by Cora Seton
A cry echoed from upstream and Cade looked over his shoulder. A massive log careened around the bend and barreled toward them. It slammed into the car and in a screeching blow, knocked it off the sandbar and swept it downstream. The collision changed the angle of the dead tree and sent one end whipping toward Cade. He rolled to the side, protecting the woman from the impact, but he couldn’t protect himself as well.
The log hit him with a jarring force that made him see stars. He was aware of something ripping and a screaming agony as the tree branches scraped into his back and shoulders. He could only hope his harness held fast. Because his head went light and his hands went numb…and everything went black.
“Get them out! Get them out!” Cries rose among the firefighters and they all grabbed the towrope to haul Cade back.
Lisa stood in the rain, clutching the wailing baby, and stared at the sight of Cade dangling on the line, motionless, with a thrashing woman tethered to his chest. Absolute horror curled in her gut, bony and cold, like the fist of death.
His arms were limp, hanging down and flopping with each yank on the rope. His eyes were closed. His mouth slack.
An appalling thought crept into her mind. She forced it away. She couldn’t even think it. She couldn’t even contemplate it.
She rushed to the riverbank as they hauled him out, but one of the other firefighters eased her back. “Please, ma’am. You need to stay away from the shore.”
“But Cade—”
“We’re bringing him out. Don’t worry.”
It took forever for them to pull Cade onto the riverbank, unhook the woman and get him on a stretcher. She held her breath as Taggert checked him out. He was so still. So pale. She nearly fainted when he moved.
Thank God. Thank God he wasn’t dead.
It horrified Lisa that they fitted him with a collar. Taggert assured her it was merely a precaution, in case he’d hurt his spine, but it was so frightening looking Lisa couldn’t breathe. As it was, she was barely aware that the mother Cade saved had come to claim her baby.
Lisa rode with Cade in the ambulance while one of his buddies followed in Cade’s truck. All the way to the hospital, she held his hand and whispered to him, begging him to wake up, but he didn’t. Taggert didn’t say much, but his concerned glances and constant checking of Cade’s vitals made Lisa’s nape prickle. When she asked, “Will he be all right?” Taggert forced a smile that didn’t reach his eyes and said, “Of course.”
But she didn’t believe him.
Lord, it was hard to breathe. One thought howled in her brain.
She couldn’t bear it. She simply couldn’t.
Life without him.
A world without him.
It was beyond her.
It chilled her to the bone.
Suddenly, everything was crystal clear. Brilliantly, painfully, dreadfully clear.
No matter what, no matter what pain might await her in the future, she had to have this man in her life. She had to. She could not live without him.
Life was nothing without him.
If only he would survive this.
If only he could.
Please, God, she prayed, deep down, in the depths of her soul. Please, God, let him survive.
The wait for news was interminable. Lisa was nearly out of her mind with worry when Cody and Claire rushed through the door. What a pity she had nothing to share. Claire’s hug was wonderful though. Lisa clung to her and wept onto her shoulder. And she allowed it for as long as Lisa had tears.
They all sat together in the tiny waiting room, sipping tepid coffee from a vending machine and jumping each time a nurse wandered by. But still, no news.
Word got around town about what had happened, and Cade’s friends started coming by to check on him. Ford and Crystal, Porsche, Wayne and all the firefighters as well. There were many more. Each one had wonderful things to say about him, stories of times he’d helped them out or humorous anecdotes about his mischief as a kid.
It proved how well-respected he was in this town, but it was too much like a wake for Lisa’s comfort.
It was the middle of the night—Cody and Claire were both asleep in their uncomfortable chairs—when the nurse finally came for Lisa. “Miss Binder?”
Lisa’s head jerked up. “Yes. Yes. How is he?”
It was a relief when she said, “He’s fine. He has a minor concussion so we’re keeping him for observation, and we’re trying to keep him as quiet as possible, but he’s been insisting on seeing you.”
“Me?”
She chuckled. “Oh yeah. Can you follow me?”
Lisa was on her feet in a flash.
The nurse led her down a hall to a room on the right where Cade lay on a bed, hooked up to all manner of beeping machines. The collar was still on his neck. The sight of him, lying there, so still, hit her like a blow, but then his eyes flickered open and he smiled and everything was suddenly all right.
He waved. “Hi, honey.”
“Cade.” She rushed to his side and took his hand. Cognizant of the nurse’s cautions, she kissed him lightly on the cheek. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I’ve been through a meat grinder.”
