by Shannyn Leah
“We can call it quits now or—”
“You’re dying in this fire. I’m not leaving until you’re unconscious.”
She shrugged. “Your choice.” Her voice sounded smooth for being so terrified. Not of him, but of the fire roaring around them and her daughter lying unconscious amidst it all.
~
DAX’S STOMACH TIGHTENED at the sight of the barn on Ava’s property half up in flames. He’d smelled the wood burning and saw the smoke long before he turned onto her road. He’d hoped—prayed—it wouldn’t involve Ava. His car parked beside the barn told him he was at the right place.
His foot accelerated on the pedal, as if they could go any faster.
“Shit,” Stone said.
“Call for backup, now!” Dax drove to the only door he saw and slammed on the brakes. “I’m going in.”
“Dax, it’s suicide.”
He didn’t give a damn. He wasn’t waiting for his gear only to watch the fire engulf the girls he loved most in his life. Damn her for being so stubborn. Damn him for not dragging her out of that room kicking and screaming. But mostly damn Kevin for baiting Ava. Dax was going to kill him.
Inside the first floor, he noted the fire wrapped along the back wall and up the north wall. The fire was close, giving him light around the barn. He did a quick scan for Ava and Olivia. He found the open space empty, a few wood stalls broken with piles of garbage heaped around.
“Ava?!”
Seeing a rickety ladder suspended from an opening to the second floor, he ran to it, gave it a tug to make sure it was attached and climbed.
He saw her and his heart almost stopped. Bending down, she lifted Olivia’s limp body into her arms. “Ava!”
“Dax?” she coughed.
He stopped beside her and tried to take Olivia.
“No. Kevin.” She pointed behind her where the slimy bastard lay on the ground. Blood pooled around his jaw and he glanced at Ava’s hands, finding her skin stained with red. “We can’t leave him here.”
“Like hell we can’t.”
“Dax, firefighters don’t let people die in burning buildings. Their fate is not up to you.”
Damn it.
“Okay, go. Go!” He pushed her toward the exit and ran to the skinny-limped nobody lying on the ground. He hauled the bastard over his shoulder, cursing the entire time.
By the time he made it to the exit, Stone had taken Olivia and Ava was on her way down the ladder. Holding Kevin, he climbed down and met the rest of them outside, just as he heard sirens in the background.
He dropped Kevin on the ground far enough away from the fire and went directly to Ava. “Is she alright?”
“I don’t know. He drugged her, I think. I don’t know what he gave her, but she’s breathing.”
Dax took Olivia and laid her down. Using his EMT training, he assessed his little girl, confirming her breathing was regular, but they would need to get her to the hospital.
He looked at Ava. “Did you do that to him?” He nodded at Kevin.
A half smile lifted her lips. “I said you took it easy on me.”
“Come here.” He pulled her into his arms and cradled the two of them as the sirens grew louder. He was so damn thankful they were alright.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
~
THE LOCAL FORECAST CALLED FOR snow in the next few days. And not just a light dusting, they were too close to the snowbelt for that. There was a snowstorm on its way and soon Willow Valley would be secluded from the rest of the world for a snowed-in winter.
Dax liked the idea of being snowed in with his two girls. At the rate of the renovations, he had thought he’d have the work finished long before Christmas and the three of them could begin some of their own new traditions. The first being that Santa was going to be getting lots of love from Mommy this year. He wanted to begin a tradition with his mom and dad, too. They might not be here physically, but they were in spirit.
But before he’d finished the house, the snow had begun to fall and Christmas was upon them.
Dax stopped the car beside the curb and put it in park. He honked the horn a few times, watching the front door of the home he and Ava planned to share for the rest of their lives. His childhood home. The loving home they’d create for Olivia.
The door flew open and Olivia ran across the porch, halting at the edge of the stairs. Even from the distance he saw the shocked expression on her face turn to excited eagerness.
“Mom!” She screamed, running back to the door, and opening it to yell again. She ran back to the top of the stairs and halted again. She stared at Dax and the car like they were imaginary. Then apparently convinced he was real, she ran down the stairs and across the lawn.
She bounced to a stop. “Charlie! How Dax? He’s not ready.”
Dax grinned. “He’s ready enough for a tour of the strip before the snow hits.”
“Are you sure? I wouldn’t want him to break down and get stranded or—”
“Are you going to stand there all day debating whether I’ve taken every precaution to make sure Charlie is drivable or get in and take him for a spin?”
Her eyes widened and she pulled the door open before climbing into the back seat and fastening herself into her booster seat. “He smells good,” she said. “Like Charlie, but not like the stuffy shop. Roll all the windows down, Dax. Give him some fresh air.”
Dax obeyed, inwardly chuckling at how much she was like him.
He caught sight of Ava walking down the path. Her arms pulled a rust orange parka tight around her upper body and denim clung to her long legs. Damn, she was sexy in denim.
She stopped by the car and leaned in the window. “Is this the reason you’ve been staying late at the shop?’”
“Did you think there was a different reason?”
She shook her head. “Not at all. She—he’s a beauty.”
“Get in Mommy, quick. We’re showing Charlie the beach, but then straight back to the shop. He’s not ready.”
