by Geri Foster
Brave the Storm
Storm Warning Series, Book 6
Geri Foster
Contents
The Storm Warning Series
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
Author’s Note
Also by Geri Foster
About the Author
Copyright © 2018 Geri Foster
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, businesses, events, or locales is purely coincidental.
The Storm Warning Series
Fear the Storm
Chase the Storm
Perfect Storm
Ride the Storm
I Am the Storm
Brave the Storm
Inside the Storm
Eye of the Storm
Embrace the Storm
Chapter 1
Getting out of her car, Olivia Anderson heard laughter coming from Jeff and Nancy Crawley’s backyard before her foot hit the gravel road. She arrived late, due to last minute duties at the hospital, but came as soon as possible. In Rainwater, no one missed a good old-fashioned Texas barbecue. They were the most attended events in town. That, and weddings and funerals.
After shutting off the engine of her SUV, she walked to the passenger side, opened the door and removed her covered dish. Being the designated potato salad maker at these gatherings, she had to prepare enough for half the town. It took both hands to lift the container.
Dressed in a short-sleeved sundress and gold clustered sandals, she’d tied her long, dark brown hair back from her face. Summer had yet to fully descend on them, but eighty-seven degrees was warm enough for her to dress comfortably. Besides, in an hour, everyone would be hot, sweaty, and stuffed to the gills.
Luke Bryan’s latest hit, Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset strung out of the speakers, reaching her ears as she pushed the passenger door shut with her hip.
She loved getting together with her neighbors.
Jeff and Nancy lived on the edge of town in a small, ranch-style house. They were as different as night and day, but clearly crazy about each other. Freshly planted flowerbeds filled with petunias, heather, and hibiscus gathered along the walkway and rows of rose bushes and two matching magnolia trees filled the yard. No doubt all this was Nancy’s idea, because her husband, Jeff, was a no-frills kind of guy.
Even so, she chuckled to herself, she’d bet her bowl of potato salad Jeff hadn’t let Nancy lift a finger. No two people loved each other more and Jeff thoroughly spoiled Nancy. He ran his small ranch with the same dedication he’d used as a Navy SEAL and it showed. The place seemed picture perfect.
At the sound of gravel crunching beneath tire treads, she turned to look behind her and saw her brother, David, and his brand-new wife, Amelia, pulling up behind her SUV. Waving with her fingers, she waited for them to alight from the car before heading to the backyard. Getting out, David moved to the backseat and lifted her five-year-old niece, Leah, out of her car seat and set her on the ground. Immediately, the little girl turned and ran to greet her.
“Hi, Aunt Olivia!”
Leaning down, she pecked her on the cheek. “Hi, sweetheart,” she said. “You excited about the picnic?”
Leah squealed, “I love parties!” Then she took off running toward the sound emanating from behind the house.
David and Amelia moved up to walk beside her and David held out his hands. “Here, sis, give me that bowl. It must weigh ten pounds.”
She relinquished it with pleasure. “Thanks,” she said, shoving it toward him. “Take it. And it’s more than ten pounds, because I used that many potatoes alone. That’s not counting the eggs, celery, mayonnaise, and all the other ingredients.”
As she let go, his arms sagged under the unexpected weight and he nearly dropped her prized dish. “Oh my God, this is heavy!” he exclaimed.
Worried that all her hard work was about to go to waste, heart racing, she threw her hands out to help him. Laughing, he righted himself and smirked at her.
“Gotcha.”
Brow furrowed in annoyance, she fake laughed, “Ha, ha, very funny.” Instead of smiling, she smacked him on the back. He was such a jokester, always messing with her.
Amelia looked at her with mock-serious blue eyes. “Now, you know your brother would not drop your potato salad. If he did, I’d shoot him myself. I love the stuff.”
She laughed for real then. Amelia had come back to town almost a year ago in some serious trouble, needing a place to hide out. She’d contacted David because, for one, he was an amazing detective, and for another, he was the father of her five-year-old daughter, but he didn’t know it. Though he had a reputation for being the town Romeo, David immediately stepped up to the plate to take care of both Leah and Amelia. They fell in love in the process. From what she knew, he’d practically been in love with Amelia since they’d gotten together all those years ago, so it wasn’t a surprise to see him fall so hard so fast. Amelia felt the same way and they married six months ago.
She was happy for them. Happy for all her friends and loved ones who had found love and settled down over the past couple of years. But that wasn’t in the cards for her. As the saying goes, three strikes and you’re out. She wasn’t going there again.
Gaze roaming over the parked vehicles, she asked, “Is Dad here yet?”
“He said he was driving with Russ. They went fishing earlier this morning.”
“Wonder if they got lucky.”
