Text copyright ©2016 by the Author.
This work was made possible by a special license through the Kindle Worlds publishing program and has not necessarily been reviewed by Paige Tyler. All characters, scenes, events, plots and related elements appearing in the original Dallas Fire & Rescue remain the exclusive copyrighted and/or trademarked property of Paige Tyler, or their affiliates or licensors.
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Hearts Afire
A Dallas Fire & Rescue/MacKay Destiny Crossover
By
L.J. Garland
Hearts Afire
MacKay Destiny
Fire is in his blood…
When a single moment almost destroys firefighter Aiden MacKay’s world, he’s forced to reevaluate his life. A shattered leg leaves him unable to do the job he always believed he would—fighting fires and rescuing lives. A broken heart has him swearing off women for over a year. But when he runs into his high school best friend, he questions his resolution. So much has changed during their years apart—he’s not the same guy she knew back then. Does he dare tell her how much he wants her now?
She’s seen more than she should…
When Jessica Parker returns to her hometown, she expects a quick visit then to hop on a plane and fly back to Tampa. But things definitely don’t go as planned, and she unwittingly finds herself caught in a tangled web of deceit and danger. Scared and on the run, she’s surprised when she bumps into someone she used to know. Aiden MacKay—the guy in high school who stole her heart.
Can they survive?
A madman hunts Jessica, intending to use a single match to keep her quiet…forever. And though Aiden vows to keep her safe, his own dark secrets just might stop him. Together, they must find a way to trust one another and confess the truth before it’s too late. The only thing they know for sure is being together again sets their Hearts Afire.
Table of Contents
Hearts Afire
A Note from L.J. Garland
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
About the Author
Also by L.J. Garland
A Note from L.J. Garland
Dear Reader~
When I was invited to write for Paige Tyler’s Dallas Fire & Rescue Kindle World, plots immediately began whirling around in my brain. While browsing the Internet for information and inspiration, I came across a real-life firefighter rescuing a cat and I knew I’d found my hero. He not only saved people but animals as well. Brave. Determined. Compassionate. After that, the rest of the story fell into place. A strong feisty heroine for the hero to win, and fires and murder for the couple to overcome.
I’d like to thank Paige Tyler for inviting me to write for this initial release. Your world rocks!
Thanks to Kate Richards for your expert knowledge, support, and friendship. And for all the other wonderful things you do. Hugs!
To my parents for believing in me. Thank you for standing behind me and loving me. I’m truly blessed!
To my family for…well, everything. To my boys for being understanding and giving Mom some “quiet time.” And to my amazing husband, Jeff. Without you, this whole “writing thing” would’ve never happened. You’re my rock, my soul mate, best friend, and the love of my life. Always and forever.
And to my readers for going on this journey with me. Thank you! I hope you get wrapped up with these characters as much as I did.
If you enjoyed this story, check out the rest of the books in the Dallas Fire & Rescue Kindle World! http://paigetylertheauthor.com/BooksDallasFireAndRescueKind…
You may also notice the series title on the cover, MacKay Destiny. This is one story of many that are spread out over several Kindle Worlds.
I love to hear from my readers. You can write to me at [email protected].
You can also find me here:
http://lj-garland.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LJGarland/
Twitter: @ LJ_Garland1
I look forward to hearing from you.
L.J. Garland
Dedication
To all the firefighters who put their lives on the line every day.
You’re an inspiration.
Chapter One
“Okay, that’s it for today.” Aiden MacKay looked out at the people in his fire academy classroom. “Next week is your last week of training. You’ll meet outside Building A, and Daniel Lumbridge will lead you through some hands-on training and demonstrations.”
A cute young brunette raised her hand, and he nodded at her.
“Like what?” She smiled, her eyes flirty.
Not his type—not that it mattered. Ever since Melanie, he’d sworn off women. “Things like vehicle extrication, where you’ll use the Jaws of Life and learn how to put out a car on fire. There’ll be some other fire suppressing techniques and everyone’s favorite”—he addressed the class as a whole—“rappelling.”
The room buzzed with excited chatter. Yeah, students always looked forward to rappelling—till they actually had to do it. Then they learned gearing up properly and dragging equipment down a wall or cliff without getting it tangled in the line was a lot harder than Hollywood made it look. But then, fire and rescue was a lot harder and, at times, much more dangerous than in the movies. If someone screwed up, people died…and there was no Reset button.
The students gathered their belongings and shuffled out of the classroom. Aiden grabbed his backpack and tucked his lesson materials and lecture notes inside.
“Who’da thought? Aiden MacKay in front of a class full of newbies?”
Aiden glanced up and grinned at Kyle Dean, his friend and old partner from Sacramento Fire Department, Station 17. “Hey, stranger. Keeping out of trouble?”
Kyle snorted. “What do you think?”
He gave his friend’s hand a hearty shake. “How long’s it been…well over a year?”