“He’s ready.”
“He needs a paint job and I’m not just talking on the outside. His parts aren’t prepared for outdoor exposure and—”
Dax pressed the gas pedal and the zoom cut Olivia’s rant. She squealed with delight. “Get in Mom!”
Ava climbed in and ran her hand along Dax’s arm. “He’s a beauty.” She winked at him.
Dax leaned across the center. “You’re a beauty.” He kissed her.
“Ewww, gross!” Ava and Dax’s lips lifted together. “Stop. You’re tainting poor Charlie.”
Dax pulled away and glanced at Olivia in the rear view mirror. “Okay, okay. Are you ready for the drive of your life?”
“Yes!”
They’d only made it to the edge of Willow Valley’s main street when his pager buzzed in his pocket. The fire station. He looked at Ava.
She smiled at him, and took a deep breath. “It’s a short drive, Olivia. Dax has to go to the firehouse. Maybe we’ll hang around and wait for him.”
Lord, he loved this woman. He squeezed her hand and took the next turn toward the firehouse.
“Good, because I don’t really think Charlie is ready to be on the road,” Olivia said. “We’ll take you home and Stone will put you away.”
Dax glanced in the mirror to see her stroking the seat. What a kid.
He looked at Ava and mouthed “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she said back. “But if you break the speed limit you might get sent to detention.”
He laughed. She’d always surprise him.
He pressed the accelerator and they bounced in a pot hole. Ava’s laughter filled the car. Their own road ahead might have plenty of turns and bumps, but he would face each one with Ava by his side.
THE END
Please enjoy a preview of the first books in my McAdams Sisters book, Lakeshore Secrets.
Contemporary romance author Shannyn Leah loves olives, lip gloss and reading (and writing) romance novels. Her love o
f words started at an early age and soon grew until, during her teenage years, she’d started writing her own novels. When her mom pushed to finally publish some of the stories, she quickly amassed two complete romance series (By The Lake and Caliendo Resort series) and, in 2016, released her first Fantasy Romance entitled The Gatekeepers (Part One of the Winters Rising series).
When she’s not writing contemporary romance books into the early hours of the morning, Shannyn can be found antiquing with her two favorite people, her momma and sister, in their picturesque London, Ontario hometown.
Shannyn would love to get to know her readers as you get to know her (just don’t send her any carrots!)
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By The Lake Series
The McAdams Sisters
Lakeshore Secrets (Book One)
Lakeshore Legend (Book Two)
Lakeshore Love (Book Three)
Lakeshore Candy (Book Four)
Lakeshore Lyrics (Book Five)
The Caliendo Resort
Sunset Thunder (Book One)
Sunset Rivalry (Book Two)
Sunset Sail (Book Three)
Sunset Dreams (Book Four)
Sunset Shelter (Book Five)
Enjoy Next:
Lakeshore Secrets
The McAdams Sisters
Book One, Kate McAdams
By The Lake Series
Shannyn Leah
THE SMILING YOUNG receptionists behind the counter looked to be in their early twenties. Although wearing cheerful expressions intended to brighten the atmosphere, Kate felt as dark and dreary as their black outfits. The older couple in front of her strolled to the counter, leaving her next in line. She considered her options. She could stay at The Caliendo Resort, the most luxurious five-star accommodation in Willow Valley, or she could run. She could turn around and bolt out the front doors to stay at her dad’s or with one of her sisters. She’d only lose her deposit and, at the moment, it felt worth it.
Today would’ve been easier if Derek had been standing by her side as they’d originally planned when she booked their suite here. But then she hadn’t expected to find out he’d been having an affair with his secretary.
Kate shuddered. She should have skipped the compressing pencil-line dress, and worn a pair of long pants to conceal her ongoing tremors. Only, she hadn’t expected the reaction that consumed her now. After living away from her childhood hometown for six years, she’d convinced herself returning wouldn’t be as difficult as she’d imagined.
Her foot inched back and if felt like the right decision.
“Kate? Kate!”
She cringed, her foot sliding back in line with her other foot.
Forcing a fake smile, she turned to face the bright and vivacious Izzy Caliendo. Walking straight her way, the young woman looked like a model who’d just stepped off a runway platform. Her long blonde hair billowed behind her, cascading over layers of clothes. Starting with a grey scarf draped around her neck over a black blouse hanging just above her knees under an animal-print sweater which, even still, had a black parka overtop. Maroon-colored skinnies disappeared into a pair of ankle boots. Thick earrings and a gold chain finished her look as she strutted toward Kate.
It couldn’t have been worse if Izzy’s older brother Marc had been shouting her name.
That wasn’t true. Facing Marc would’ve been far worse. Thankfully, according to her sister, Abby, Marc was living south of here, managing another Caliendo resort.
“Oh. My. Gosh!” Izzy squealed, practically jumping in the ridiculously high heels of her ankle boots.
Kate held her breath, hoping Izzy’s clapping hands balanced her so she wouldn’t fall and tumble across the lobby floor.