David shrugged, unimpressed. “I don’t know.” He glanced over his shoulder, taking in the surroundings. “Honestly, who goes fishing around here to catch fish? Dad and Russ just like hanging out together.”
That was true. Heading to the backyard and all the festivities, they rounded the corner of the house and waded into the scores of people milling around waiting for the call to start eating.
Jeff and his nephew, Austin, were in charge of the grills while the town Sheriff turned Police Chief, and a good friend of her and her brother’s, Lucas Quinn, passed out cold drinks.
“Where does this go?” David asked Nancy, holding up the salad.
The hostess pointed to a large, round table piled high with a variety of food. “Find a place and put it there.”
Carrying a Rubbermaid cake carrier, Amelia asked, “Where is the dessert table?”
Nancy pointed to the table next to the huge one and Amelia headed in that direction, putting her item down before stepping over to talk to Lucas’ wife, Rachel.
Turning to her, Nancy greeted her with a wide smile. “I hope you made the potato salad and not your brother.”
“I did.
Don’t worry. I’d never let him in my kitchen.” Tilting her head, she perused Nancy. “It’s wonderful we’re all getting together, but what’s the occasion?”
Hand clasped around a diamond heart necklace on a gold chain, Nancy smiled conspiratorially, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. “You’ll know soon.”
Olivia shook her head in amusement. “That’s quite a mystery you have going on. Half the town’s baffled.”
“Good,” Nancy said, patting her shoulder before moving toward the back door of the house.
Alone for the moment, she scanned the crowd to see who she wanted to talk to. Amid the flood of people, she saw her dad standing next to Russ Crawley, Austin’s dad and Jeff’s brother, and another man. Surprised, since she hadn’t seen his car, she moved in their direction, but it took her several minutes to actually get close enough to see who stood between her Dad and Russ.
Griff Bradford.
Her feet stopped so quickly she leaned forward to keep from falling face first onto the soft, St. Augustine grass. Her immediate thought was to get away as fast as she could without making a scene. Heart torpedoing out of control, she frantically scanned the crowd for a safe exit.
Seeing a slight path through the crowd, she picked up one foot and turned away when her dad’s voice stopped her. “Olivia!” he called out. “Olivia.”
She tried to act like she didn’t hear him, couldn’t make out what he was saying, anything to keep from getting any closer to Griff. Licking her suddenly dry, chapped lips, she turned and ran into her cousin, Marcus’, chest.
Looking up at him, her mouth hanging open in shock, he lowered his brow and studied her. “Uncle Theo’s calling you,” he informed her cautiously after a moment, tilting his head in her dad’s direction.
Ignoring his quizzical look, she said, “I have to take care of something first.”
She rushed around him, but it was too late. Her dad and Griff were there, standing before her, blocking her path.
“Didn’t you hear me?” her dad asked. He pointed where her eyes refused to go. “Look who’s here.”
Keeping her eyes focused on her dad’s chest, she nodded numbly and tried to think of something to say but her mouth dried up and her tongue refused to cooperate. Air rushed in and out of her nostrils as she struggled to get a grip on her emotions.
He was the last man she ever wanted to see again. In fact, she’d been ardently avoiding him for years, making sure to stay out of his way when he came back to town to visit his parents.
“Hi, Olivia,” he said in a soft voice, so sexy it could’ve been warm and rich as hot fudge. Suddenly, he reached over, gathered her in his strong arms and squeezed her gently against his massive chest. “Long time, no see.”
She turned to stone, so uncomfortable with the situation. He held her there pressed against his firm chest. He appeared a little uncomfortable. Why would he be nervous? After what he’d done, you’d think he’d be cool as a cucumber right now.
Stepping back, she stared at the top opening of his shirt, to avoid gazing into his face. The area revealed light blond chest hair, tanned skin and strong muscles. She couldn’t deny that, despite herself, the sight did something to her. She should look away, but she didn’t have the courage to raise her eyes. Not if she wanted to continue standing.
“Yeah, it’s been awhile.” She stumbled back a step and he reached out and caught her.
“Easy there.”
His hand around her bicep felt tight as a tourniquet and just as binding. She pulled away from his touch and mumbled. “Excuse me. I think Nancy needs me.”
“Come back as soon as you finish,” her dad said, oblivious to the tension between them. “I have news. Good news.”
She stumbled blindly through the crowd until Kendall grabbed her around the shoulders and pulled her aside. “Why didn’t you answer your phone?” she hissed. “I tried to warn you.”
She patted down her purse. “I must’ve left it at home.”
Rachel joined them, a concerned look on her face. “I hoped we’d get to you in time.”
Feeling cold and numb, she stared at her two friends. “What’s he doing here?”
“Oh, God,” Kendall breathed, looking at Rachel with wide eyes. “She hasn’t heard.”