“You kind of were.”
“Right.” He chuckled and winced.
“God, Cade, I can’t tell you how frightened I was.”
“There was no call to be frightened.”
She scowled at him. “There most certainly was.”
“We knew what we were doing.”
“Still, you almost died.”
“I didn’t almost die.”
“You could have.”
He lifted a shoulder, winced again. “Yeah. I s’pose. But that’s always the case. There are no guarantees in life, Lisa.”
“Yeah. I know.” She took his hand in hers and stared at their entwined fingers. “About that…”
He stilled. “Yeah?”
“I, ah… I’ve been thinking about that.”
“About what?”
“About my life. My relationships.” She glanced at him. “Us.”
His Adam’s apple made the long journey down and up his throat. His lips quirked tentatively. “I like us.”
She sucked in a deep breath and tried to hold his gaze, but failed. “I…love us.”
His hold on her tightened. His body hummed. “What? What did you say?”
It took all her effort, but she made herself meet his eyes. “I said, I love us. I love you, Cade. I don’t want to play anymore.”
His brow wrinkled. “You don’t want to play?”
“It was stupid of me to think I could avoid getting hurt by not making a commitment. There’s no avoiding pain in life, there’s only not living. And I want to live. I want to embrace it all. I want to have it all. I want…more.”
“More?” A croak.
“I want you.”
The way he gaped at her, all speechless and wide-eyed, made something nasty squirm in her belly. Had she misread the situation? Had she misunderstood? Was she moving too fast for him? Would this declaration make him run?
Oh, she couldn’t bear it if he did. She couldn’t, but she would.
One had to be brave when seizing the day, even if it meant losing it all.
“I…” Her voice broke. “If you don’t feel the same, I understand. I just, well, I wanted to tell you. I needed you to know.”
“If I don’t feel the same?” She had no idea why anger rippled over his features. “Shit, Lisa.”
She blinked. “What?”
He tried to turn, but the collar wouldn’t allow it. He waved at the table next to the bed. “Go over there.” His tone was harsh, hard, intense, threaded with frustration.
“Over there?” Wrapped in confusion with perhaps a sprinkling of self-pity, she followed his barked command.
“Open the drawer.”
She did. A small box was nestled inside.
“Go on. Open it.”
With trembling fingers, she lifted the
box and snapped it open. Inside, a brilliant marquise diamond sparkled. Her breath caught. Her pulse pounded. Her mouth went dry.
“That’s how I feel, Lisa. That’s what I want.”
“Cade…is this…?”
“Yes, dammit.” A snarl. “I want to marry you, Lisa. I want you as my wife. I want you to be my companion and my lover. The mother of my children.” He paused before adding, “And my baker.”
Joy gushed through her. Joy and gratitude and the sweetest, most tender love she’d ever known. It made her weak at the knees and strengthened her at the same time.
“Oh, Cade.” She wanted to say more, but her throat closed. Even that came out as a warble.
“So will you, Lisa Binder? Will you be my baker?”
Tears flooded her eyes; incongruously, she laughed. “Oh yes, Cade. Yes.” Then she froze as a crucial thought occurred. “With one condition.”
His eyes narrowed. A muscle flexed in his cheek. “What?”
“Occasionally?”
“Yeah?”
“Will you wear your turnout gear when we make love?”
He gaped at her. “My…turnout gear?”
She eased closer. His scent taunted her sanity. “Firemen are hot.”
He put out a lip. “I thought cowboys were hot.”
“They’re both hot,” she said. “You’re hot.”
And she kissed him.
And he kissed her back.
“Oh, brother.” Cody’s voice floated into the room, rife with a teasing disgust. “Don’t you two ever let up?”
Epilogue
‡
Cody Silver crossed his arms and tried not to glare around the table as everyone laughed at Ford’s joke. He didn’t know why he was in such a foul mood. Surely it wasn’t because his best friend and his brother were both now happily engaged.
That was a ludicrous thought.
The hint of envy worming through him as he watched the two couples canoodling was ludicrous too.
He didn’t want to be engaged.
Didn’t want to be tied down.
Besides, he wasn’t a settling kind of guy. Sometimes he wished he could be. Wished he could be solemn and serious and devoted like his brother. Wished he could find a woman who could hold his attention for longer than a fortnight. But he wasn’t and he hadn’t and he couldn’t. Just couldn’t.
He should pin a smile on his face and pretend to be delighted that everyone else was happy. It was tough to do, when he’d probably die a grumpy old man. Alone. All alone.
