Brent: Military Heroes (The One I Want Series Book 2)

by Ellie Masters

  “She helped me set it up.”

  “I like her. I like Erika too. Any other girlfriends out there?”

  “None. I only have eyes for you.” He kissed her temple and finished off his food. “Have you ever made love beneath the stars?”

  * * *

  Thank you for reading Brent and Brie’s story. We hope you enjoyed diving for sunken treasure and finding Spanish gold!

  If you enjoyed Brent & Brie’s story, we think you’ll love reading about the woman who help Brent propose, fish guts and all.

  Caitlyn lost the love of her life when Bear Creek became too small for her high school sweetheart. She’s moving on, at least until Caleb comes home and ruins that plan.

  Caleb may have left Caitlyn to pursue his dreams to become a Marine, the elite of the elite and a Delta Force Operative, but he’s never forgotten about his one true love. Now, he’s on a mission to win her back, and this Delta Force Operative doesn’t back down from a fight.

  True love isn’t just about falling in love at first sight. Sometimes it’s about letting go…and fighting to get it back.

  You can grab Caleb & Caitlyn’s story.

  Just click HERE.

  You can also skip to the back of this book and read a sneak peak of the first two chapters of Caleb & Caitlyn’s story.

  And of course, if you enjoyed Brent & Brie’s story, we’d love to hear what you thought. You can leave your thoughts on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or Bookbub. A sentence is all it takes and we certainly appreciate every word!

  Final Thoughts Jet&Ellie

  We hope you enjoyed this book as much as we enjoyed writing it. If you enjoyed reading this story, please consider leaving a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or Bookbub, and please let other people know. A sentence is all it takes. Friend recommendations are the strongest catalyst for readers’ purchase decisions! We’d love to be able to continue bringing you more love stories, so please tell your friends about this series.

  If you really want them to read it, gift it to them. If you prefer digital friends, please use the “Recommend” feature of Goodreads to spread the word.

  Please check out Ellie’s other books. If you enjoyed The One I Want series, you’re sure to enjoy her other works. There’s a little bit for everyone, from sweet to steamy, to dark and suspenseful.

  Or visit her blog https://elliemasters.com/, where you can find out more about her writing process and ours.

  Come visit The EDGE: Dark Discussions where you’ll have a chance to talk about Ellie’s works, their creation, and maybe what the future has in store for our writing.

  Facebook Reader Group: The EDGE

  Thank you so much for your support!

  Love,

  Jet & Ellie

  Amazon Links Also by Ellie Masters

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  Contemporary Romance

  The One I Want Series

  By Jet & Ellie Masters

  each book in this series can be read as a standalone and is about a different couple with an HEA.

  Aiden & Ariel

  Brent & Brie

  Caleb & Caitlyn

  Dax & Dani

  Rockstar Romance

  The Angel Fire Rock Romance Series

  each book in this series can be read as a standalone and is about a different couple with an HEA. It is recommended they are read in order.

  Ashes to New (prequel)

  Heart’s Insanity (book 1)

  Heart’s Desire (book 2)

  Heart’s Collide (book 3)

  Hearts Divided (book 4)

  Dark Romance

  Captive Hearts Series

  each book in this series can be read as a standalone and is about a different couple with an HEA. It is recommended they are read in order.

  She’s MINE

  Embracing FATE

  Romantic Suspense

  Changing Roles Series:

  this series is about one couple and must be read in order.

  Book 1: Command

  Book 2: Control

  Book 3: Collar

  HOT READS

  each book is a standalone novel.

  Off Duty

  Nondisclosure

  Down the Rabbit Hole

  Romantic Suspense (standalone)

  each book is a standalone novel.

  Twist of Fate

  The Starling

  Redemption

  HOT READS

  Becoming His Series

  this series is about one couple and must be read in order.

  Book 1: The Ballet

  Book 2: Learning to Breathe

  Book 3: Becoming His

  Sweet Contemporary Romance

  Finding Peace

  ~AND~

  Science Fiction

  Ellie Masters writing as L.A. Warren

  Vendel Rising: a Science Fiction Serialized Novel

  About the Author

  ELLIE MASTERS is a multi-genre and best-selling author, writing the stories she loves to read. These are dark erotic tales. Or maybe, sweet contemporary stories. How about a romantic thriller to whet your appetite? Ellie writes it all. Want to read passionate poems and sensual secrets? She does that, too. Dip into the eclectic mind of Ellie Masters, spend time exploring the sensual realm where she breathes life into her characters and brings them from her mind to the page and into the heart of her readers every day.

  Ellie Masters has been exploring the worlds of romance, dark erotica, science fiction, and fantasy by writing the stories she wants to read and was finally able to rope JET MASTERS into sharing her passion for romantic stories. When not writing, Jet & Ellie can be found outside off-roading, riding ATVs, scuba diving, hiking, and breathing fresh air.

  They have lived all over the United States—east, west, north, south and central—Ellie grew up under the Hawaiian sun while Jet grew up under the California sun.

