of rescuing a family of five that swerved off the road to avoid a deer, Sam walked into Calhoun’s ready to unwind and throw back a beer.
There weren’t many places in Red Maple Falls where Sam could go that wasn’t full of people he’d known since he was a kid, but Calhoun’s sat on the town border, making it close enough to the outside world and brought people in from other towns. It’s where he went whenever he was in need of a woman’s companionship. Calhoun’s always guaranteed a good time that ended up in the back of a car down some desolate road.
Tonight though, he wasn’t looking for a good time—not that he would dismiss the opportunity if it arose—he just wanted to catch up with his best friend. They’d both been so busy, especially since Matt was a new father that they hadn’t had as many chances to hang out.
Declan, the bar owner, and one of Sam’s good friends, held his arms up when he spotted Sam. “Sam my man,” he said as Sam approached. “Your usual?”
Sam nodded as he slipped onto one of the barstools. Declan disappeared for a second then returned, pushing a pint glass filled with Sam’s favorite IPA across the bar top.
“Thanks.” Sam picked it up and took a sip, his eyes settling on a brunette at the far end of the bar. Her shirt dipped low in the front, and she leaned forward showing him exactly what she had to offer. A tempting sight, but if he abandoned ship to go after a girl before Matt even showed up, Matt would never let him live it down. So he swallowed down the desire to go to her and instead flashed her a smile.
He turned back to Declan and took another swig from his glass. “Good fucking beer,” he said.
A hard hand clamped down on his shoulder and gave him a shake. Sam put his glass on the bar before he wound up wearing his drink.
“That’s because my brother is the master,” Matt said, referring to his brother Mason who owned Five Leaf Brewery and was the genius behind the beer Sam was drinking.
Sam smirked. “Too bad that gene skipped right over you.”
“Hey, I’m a master in many things,” Matt said as he slid onto the stool next to Sam. He must’ve stopped home and changed out of his Sheriff’s uniform since he was in jeans and a dark green thermal.
“Driving everyone crazy doesn’t count.”
Matt nodded to Declan who grabbed a glass and started filling it.
“I think that’s a pretty damn good skill,” Matt joked.
“You’re the only one.”
Declan returned, sliding Matt’s drink across the counter. Sam took a glance back to the brunette and caught her staring at him. He gave her a wink and watched the sexy blush spread across her cheeks before turning back to his friends.
“How’s fatherhood treating you?” Declan asked Matt.
“Pretty great actually.”
Matt being the oldest out of six was destined to be a father. It was in his blood unlike Sam who wouldn’t burden any kid with his tainted bloodline.
“Wait until the kid can talk back,” Sam said. “I personally am looking forward to it. If he’s anything like you.” Sam shook his head and laughed. “Your poor wife.”
Matt got a stupid grin on his face at the mention of his wife. “Shay married me. She knew what she was getting into.”
“The woman’s a saint,” Sam said. “I don’t know how she deals with you.” Sam was mostly joking, but it was no secret that Matt could be overprotective, overbearing and basically a pain in the ass toward the people he loved. It came from a good place which was why Sam felt it was okay to joke about it.
“Because when you love someone you can look past all of that.”
“Did you read that in a Hallmark card?”
Matt laughed. “Shut up, asshole.”
Sam gave another quick glance over his shoulder to the brunette instantly meeting her gaze.
“Don’t you ever get bored of it?” Matt asked, bringing Sam’s attention back to him.
“Bored of what?”
“Sleeping with random girls. Never having anything last past morning.”
“Nope.”
Matt gave him a skeptical look then quickly shook his head. “What the hell am I saying? You weren’t cut out for long term relationships. I’d honestly feel sorry for whatever girl sunk her claws into you. You’re incapable of staying faithful.”
Sam patted Matt’s shoulder. “Thank you for finally realizing that.”
“It wasn’t a compliment.”
“I know.”
Matt rolled his eyes and went to take a sip of his beer when his cell rang. He fished it out of his pocket and while he was busy Sam turned back to the brunette. He didn’t have any plans to get laid tonight, but when a beautiful brunette was practically undressing him with his eyes, there was no way he could walk away from the chance.
“Hey, Hads. What’s up?” Matt said and Sam turned to ease drop on Matt’s conversation with his sister. “I’m working a double. I can’t.”
“What’s
she need?” Sam asked.
Matt pushed the phone away from his mouth. “She’s picking up a foster in Mass and wanted me to go for the ride.”
“When?”
“Tomorrow morning.”