Hearing their conversation, Lucas wandered over, beer in hand. “Heard what?”
Marcus came up next and put his hand around Kendall’s waist. “What’s going on?”
Irritated that she hadn’t gotten any answers yet, she demanded, “Where did he come from? And why is he with Dad?”
Lucas looked confused for a moment, catching Marcus’ eye and shrugging. But, then, he and Marcus lifted their heads in unison and searched the crowd. Their eyes landed on the cause of her distress at almost the same time and Lucas breathed out a small breath of understanding.
“Ah, you mean Griff,” he offered apologetically.
She tried her best not to grit her teeth, but her jaw hurt so bad she wanted to scream. “Yes, I mean Griff.”
As though he felt their eyes on him, Griff turned and looked in their direction. Marcus smiled and offered a chin lift, which Griff returned before the smile fell from his face and he glanced at her contemplatively. Their eyes held for a long moment before he turned back to his conversation.
“Your dad didn’t tell you?” Lucas asked.
“No!” Rachel practically screamed, panicked. “She has no idea.”
Marcus held out his hand, palm up. “I don’t get it. What’s the big deal?”
His brows furrowed, Lucas stepped closer. “Olivia and Griff have…history.”
“History! More like a train wreck.” Rachel’s eyes widened.
Lucas caught her furious expression at that description and backed up, cautiously. “Uh, Rachel, train wreck is a little strong, don’t you think?”
“I don’t know,” Rachel kept on, oblivious to her growing ire. “Olivia was a mess afterwards, even when we tried to explain over and over that—”
About at her limit and ready to go off on Rachel, her friend was saved at the last second when Olivia heard her dad approaching from behind. She’d recognize the sound of his gait anywhere, it was so distinct.
“Olivia why do you keep running off?”
She turned and had to force her rigid mouth to curve into a smile when she saw Griff was with him. “Sorry, Dad, I had to share something with Rachel and Kendall.”
Nodding, her dad took Griff by the arm. “Well, what I wanted to tell you earlier was I think you might be the only one in town who didn’t get the message.”
“What message?”
“Griff Bradford,” he eyed her curiously, “has been hired as the new Chief.”
The noise around her stilled. Her heart unwilling to accept what her brain knew her dad meant, she blinked heavily. “The chief of what?” she asked slowly.
Her dad patted Griff hardily on the shoulder. “Why, he’s the new Fire Chief. He’s taking my place in two weeks when I retire.”
The air left her lungs and she turned stunned eyes on Griff, looking at him for the first time. “You are?”
Griff stood there, staring at her, not saying a word. After a moment of awkward silence Lucas stepped forward and grabbed Griff’s hand, shaking it several times before slapping him on the shoulder. “Council approved everything last night. We’re mighty proud to have him.”
“Yes, we are,” Marcus added with a grin wide as the Trinity River. “It’s not often a man with his qualifications is willing to relocate to a small town like ours.”
Shaking his head slightly, Griff looked around at the gathering and finally spoke. “Well, it feels good to come back home.”
She imagined it did. He’d been away for close to ten years. The last she’d heard—and she tried not to hear anything—he’d joined the military and, then, settled in Dallas. Now, he was right in front of her holding out her entire past in the palms of his hands, reminding her of the first betrayal she ever felt. But it wasn’
t the last. Not by a long shot.
Looking back and forth between her and Griff a couple times, Rachel eventually took a step forward and held out her hand. “Hey, Griff,” she said, a small smile on her face. “It’s nice to see you.”
“Yeah,” Kendall agreed. “Congratulations on the new job.”
“Thank you,” he said, accepting another beer from their host, Jeff, as he walked up to join them. “I hope I’m half as good as Theo has been.”
Several more people gathered around patting Griff on the back and shaking hands. Kendall and Rachel closed ranks, offering Olivia an escape route, and she slowly backed away until she was able to turn and get out of there. Candi, Austin, David, and Amelia were chatting on the outskirts of the gathering, so she made her way to them. Turning her back on Griff, she inserted herself into their conversation.
Relieved not to have him staring at her, she took a deep breath as she struggled with what to do. Should she get away as quickly as possible and later claim to have gotten sick? Stick it out and hope they could avoid each other? Or confront the inevitable?
She paused, her heart stuttering. Was everyone looking at her pityingly now? Remembering how she’d been played now that the player was back? Quickly taking in the faces of everyone at the party, she realized they weren’t paying attention to her at all. In fact, they were all happy, congratulating Griff, welcoming him home. It was like no one remembered what he’d done to her. Sure, she’d tried to hide it back then, not wanting anyone to see how hurt she’d really been, but come on—he betrayed her. And no one cared in the least? Angry now instead of scared, she turned to her brother.