  FOR MORE INFORMATION

  WWW.ELLIEMASTERS.COM

  Connect with Ellie Masters

  Website

  Amazon Author Page

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  Caleb & Caitlyn

  Sneak Peak

  Caitlyn

  Caitlyn Quinn settled into the seat by the bay window of Marge’s Diner and looked out at the thick clouds hanging low in the sky while she debated her options.

  More than a gathering place for locals, Marge’s Diner formed the heart and soul of the Bear Creek community. A small Montana town of less than five thousand, Bear Creek huddled at the base of the northern edge of the Rocky Mountains where moose and elk ranged free, running alongside wolves, bear, and the ever-hungry mountain lions. They prowled the rugged mountain slopes and made her job as a wilderness guide challenging on the best of days.

  She read the terrified review left by her last customer for the tenth time and gave a deep sigh. That man had seen a black bear over two-hundred yards away and thought he was going to die. His one-star review destroyed her five-star rating. She needed to bury those damaging words beneath something amazing, but business was slow this time of year and she had no clients lined up until next month.

  “Hot cocoa and eggs?” Marge didn’t bother coming to her table and she didn’t ask how Caitlyn wanted her eggs. Marge already knew.

  “Yes, please, and do you have a bowl for Bear?” Caitlyn’s one-hundred-and-fifty-pound best friend curled at her feet. A Newfoundland, he accompanied her everywhere and, as the unofficial town mascot, was welcomed by all. Actually, all the town’s four-footed residents were welcome inside Marge’s Diner.

  “Definitely, and I’ll bring him a treat in a second. Just got in a new supply of his favorite bones.” Marge fussed behind the counter, pulling out the tin she kept the dog treats in. She had different sized tins for different sized dogs and pulled out the largest fro
m under the counter. Bear’s ears perked up and his nostrils flared. But that was all he did. Inside time was for lying around and he perfected the art of indoor laziness. Now, take him outside and he was a different animal. Out in the mountains, Bear lived up to his name. He was a bundle of energy which never stopped.

  “Marge, you don’t have to spoil him like that.”

  “I know.” But Marge spoiled Bear, no matter the fuss Caitlyn made. Marge also refused to let her pay for Bear’s treats, and she had long since given up trying to insist.

  Bear looked up with soulful eyes that melted her heart. He plopped his muzzle back on her foot, moving as little as possible to conserve his energy.

  Outside, Sheriff Johnson’s white Bronco pulled into the parking lot. Twenty years too old to still be used, he trusted the Bronco over his police-issued cruiser once the snows fell. Bear’s tail thumped as the bell over the door jangled. Sheriff Johnson walked in, gave her a nod, and headed to a table where a few men gathered, sharing breakfast and trading tall tales.

  Cold air from outside billowed into the diner, bringing the thick scent of wood smoke swirling in with the sharp cutting bite of winter on its heels. With the cost of fuel rising each year, the locals used the abundance of wood provided by the forest to heat their homes. She would always associate home with the deep, aromatic smell of pine burning in the hearth.

  Her cell phone buzzed, and she glanced at the weather alert on her screen. A winter storm prepared to descend on Bear Creek and the surrounding mountains within the next thirty-six to forty-eight hours. Bear Creek had seen several snowfalls since the leaves changed color, but this looked to be the first snowbound event of the season. It was also one of the reasons her next client was booked well over a month out. Few people wanted to explore the Montana wilderness in the dead of winter.

  Sheriff Johnson pulled off his wide-brimmed hat and dragged back a chair, dropping into it with a loud sigh. He leaned forward, keeping his voice low, and spoke to the men. Caitlyn glanced over to the men, but then went back to scrolling through the reviews on her website. That bear hadn’t even lifted its snout, but from the man’s review made it sound like the bear had charged them. It hadn’t. It showed zero interest.

  The men’s voices rose, until one of them gave a shout.

  “It can’t be done.” Bob Jenkins pushed back from the table. The legs of his chair screeched over the hardwood floor. Bear lifted his head and gave Bob a slow blink for disturbing his rest.

  “Has to be done,” Sheriff Johnson said.

  “Is there no other way?” Jerry Altman asked.

  “Can’t believe they got themselves lost.” Tom Studer gave a slow, deliberate shake of his head. “This is really bad timing.” He rubbed at his knee. “A storm is blowing in. Be here tomorrow I bet.”

  She hid a snicker. Tom’s old weather knee was rarely wrong. He often called the local ranchers about incoming storms far in advance of weather alerts like the one on her phone.

  A small operation, his cattle ranch butted up against the town limits of Bear Creek. He and her father had often worked together, helping one another out, and she’d grown up with Tom’s daughter, Dani.

  Now, she had a manager for her father’s ranch who took care of pretty much everything. That freed her up to build her guide business and deal with troublesome clients.

  Marge headed over to the men’s table and delivered a steaming mug of coffee to the sheriff. She lingered by the table, placing her hands on her hips as the argument between the men heated and their voices rose.

