Hope Flames: Hope Book 1

by Jaci Burton

  “We were talking about football.”

  “You were? I thought it was baseball.”

  “Subject change,” Luke offered with a smile.

  “Oh. I missed that. Sorry. I was watching the dogs play. Pokey’s looking like he’s lost a little weight, Dad. That’s good.”

  “I’ve been taking him for walks like you told me, too. Every night after dinner.”

  “Thank you. It’s good for him.”

  Her mom came to the door. “Dinner’s ready. How about those steaks?”

  Her dad nodded. “These are done, too.”

  “Perfect. Y’all come in.”

  They went in and washed up for dinner. Her mother set an elegant dining room, centered by the flowers Luke had brought, and of course all the wonderful food. Emma’s stomach had been growling, smelling the steaks cooking, and she couldn’t wait to dive in.

  And so far, Luke was still there and hadn’t gone running out the front door.

  A promising sign.

  LUKE WAS STARVING. The steaks smelled great, and he really liked Emma’s dad. He was a sports nut, so they had a lot in common. And Emmett hadn’t grilled him about Emma, thankfully. Luke figured that as Emma’s dad he might want to know what his intentions were, but so far . . . nothing.

  “So, Luke, how’s police work going?” Emma’s mom asked.

  “Good. I stay busy, which I like. It’s not high crime, but there’s enough going on that it’s interesting, even for a small town like Hope.”

  “I’m sure you’re busy with those drug thefts. Like the one at Emma’s place,” her dad said.

  Luke nodded. “Yes, sir. And we’re working diligently on catching the person who did that.”

  “Scared the life out of me when that happened,” Georgia said. “Especially since Emma was there at the time.”

  “But I’m fine, Mom. And Luke said they probably would have never hit the vet clinic if they’d known someone was there. I just happened to be parked across the street.”

  “That’s true,” Luke said. “Someone looking to burglarize, especially after drugs, isn’t going to want potential witnesses. If Emma’s car had been in the parking lot, they wouldn’t have bothered. It was just an unfortunate set of circumstances.”

  “Luke got there in a hurry, thankfully.”

  Luke looked at her. “And, fortunately, you did all the right things, so you were safe.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Sooner or later, they’ll screw up, and we’ll catch them.”

  “Hopefully sooner, rather than later,” Emmett said, then went back to eating his steak. “The last thing we need in Hope is someone out stealing drugs from businesses. Who knows what they’ll do next.”

  “It makes me feel a little less safe,” Georgia said. “Even though he isn’t breaking into homes.”

  Luke nodded. “I know. And we’ll catch him. That’s a promise.”

  Georgia squeezed his hand. “I know you will. We’re confident in you.”

  “Well,” Emma said. “Enough about that. I have exciting news. I got to assist the birth of a litter of the sweetest golden retrievers yesterday.”

  Her mom’s eyes widened. “Oh, I love goldens. How many?”

  Emma was obviously going for a change in subject. Luke grinned at her.

  She smiled back before turning her attention to her mom. “Eight of them. Just the cutest little things.”

  “Oh, Emmett. Wouldn’t it be great to have a golden retriever again?”

  “No. Pokey is enough for now.”

  “The owner is going to sell some of the puppies,” Emma offered.

  Her father glared at her. “You are not helping, Em.”

  Emma shrugged, then smiled. “Think of all the exercise Pokey would get with a pup running after him.”

  “So you think it’s a good idea?”

  “I think Pokey likes it when Daisy and Annie are here. He doesn’t object to other dogs. And yes, he’s older and set in his ways, but a companion is a good thing.”

  “Dammit,” Emmett said, scooping potatoes onto his fork. “I already know I’m going to lose this argument.”

  Georgia looked over at Emma and smiled.

  Yeah, Luke didn’t think Emmett was going to win that one, either.

  After dinner, they all cleared dishes into the kitchen. Emmett and Luke rinsed and loaded stuff into the dishwasher while Emma and her mom put the leftovers away. With four people in the kitchen, cleanup was done in no time. Then everyone headed out back to hang out with the dogs.