“Too damn long.” Stuffing his hands into the pockets of his khaki cargo shorts, he looked around the room and nodded. “Nice digs. Never pegged you for a teacher, but it seems to agree with you.”
“It does.” He tucked a notebook into his backpack. “And I’m just as shocked as you. I always thought I’d go back to the station. Fire’s in the family blood, so it’s kinda expected.” His granddad and sisters were all in some firefighting-related job or another. His parents had been, too, until they’d died in, of all things, a house fire. The fire investigator had claimed faulty wiring, but Aiden didn’t buy it. The smoke detectors would’ve woken them. No, something about their deaths didn’t add up. “Sorry I didn’t do better at keeping in touch. After that first fire call….”
I fucking froze. In the doorway. The heat, the smoke. Damn. He hadn’t been able to enter the building to search for the kid inside. His gut tightened at the memory, hot fear winding through his veins. He’d stumbled out into the yard, raked off his helmet, and puked his lunch in the grass. Disgusted with himself for not being able to do the job, he’d requeste
d a leave of absence. During that time, he couldn’t face the guys. God he’d been such a fucking loser. Incompetent. Unreliable. So, he’d made a clean break. Confided in Granddad, found a new path in fire, and didn’t look back.
“Yeah, well, after what you went through….” Kyle wagged his head. “And the phone works both ways. But it looks like you got your shit together in a big way.”
“Got a good group coming through. A little green—”
His friend snorted. “Aren’t they all? But with you gettin’ ’em up front, I expect the probies to know their ass from a pumper nozzle.”
Aiden laughed. “What brings you to this neck of the woods? Cause if you’re looking for a reference, you can keep right on moseyin’.”
Kyle held up his hand.
“Ho-ly shit.” His gaze shot to Kyle’s. “You got married? Again?”
He shrugged, a sheepish twinkle in his eyes. “That’s why I’m here. I was hoping you could come to the house for dinner to shoot the shit and meet the new missus.”
“Absolutely.”
Kyle grinned. “Good. I’ll let Ethyl know.” He checked his watch. “Gotta hit the trail. Shift starts in thirty.” He held his hand out, and, when Aiden grasped it, Kyle yanked him in for a brotherly hug and smack on the back. “I’ve missed you, man. Glad to see I don’t have to carry your ass anymore.”
“I’m surprised they haven’t fired you, since we both know it was me carrying you.”
“They’ll never get rid of me. Too pretty.” Kyle headed toward the door. “I’ll call ya.”
“Sounds good.” After Kyle left, Aiden found himself smiling, glad his old partner didn’t hold his shortcomings against him. It had been tough coming to terms that he couldn’t run into a burning building anymore—he’d even gone as far as to talk to a shrink to try to get past the phobia. But all he’d gotten was a prescription and the promise it would take time.
Grabbing his backpack, he headed out to his truck. Married. The guy is crazy. So far, there’d been two blondes, a brunette, and one with the blackest hair he’d ever seen. Ethyl must be a redhead.
His thigh ached, demanding a hitch in his stride as he drew closer to his truck. Usually, the weather brought on the minor limp, but the clear blue above indicated nothing but smooth sailing. Probably just on my feet too much today.
On the way home, he stopped by a café he frequented. When he pushed open the door, a bell jingled and cool air washed over him, a welcome reprieve from the warmer-than-usual Northern California spring. Close to a dozen people occupied the tables, couches, and chairs inside, over half either on laptops or cell phones.
As he approached the counter, a young guy glanced up at him with a bored expression. “Can I help you?”
“I’ll take an iced coffee, black, and a couple of those chocolate cream pie doughnuts to go.” He scanned the menu board on the back wall. “And a club on wheat.” The dinner of champions.
“Sure.” The kid rang up the order, swiped Aiden’s card then went about putting the order together. A few minutes later, he pushed a bag and clear plastic cup with lid across the counter to him. “Here ya go.”
Grabbing the items, he headed toward the door.
Bzzzz bzzzz bzzzz.
He paused, juggling the bag and iced coffee while he dug his cell out of his pocket. Text from my youngest sister. He tapped the screen with his thumb.
Brigit: Kat’s B'day in less than a month. The big 2-5. Clueless and afraid.
“Crap.” He hadn’t realized his sister’s birthday was coming up so fast.
Aiden: Dinner. Cake. A boyfriend?
Brigit: 2 funny.
Aiden: Serious.
Brigit: Need to plan.
He elbowed the café door open, oppressive heat enveloping him. Turning, he headed toward his truck while he typed.
Aiden: No idea. We can—
Smack!
“Oof!” Iced coffee sprayed into the air, his bag crushed between him and…. Soft breasts.
“Oh!” The woman stumbled, and he reacted, reaching out to steady her. She lifted her face, wide green eyes staring up at him from beneath the brim of a deep-red baseball cap. Light-pink lips formed an O then drew down into a grimace.
Breaking free from his grasp, she stepped back. Droplets of coffee stood out among the sprinkling of freckles across her nose.