  With her curiosity peaked, she wondered what was going on, but Caitlyn kept her seat. These men had known her when she was in diapers, laughed with her as she ran down the streets in pigtails, and watched with apprehension as she learned to ride a horse. They’d seen her grow from an infant to a child, and through the awkwardness of adolescence. To them, she would always be a gangly little girl, rather than the grown, independent woman she’d become. She waited until Marge came to her table with her scrambled eggs, bacon, and hot cocoa.

  “What’s going on?” She gestured to the men.

  “Oh, there’s a couple college kids up from Montana State.” Marge set the food on the table. “They hiked up the North Fork of Bear Creek River, but never came back. The university contacted Bob this morning to organize a search party.” Marge was the only person who called Sheriff Johnson by his first name, but she did that with everyone, dressing down the men with the same sharp tongue as the kids in town.

  “Really? What are they doing up there?”

  “Looks like they’re involved in some research project, checking game cameras on bear dens.”

  “Hmm. Wouldn’t they have cell phones or a sat phone? If they’re working on a research project, they would have that at least. They could locate the phones.” That would solve the problem really quick.

  Marge shrugged. “Not sure, but I guess they didn’t return last night and missed a scheduled check-in.”

  “Tom’s right. There’s a storm coming.” Caitlyn looked at the clouds rolling in. Dark gray, and loaded with moisture, they promised to dump several feet of snow.

  “That’s what they’re arguing about.” Marge gestured. “They don’t know what to do.”

  “Well, I can help.” She grew up in the mountains and knew every twist and turn of Bear Creek. She’d spent her summers exploring the empty bear dens with her best friend. Not Dani, but rather Caleb, the boy who she always thought she would share forever with, at least until he grew into a man and decided Bear Creek was a town ten-sizes too small for his dreams.

  They parted as uneasy friends, but the day Caleb left town she lost a part of her soul. Thinking of him brought a stabbing pain to her chest and Bear gave a low whimper, sensing her distress. She reached down to rub his thick coat.

  “I’m okay, Bear. I’m okay.” But she wasn’t. She didn’t think she ever would be.

  Sheriff Johnson continued arguing with the men. Their voices heated as the debate intensified. Caitlyn pushed back and wandered over to their table. Bear cracked open one eye and stayed put guarding her chair with his muzzle and two massive front paws.

  Tom Studer noticed her first and cleared his throat.

  Sheriff Johnson looked up. “Morning Caitlyn, what can I do for you?”

  Jerry Altman and Bob Jenkins didn’t meet her gaze. She didn’t understand their aloofness, except they were the most vocal in their disapproval of her choice to turn her father’s hobby into a full-fledged outdoor guide operation. Although why they would disapprove made no sense. They both profited from her business. Jerry helped outfit her clients and Bob rented one of his cabins for her guests while they were in town. Bear Creek didn’t have any motels. If a person didn’t live here, they didn’t sleep here.

  Sheriff Johnson exhaled, then tipped his hat. He looked around the table. “Caitlyn, how’s it going? I hear business is good, lots of outstanding reports coming my way. Your clients love what you do and the town’s seeing more business as a result. Your father would be proud.”

  He understated that by a lot, not that she would correct him. Jerry and Bob weren’t the only ones who profited. Marge’s Diner did well as did the local shops who sold anything and everything to her eager clients.

  “Thank you.”

  After her father’s death, she turned his passion for guiding into a thriving business. In the spring, she took eager bird watchers out. In the fall, businessmen descended for fly-fishing. After the first snow, her clients comprised more adventurous hunters who sought trophies of elk, bear, and the much rarer, and elusive mountain lion.

  The last couple she’d taken up the mountains had melted her heart. That may have been because it had been Brent Calloway, a friend from high school. Like many graduates from the small high school, he left town after graduation to pursue his passion. Brent set up a fly-fishing trip with the express purpose of surprising his girlfriend, Brie, with an unforgettable proposal. Caitlyn had been thrilled to help.

>   “Can I help you with something?” Sheriff Johnson lifted his hat and ran his finger along the brim.

  “Marge says there’s trouble in the mountains.”

  “Yeah, a couple college kids have come up missing.” His scowl deepened the lines of his face, turning his expression downright grim.

  “Don’t they have a guide?” It wasn’t unusual for hikers to head into the mountains without a guide, but college students would have arranged something. They should have asked her. If they had, those students wouldn’t be in trouble.

  “When they first came to town,” Sheriff Johnson said, “I offered them a guide.”

  “I don’t remember getting a call.” When would these men treat her like a grownup and give her the respect she worked her ass off to earn? They knew about her skills. Not one of them could say anything negative about her abilities either. Each of them, at one time or another, had seen her in action and she was damn good at her job.

  “You were in Peace Springs getting Bear back from the vet.” Sheriff Johnson’s voice softened. As if he could read her thoughts, he gave a general wave toward Tom. “Tom offered to lead them, but they said they didn’t want help. They set their packs, hitched a ride to the trailhead, and left.”