  Luke listened in while Emma chatted with her mom about some of her mom’s work-related stuff. Georgia was a very accomplished businesswoman. He could see where Emma had picked up her drive and ambition.

  “Next week we’re launching a marketing campaign for the chamber of commerce,” Georgia said. “We designed a new website for them, because, oh, Lord, theirs was antiquated. It’s a wonder anyone even knew where Hope was or what services were offered in this town before.”

  “I’m excited to see it, Mom. I know it’s going to be awesome.”

  “All the businesses in town will be highlighted. Including yours, Emma. And information on all of Hope’s municipal agencies, too, including the police station.”

  “That’s great, Georgia,” Luke said. “It’s an update that’s been desperately needed for a while now.”

  “Thanks. I’m pretty thrilled about it. It’s taken us about two years to get it off the ground. A long process, but worth it.”

  “I’m very proud of you, honey,” Emmett said. “I know how hard you’ve worked on this one.”

  Georgia cast Emmett a glowing smile. “Thank you, Emmett. And thank you for building me an office. It’s my sanctuary here at home. You’re my hero.”

  Luke loved the way they supported each other. And the way they looked at each other. Even after all these years together, they were still in love.

  It was so unlike what he had grown up with.

  That’s what he wanted. Someday.

  He looked over at Emma, who was watching her parents with a goofy smile on her face. She shifted her glance over at him, and something elemental sizzled between them.

  Yeah.

  When it got dark, Luke stood. “I should be going. Thank you both for having me over today.”

  “We’re so glad you came, Luke,” Georgia said. “You’re welcome anytime.”

  Emmett shook his hand. “What Georgia said. And Kansas City is still the better team.”

  Luke laughed. “Well, we’ll see about that during the course of the baseball season. I enjoyed myself today. Thanks.”

  He called Boomer, who came to his side right away.

  “I’ll walk you out,” Emma said.

  They headed out to the driveway. This was the first chance he’d had to be alone with her the whole day.

  She looked pretty in her black-and-white sundress, and he’d wanted to touch her. And kiss her. But she’d kept her distance.

  He understood that. She hadn’t wanted to give her parents the impression there was anything between them.

  “Thanks for having me over.”

  “You can thank my mom for that. She can be a little relentless. I hope it wasn’t too painful for you.”

  The wind had picked up, blowing Emma’s hair this way and that. He swept it away from her face. “Emma. You have really nice parents. It’s obvious they care a lot about you.”

  She smiled. “Thanks. And yes, they do. I probably worry too much. I just didn’t want you to feel . . . obligated.”

  “I never do what I don’t want to do, so stop worrying about me.”

  “Okay. I will.”

  Dammit. He knew he shouldn’t do it, but the words spilled from his mouth before he could stop them.

  “How about a run by the lake with the dogs after work tomorrow?”

  The reward was the bright smile she gave him. “Sure. I’d love to.”

  “Great. I’ll give you a call.”

  �
�Thanks again for coming today.”

  “No problem.”

  He walked out to his truck, and she headed to the door.

  He wondered what the hell he’d been thinking, inviting her to go out with him again. They’d gone out. They’d had sex. Monumental, mind-blowing sex.

  Now he’d come to her parents’ for dinner.

  He never saw a woman over and over again. It went against his code. And he sure as hell didn’t go to a woman’s parents’ house for dinner.

  Then again, he wasn’t really even dating Emma. They were friends, and that was all. The sex thing had been impromptu. Letting off some steam.

  So maybe they could just go back to the friends thing. Like running with the dogs after work.

  As he climbed into his truck, he glanced up at the front door of her parents’ house. Emma was still there, watching him.

  She waved, and as he backed out of the driveway, he waved back.

  His gut told him Emma was way more than a friend.

  And he couldn’t wait to see her again.

