Jax had settled into the new job, and no one had had to slap him upside the head. Together they had started transforming her house into theirs, beginning with the extended patio and landscaped backyard. Jax was determined to have it done in time for the wedding.
At least now that her tormentor had been caught, they didn’t have to worry about any more unexpected damage. Risa still couldn’t believe the sweet admin assist with the mad baking skills, Kelly, had been behind the whole thing. Then again, love made people do crazy things. She should know. It was hard not to feel a little sorry for Kelly, who was facing several years in prison. But the Navy didn’t take bomb scares lightly, even fake ones.
Thankfully, no one was really hurt, and she and Jax had come to their senses. In fact, life was pretty darn good—practically perfect, with a few bumps along the way, like her continual battle for clinic funding from the base. If budget cuts kept happening, she just might have to reconsider her plans and open her own practice. She could even do it right from home, along with an animal rescue.
She just hoped she could hold out for another year or two.
“I think we should add a water feature to the yard,” Jax said. “Maybe a waterfall and a pond. Or how about a pool?”
Risa laughed. Every night he added something new. “At the rate you’re going, you’ll never get the yard done in time for the wedding. Makes me wonder if you really want to get married.”
“Are you kidding? If our moms wouldn’t kill us, I’d haul you down to the courthouse tomorrow and say I do.” He kissed her. “Don’t worry. I’ll have it done by Labor Day weekend.”
“You’d better, because if you don’t, and we postpone the wedding, I don’t think I’ll be able to fit into my dress.” She slid her hand across her still-flat stomach and smiled.
“Why wouldn’t you…” His voice faded as his gaze dropped to her hand. When he looked back up, his mouth was hanging open. Slowly it curved up. “Are you?”
“Uh-huh.” She nodded. “It’s early still, so let’s not tell our families yet. But the doctor said Santa will be delivering a special gift this year.”
Jax covered her hand with his. “A year ago, I was standing at a crossroads, unsure which direction to go, not sure what I wanted. Since you came into my life, that’s all changed. You’ve given me everything I needed and now, everything I’ll ever want.”
Love Runs Deep
If you enjoyed A Hero to Love, be sure not to miss the first romance in Gail Chianese’s Changing Tides series
Active duty is no time for romance, but when two naval officers find themselves in truly close quarters on the USS California, the temptation to fraternize is hard to resist. Can two ambitious sailors follow orders long enough to see if love is on the horizon when they’re finally above water?
Lieutenant Nic Riley is the only girl in a long-time Navy family, and she’s determined to prove she’s just as seaworthy as her brothers. When she aces training for submarine duty, it calls for a celebration—and one incredibly hot guy is happy to party with her all night long. But when Nic boards the sub and finds herself face to face with her hunky fling, the idea of spending six months underwater takes on a whole new meaning . . .
Having a girl in every port was Lieutenant Kyle Hutchinson’s style—until the explosive night he spent with Nic. Dating onboard is firmly off limits, but Kyle can’t get her off his mind much less out of his vicinity—until a junior seaman’s devastating stunt puts Nic’s career in danger. Kyle won’t let her take the heat alone, even when it means risking his own reputation, but fighting for a future together will be a whole new battle . . .
Read on for a special excerpt!
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Meet the Author
Gail Chianese’s love of reading began at the tender age of three, when she’d make her grandpa read Fourteen Country Rabbits over and over and over again (and correct him when he skipped parts). While she’s branched out over the years by reading mystery, women’s fiction, and urban fantasy, she always circles back to romance in the end. That’s probably because she’s married to her reallife hero. Her wonderful hubby has served in the US Navy for the past twenty seven years and he’s done things he can’t tell her about. But it doesn’t stop her from being extremely proud of him and the sacrifices he makes for her, his family, and his country. He’s also ubersupportive of her dreams and of their three children. Living in Mystic, CT and a member of Connecticut Romance Writers of America, Gail loves to hear from readers. Visit her online at GailChianese.com, follow her on Twitter @Gail_Chianese, or send her an email at [email protected].
Table of Contents
Cover Copy
Books by Gail Chianese
A Hero to Love
Copyright
Dedication
Acknowledgments
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
Epilogue
Love Runs Deep
Meet the Author
A Hero to Love Page 25