The young woman’s carefree and wild aura lifted Kate’s lips in her first real smile since boarding the airplane here. The wild child brought about such a reaction from people, even when a person’s nerves were on the edge of explosion. Besides, Izzy and Abby had been best friends for almost as long as Kate and Marc had been friends. Before Kate walked away from him when she’d left town anyway.
“I can’t believe it’s you. That you’re here.” Izzy threw her arms around Kate and squeezed a puff of designer perfume in her nostrils.
Kate’s earlier resolve lifted. With Marc living so far away, what could possibly go wrong?
“Hey, Izzy.”
The girl pulled away, but kept her hands clamped on Kate’s shoulders. For such a small thing, she had a killer grasp.
“Abby didn’t tell me you were staying here.” She glanced at Kate’s suitcase. “You are staying here, right?”
“Yes.”
She dropped her hands. “Good. Truthfully, Mom might have mentioned you had a booking, but I refused to believe it until I saw you here for myself.” She leaned forward. “No, I have not been stalking the lobby all morning waiting for you. And that’s because I didn’t get up until lunchtime, but I have definitely been here since one, and since it’s only two, technically that’s not even considered stalking, it’s considered hanging out.”
Kate couldn’t decide if she should be honored or wary.
Izzy’s big brown eyes glanced over her shoulder to the grand white pillars dividing the foyer from a sitting area. She wickedly smiled at Kate. “I may have gotten distracted by the delicious man-candy over there.”
Some things never changed.
“I wanted to talk to you. Or I hoped maybe Abby would come with you.” A serious tone washed over her jubilant spirit. “I haven’t seen her for days. She’s stopped responding to my texts and I’ve gone to the house every day—a few times—and she’s not answering the door.”
Kate felt her motherly instincts kick in, pushing the remainder of her own feelings aside to focus on her baby sister. Abby had always been more emotional and dramatic than the rest of the McAdams siblings. Sort of a loose cannon. Kate could see Abby breaking down first.
“I don’t think she’s taking Grace’s death very well.”
Inescapable sadness consumed Kate at the mention of her grandmother’s name, piercing through her layers like November’s cold and bitter chill. But she smiled lightly to give her sister’s friend a douse of reassurance, even if she wasn’t feeling it herself. “None of us are taking Gran’s death well, but we have each other and we’ll work through this together.”
“So you will talk to her?”
“Of course.”
“And let me know when you find her?”
Kate nodded. “Absolutely.”
Izzy held her manicured hand out. “Give me your phone and I’ll add my contact.”
Kate didn’t want to, but if Izzy found Abby before she did, she’d want to know. She handed over her cell phone.
“So…have you talked to Marc yet?” Her eyes peered up from her task as she typed her number into Kate’s contacts.
“No. I thought he was working at a resort down south?” She tried to sound casual, but doubted her unsteady voice fooled anyone.
Izzy smirked.
Oh no.
“Marc came back after Dad died. He took over Dad’s position as head of the corporation and he’s been working side-by-side with Uncle Carl learning the ins and outs of running the chain ever since.”
Kate’s emotions flew into overdrive. She didn’t know where to start sorting out the madness dashing around inside her. Marc was here, at the resort? He could be anywhere, around any corner. She could literally bump straight into him, which, in turn, would mean she would have to face him. She’d have to sm
ile and converse like civilized people, knowing she’d hurt him. She didn’t want to see his pain. Or worse…he could be happily married, maybe with children.
Her stomach lurched.
She wasn’t ready to face him and his possible family.
For a brief moment, she selfishly wished Marc’s father hadn’t died. The elder Caliendo’s existing presence would have obscured any possibility of her returning to Willow Valley. They’d made a deal six years ago resulting in her departure. A one-sided deal where the powerful and influential Robert Caliendo had cornered her into an agreement she absolutely couldn’t decline without destroying her family.
Kate swallowed hard, remembering their deal. “No, I didn’t know Marc was back.”
“Miss? Are you ready?” Kate glanced at the receptionist, barely seeing her while still lost in her own thoughts.
Izzy looped her arm in Kate’s and walked her to the front desk. “Kate McAdams,” she told the girl before looking at Kate. “Where is your number two?” She glanced around the foyer. “You’re booked in the premium suite for two, right?”
Kate silently cursed Derek, but mostly cursed herself for keeping the reservation. “I’m here alone.”
“Miss McAdams, you’re all set.” The receptionist handed her a key and named her floor and room number.
“Thank you.” Kate took the key and moved away from the desk as the receptionist greeted the next guest. “I guess I’m all set.” She needed to get to her room and regroup. “I should go drop my bags off and then locate Abby.”
At the mention of her best friend’s name, Izzy’s face sobered. “That’s a good idea. Can you tell her to call me or text me? Or can you call me or text me to let me know she’s alright. I’m worried. I’ve never seen her so distant before.”
This time, Kate gave Izzy a consoling hug. “I will. I promise.”
“Thanks.”
Kate started toward the elevators. One Caliendo down and hopefully no more to go.
“Hey Kate!” Izzy called behind her.
She turned.
“Marc’s single, too.” Izzy winked then stalked away, leaving Kate unsure how to handle the thrill that simple fact had sent through her.