  Chapter 10

  FORTUNATELY, EMMA HAD a particularly busy day, including performing a double ACL repair on a very overweight rottweiler. The surgery had been complicated, but successful. Leanne was currently overseeing the recovery of Delbert the rottweiler, while Emma spoke to the pet’s owners, advising them that Delbert would need to go on a restricted diet, since the dog’s obesity had been one of the contributing factors to his leg injuries.

  Once that was done, she had a full patient load that took up the remainder of her day. She didn’t even get a chance to stop for her planned lunch with Jane and Chelsea at Bert’s. Instead, she grabbed a protein bar and a glass of juice while she slipped out of one patient room and into another.

  “Business is good,” Rachel whispered as Emma breezed through the reception area late that afternoon. The waiting area was full, and several customers smiled and waved.

  Her heart squeezed.

  At the end of the workday she checked on Delbert, washed her hands and blew a stray hair out of her face, then met up with Rachel and Leanne in the back room. “It was good today, that’s for sure.”

  “It’ll be good every day, Dr. Emma,” Leanne said. “Doc Weston was busy like this all the time, and word’s getting around that you’re here and you’re an awesome doctor. Trust me, you’ll be swamped.”

  She hoped so. She liked being busy. It kept her mind occupied and, she hoped, it would keep her bank account full.

  She hung out with Rachel and Leanne for a few minutes, then looked at her phone.

  “Crap. I have somewhere I need to be.”

  “Got a hot date, Doc?” Rachel asked, waggling her brows.

  “Um, not really. I’m meeting Luke for a run in the park with the dogs.”

  “Officer Luke McCormack? That Luke?”

  “Yes. That Luke.”

  Rachel took a big breath in, and let it out. “Now he is definitely hot.”

  “Agreed,” Leanne grinned. “Tell us all about him.”

  “It’s not a date, if that’s what you’re wondering. We’re just friends. And you two can quit giving me that look.”

  Leanne looked at Rachel. “Look? What look?”

  Rachel shrugged. “I have no idea. I think she’s seeing things.”

  Rolling her eyes, Emma hollered for Annie and Daisy. Daisy came running. Annie, of course, didn’t, so she had to search her out. She was chewing on one of the clinic towels.

  “Annie,” she said, shaking her head. She scooped Annie up and slid the pup into the crate.

  “Would you two mind locking up?” she asked as she grabbed her purse.

  “Not at all,” Leanne said, “seeing as you have a hot date with the very sexy cop.”

  Emma rolled her eyes. “Not a date.”

  “Sure, Dr. Emma,” Rachel said. “Keep on denying.”

  “Gossips.” She headed out the door, then hurried home, fed the dogs, and ran Annie outside. She changed into her capris and tank and slid on her running shoes. Since the sun was going down and there was a chill in the air, she grabbed a hoodie. Annie gave her a sad look.

  “Yeah, you’re not trained to run yet, missy, so off to the crate you go.”

  Annie went willingly into the crate, curled up on her towel and next to her toy, and seemed ready to go back to sleep. Since the puppy had run amok all day at the clinic, Emma knew she’d be ready to crash again. Besides, she was sure she wouldn’t be gone more than an hour. Just a quick run with the dogs and she’d be back. Luke probably had other plans after their run.

  A hot guy like him had to have women waiting to go out with him, right?

  She shivered as she recalled his hands on her, the way his mouth had moved over her skin, the way she had felt when he’d moved inside her.

  Yeah, he likely had other plans. With other women.

  And didn’t that just suck?

  Shaking off thoughts she had no business thinking, she put Daisy in her truck and headed over to the lake. One of the things she loved the most about Hope was its nearby proximity to some awesome water. There was a bigger lake for boating in the next town over, but there was a smaller lake and a park in town. She found Luke’s truck already parked in the lot when she got there, so she pulled up next to it.

  Luke was sitting on one of the cement benches, Boomer calmly waiting beside him.

  “Sorry I’m late,” she said as Daisy bounded up to Boomer and greeted him with excited sniffs. “It was crazy busy at the clinic and I lost track of time.”