“I’ll go,” Sam offered without hesitation.
Hadley had been fostering dogs for the past five years and Sam admired her devotion to the four-legged fur balls. He wouldn’t mind taking a ride with her to go help out another dog in need. Truth was, somewhere along the way, the little girl with the pigtails that used to climb trees and play with all the farm animals, including the chickens, became one of his closest friends.
He loved spending time with Hadley and since he had the day off tomorrow he didn’t mind spending it in a car with her.
“Sam said he can go with you.” Matt listened as Hadley spoke and Sam waited to hear what she was saying. “Okay talk to you soon.” Matt hung up and placed his phone on the bar. “She said be at her house at seven and don’t forget to bring a treat for Lady.”
Sam laughed. Lady was Hadley’s dog, an adorable senior golden cocker spaniel who Sam made the mistake of giving a treat to the first time he met her. Now every time he saw the dog she expected something.
“Thanks for offering to go with her,” Matt said.
“It’s no big deal.”
“It gives me peace of mind. I don’t want her driving to Mass by herself.”
“You do realize that she’s thirty-one, right?”
“And your point is?”
“God help you if you ever have a daughter.”
Matt eased his arms onto the bar and looked at Sam. “Honestly, I might need you to commit me then.”
“You can always count on me, brother. I got your back.”
“Except when you’re constantly distracted by a brunette at the end of the bar.”
“You noticed that, huh?”
“You’re not as smooth as you think you are.”
“Oh, but I am.” Sam downed the rest of his beer and placed the glass on the bar ready to make his move.
“While I’d love to sit around and watch you work to get laid, I have to get home.”
Matt pulled out his wallet and Sam held his hand up. “This round’s mine. You get the next. Tell Shay I said hi and give my god son a kiss for me.”
“Will do, but try to stop by sometime this week.”
“I’ll bring Missy by on Wednesday.” His half-sister would love to see the little guy and he could kill two birds with one stone.
“Sounds like a plan.” Matt nodded his goodbyes to Declan before patting Sam on the back. “Be safe.”
Sam’s mouth curved into a big smile. “I always am,” he said before heading over to seal the deal.
~End of Excerpt~
Grab your copy of Hung Up on Hadley today
Acknowledgements
Cassie Mae, an acknowledgement at the back of the book seems like it’s not enough to tell you how grateful I am for you. Just know that none of this would be possible if it wasn’t for you. You talk me up when I’m down, talk me down when I’m overwhelmed and somehow always know when I need a phone call. And all of that aside, I couldn’t ask for a better editor. You ask the hard questions that make me think and cut back on my repetitiveness. Thank you!
Mom! Another book down and another book that you helped create. From your keen eye to your vivid imagination you breathe life into all of my stories. Thanks for being my best friend and more importantly an amazing beta reader.
Eric, it’s funny because I know you don’t read these but I still feel it necessary to include you. Truth be told, I couldn’t do what I do without your constant support and unwavering love. Thanks for dealing with my crazy!
My Beta girls, thank you for always being there to cheer me on, help me out with random questions, your priceless advice and your support. I couldn’t ask for a better group of girls to have by my side on this wild journey.
Amanda Walker, my amazingly talented cover designer, thank you for bringing my visions to life. This cover is so perfect!
To my readers, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. You’re the reason I get to do what I love and for that I will be forever grateful.
Also by Theresa Paolo
Red Maple Falls
The Hayes Family
Mad About Matt
Crushing on Kate
Moments with Mason
Catching Cooper
Hung Up on Hadley
A Bride for Sam
Dreaming of Daisy
The Marshall Family
Charmed by Chase
Betting on Brooke
coming November 2018
Lusting After Layla
coming January 2019
Willow Cove
Her Forbidden Love Match
His Not-so Small Town Girl
coming September 2018
Again Series
(Never) Again
(Once) Again
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About the Author
Theresa Paolo lives on Long Island, NY with her fiancé and their fish. She is the author of NA and Adult contemporary romances. Her debut novel (NEVER) AGAIN, released in Fall 2013 with Berkley (Penguin) and the companion novel (ONCE) AGAIN released Summer 2014. Mad About Matt, the first book in her new Red Maple Falls series, released March 2017.
She loves to write heartfelt romances with a dash of fun and a side of spice. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, brewery hopping, daydreaming, wasting time on Pinterest, or can be found chatting away on Twitter and Facebook. She also writes YA romance under Tessa Marie.
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Catching Cooper (Red Maple Falls, #4) Page 19