“What do you think, Cody?” Porsche, at his side, nudged him, drawing his attention from the frivolity of Cade’s engagement party.
“Hmm? What?” He glanced down at her, at his best friend’s little sister. She was a tiny thing, but a firecracker, always in one predicament after another. All the while she was growing up, Ford nearly ripped his hair out over her recklessness. Thank God she’d finally settled down or else Ford would be bald. She shot Cade a mischievous grin reminiscent of that girl, one that sent a prickle down his spine.
“Should Cade and Lisa ride into the wedding ceremony on bulls or alpacas?”
“What?” A squawk.
Porsche laughed, something low and lyrical. Something that made his gut ripple. “I knew you weren’t paying attention.”
He thrust out a lip. “I was too.”
She waggled a finger at him. “Liar.” Her eyes sparkled. Her dimples blossomed and all of a sudden it occurred to him that she was very pretty. Beautiful. He’d always seen her as that annoying kid tagging around after them on their manly adventures.
When she’d been in high school, she’d decided she had a crush on him and he’d had to avoid her so Ford wouldn’t pound him into ground chuck. She’d always been the minx Ford despaired would never grow up.
But now…
Now…
He leaned closer and the scent of her perfume rose to meet him. It tangled with his sanity. Lust surged in his veins.
He nearly sank into her wide blue eyes. She blinked and her lashes fanned out. “Cody?”
“Hmm? What?” Damn, her lips were lovely. The perfect shape for kissing.
“Are you all right?”
Was that her hand? On his thigh?
Shit. It was. And so close to his—
A toxic combination of horror and fear slithered through him as he realized a terrifying fact.
He had the hots for Ford’s sister.
Ford’s sister!
He lurched back and his gaze automatically whipped to his friend. His heart clenched. His stomach roiled. Ford’s eyes were narrowed on Cody, his features fixed in a ferocious scowl.
Oh shit.
The End
About The Author
Her Royal Hotness, Sabrina York, is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of hot, humorous stories for smart and sexy readers. Her titles range from sweet & sexy to scorching romance. Visit her webpage at www.sabrinayork.com to check out her books, excerpts and contests.
For more information, or to connect with Sabrina, visit SabrinaYork.Com
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Books By Sabrina York
Bookshelf
CONTEMPORARY
Stud Ranch Series
Come Hell or High Water
The Real McCoy
Tryst Island Series
Rebound, Book 1
Dragonfly Kisses, Book 2
Smoking Holt, Book 3
Heart of Ash, Book 4
Devlin’s Dare, Book 5
Parker’s Passion, Book 6
Wired Series
Adam’s Obsession, Book 1
Tristan’s Temptation, Book 2
Making Over Maris, Book 3
Stand Alone Novels and Novellas
Extreme Couponing
Fierce
Heartbreak on a Stick
Man Hungry
Pool Man
Pushing Her Buttons
Rising Green (Horror)
Snow Angels
Stone Hard SEALs
Training Tess
Trickery
Whipped
Anthologies
Five Alarm Fire (High Octane Heroes)
A Cowboy for Delilah (Cowboy Heat)
Saving Charlotte (Smokin’ Hot Firemen)
HISTORICAL
Untamed Highlander Series—Coming Soon
Hannah and the Highlander, Book 1
Susana and the Scot, Book 2
Lana and the Laird, Book 3
Noble Passions Series (Steamy Regency)
Folly, Book 1
Dark Fancy, Book 2
Dark Duke, Book 3
Brigand, Book 4
Defiant, Book 5
Tarnished Honor (In the Incomparables: Heroes of Waterloo Collection)
FANTASY
Lust Eternal
Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Box Set Contents
After the Fire
Title Page
Copyright Page
Author’s Note
Other works by Cora Seton
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Epilogue
Other works by Cora Seton
About Cora Seton
Where There’s Smoke
Title Page
Copyright Page
Acknowledgements
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
Epilogue
About The Author
Saddles & Soot
Title Page
Copyright Page
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
About the Author
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Controlled Burn
Title Page
Copyright Page
About the Book
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
About Delilah Devlin
Other Books by Delilah Devlin
Excerpt from Dangerous Liaison
His Firefly Cowgirl
Title Page
Copyright Page
About the Book
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
About the Author
Her Volunteer Cowboy
Title Page
Copyright Page
What they’re saying
A note from Donna
Also by Donna Michaels
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Other Books by the Author
Cowboy’s Match
Title Page