  “No problem. I haven’t been here long. We had an accident up on Third just as I was ready to go off duty. I thought you’d be the one waiting for me.”

  She finally exhaled. “Sounds like we both had a stressful day.”

  He gave her a smile that sent skitters of awareness down her spine. “Then let’s go run it off.”

  They warmed up, Luke leaning over the cement picnic table to stretch out his long, lean body. Emma couldn’t help but drink in the sight of him in his gray sweats and T-shirt. The sweats hung loose on him, the shirt snugged tight against his muscled chest. His arms had some guns that had nothing to do with the hardware he usually had attached to his hip when he was in uniform. Even dressed casually like this, he took her breath away.

  And she was going to need that breath for the run they were about to take.

  “Ready?” he asked.

  “Let’s go.” She needed this run to shake off her rampant thoughts about Luke and his hot body and all the things she’d like to do with it. One taste of him hadn’t been enough. She was tense. It had been a rough day, and what was a better tension reliever than sex?

  But she was absolutely not going to have sex with Luke again. So a run would have to do.

  They took off down the trails at a relaxed pace, the dogs staying right with them. That night at her house, she’d been so easy, nearly throwing herself at him. But the sex had been so good, and she’d wanted it as much as he had.

  And then she’d thrown him out of her house.

  Some hostess she’d been. She was clearly conflicted. It was a wonder he wanted anything to do with her after that night.

  But he had shown up at the adoption event at the clinic. And he’d come to her parents’ house for dinner. He’d been friendly with her at both events. And he had asked her to run with him today, so maybe things between them were back to normal again.

  She was going to have to be more careful. She wasn’t practiced around men. She’d had exactly one long-term relationship in her life, a long time ago, and she sure hadn’t been in charge of herself in that one. She’d given up complete control of her life, her education, her sense of self . . .

  This wasn’t helping reduce her tension, and she’d vowed never to think about him ever again. It was much better to sink back a little and focus on Luke’s fine form as he ran a few feet ahead of her. He was in prime physical shape, his long legs eating up the trail as he jogged with ease. Boomer stayed i
n perfect stride alongside him. It was easy to see why Luke and his dog were such great partners.

  Daisy, of course, did the same, running devotedly right beside her, but Emma’s focus was on Luke’s very fine ass. So, of course Emma missed the curve in the road and the uneven pavement, her toe got stuck, and she took a very unflattering dive, skidding across the road. She threw her hands out to protect herself, feeling the stinging burn as her skin rubbed along the asphalt.

  “Emma. Are you all right?” Luke was right there, crouching down next to her.

  So was Daisy, licking her face in sympathy.

  “Ow,” was all she could manage, trying to blink back the tears as the initial shock wore off and the pain intensified.

  “What happened?”

  “I tripped over . . . something.” She started to push up, but he placed a firm hand on her shoulder.

  “Stay there and let me check you over.”

  “I’m fine, really.” Except for her entire body trembling from shock and the oh my God excruciating pain.

  “You’re not fine. You’re bleeding.” He looked down at her knees, which were raw and bloody.

  “That’s not . . . too bad.”

  He lifted his gaze to hers, and she knew as well as he did that, while the fall was definitely not life-threatening, she was a mess. Fortunately, she’d thrown her forearms down and not her hands, so while her jacket was torn up and she could feel some tenderness on her arms, she’d at least saved her hands. She used those at work and she needed them.

  “How are your arms?”

  “Throbbing. I don’t think anything’s broken.”

  “Let me look.” He eased her jacket off and checked out both of her arms.

  “See, I told you.”

  “You’re right. You have a few scratches and your jacket is toast. You’re going to be bruised.”

  “I’ve been bruised before. I’m pretty tough.”

  He swept her hair out of her face. “I’m sure you are, Doc. Now let’s stand you up.”

  He slipped an arm around her and lifted her. Her knees were throbbing, the pain like sharp needles pricking her skin. She bit her lip and focused on taking a few steps.