“I’m so sorry, ma’am.” Freckles…. Something about her set him on alert. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” she mumbled, moving closer to the building and peering over her shoulder.
“Are you sure?” He leaned forward, trying to glimpse her face.
“Yeah.”
She wiped her face with the backs of her hands. When she glanced up at him again, the past punched him in the gut.
“Oh my God. Jess?”
Chapter Two
“Jessica Parker?”
She stopped wiping her face. Oh shit. He knows my name. Her heart rabbited. Searching for an escape, she rounded back the way she’d come. But a large hand clamped her wrist, stopping her, tugging her around to face him.
“Jess, it’s okay.” The rough rumble coming from the wall of muscle she’d just slammed into drew her focus.
She squinted up at the guy, the brim of her hat doing little to deflect the sun’s glare…until he shifted his stance. Oh good Lord. “Aiden? Aiden MacKay?”
“Yeah. It’s been years.” A grin filled his handsome face, lighting bright-blue eyes she’d dreamed of nightly through most of high school. Her heart banged faster, but for a whole other reason. “Last time I saw you was the eleventh grade when your family moved to…?”
“Florida.”
“That’s right. How are you?”
She licked her lips, the distinct flavor of coffee coating the tip of her tongue. “I’ve um—”
Jingle-jangle-jing.
The door behind him opened, and her breath caught. A guy and girl exited, holding hands, smiling at one another. In love, or lust.
Jessica pulled the brim of her ball cap lower then fiddled with her earlobe as the couple strolled past. Can’t trust anyone. “I’ve been better.”
“Damn. I’m so sorry.” He held up his cell. “I was texting Brigit as I came out of the café, and….” His gaze dipped to her mouth then moved lower, pausing on her breasts. “What are you wearing?”
She looked down. Blotchy brown streaked her once light-pink tank top and olive-and-pink camo flannel pants. “I-I was in a hurry.”
“I can see that.” The corner of his mouth twitched.
The wet fabric clung to her skin, leaving no doubt that she’d gone braless, the iced drink tightening nipples to sharp peaks—damn it. And she reeked of coffee.
“Well, it didn’t look like this five minutes ago. I had a little help.” She bent to snatch up the plastic shopping bag and the day pack she’d dropped when she’d crashed into him. Ice cubes skittered across the hot sidewalk as she tucked the bag into the pack. “Okay, well. Good seeing you. Gotta go.”
Hugging the wall, she brushed past him and hurried down the sidewalk. She glanced around her. Did anyone notice what just happened?
“Hey, wait a sec.” Aiden shot around her, turning to walk backward in front of her. His gait seemed off, like he’d hurt his knee or something. “I’m really sorry about your outfit. My bad.” His gaze headed south again then shot to her face. He held up a crumpled deli bag. “Let me make it up to you.”
“With what?” She gestured toward the bag. “A smashed donut and an empty cup?”
He chucked the plastic cup into a nearby garbage can.
“Okay, then, just a mangled donut.” She moved forward again, but Aiden dodged into her path, his body getting dangerously close to hers again. She backed up several steps.
His large hand grasped her biceps. “Seriously, Jess. I am sorry.”
She stared up into his handsome face. Dark hair hung over his forehead, messy in that just-rolled-out-of-bed sort of way. Black lashes fram
ed the bluest eyes. Ice-blue like glaciers. She lifted her hand to stroke the light stubble coating his square jaw—
Ohmigod! What is wrong with me?
So instead, she pressed her palm to his chest.
Okay. This is just as bad. And I really don’t have time for this.
“I’ll survive. I always do.” But I might not if I don’t get my ass in gear and get off the street. It was bad enough she’d been walking around in her pj’s, but now she was soaked to the skin with coffee. Paint a target on your back, why don’tcha?
She gave him a light shove, but the muscular barricade didn’t give an inch. He’d been well-toned in high school, but nothing like this.
He set his hand atop hers, capturing it against him. Tingles danced up her arm and down to her tummy. “Jess, we were best friends for years. I’d like to know what’s happened in your life. Let me take you out to dinner. Unless…are you married with a million kids?”
His gaze cut right through her—just like it had when they’d hung out together.
“No. Not married. No kids.”
“Fiancé?”
“No.” She shook her head, forcing her focus toward the street.
“Okay. A boyfriend, then.”
She tried to extract her hand, but he held tight. “No. No time.”
A silver sedan slowed on approach. It looked like the one she’d seen the night before—maybe. Two guys sat in the front seat. Jessica’s stomach clenched. How did they track her here? Nerves twanging like an ill-tuned guitar, she maneuvered around Aiden, putting him in their line of sight. A shield. You’re using your high school best friend as a shield. Nice.
If he knew what was going on, he’d help me out, do it willingly.
Why? Because he was secretly in love with you all those years ago while he dated one girl after another? So, what…he wants to be your knight in shining armor now?
Dallas Fire & Rescue: Hearts Afire (Kindle Worlds Novella) (MacKay Destiny Book 3) Page 1