Hung Up on Hadley (Red Maple Falls, #5)
Page 1
Table of Contents
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Title Page
Copyright
Hung Up on Hadley
Dedication
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
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Catching Cooper
Also by Theresa Paolo
Acknowledgements
About the Author
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COPYRIGHT
All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America.
No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval systems, without prior written permission of the author except where permitted by law.
Published by TMP Books
Copyright October 2017
Edited by CookieLynn Publishing Services
Cover Design by Amanda Walker PA and Design Services
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious.
Any similarity to real persons, living or dead is coincidental and not intended by the author.
Dedicated to coffee.
Without you I never would have written The End.
Chapter 1
The stream of light from Sam’s flashlight was no match against the thick black smoke that greeted him at the door. His life was falling apart around him, but right now all that mattered was saving the victim trapped in the fire. He took a calming breath and let every thought disappear until all he could think, feel, and see was the task at hand.
He reached for the lucky charm Hadley had given him, fishing around in his pocket, desperate to find the familiar keepsake. His heart sunk when he pulled his empty hand free. For the first time in fifteen years he would have to do without it.
Sam could hear screaming outside and Matt’s voice offering comfort while still maintaining authority. He had fifteen minutes before he ran out of air. He needed to move quickly and efficiently, not only to save himself but the victim as well. Once they put water on the blaze it would become hotter, more uncomfortable, and any victim in the house would be unprotected against the scorching steam.
He stepped farther into the unfamiliar house, the sounds from outside lost to the crackling flames. His eyes swept across the space, making sure he wasn’t putting himself in danger. If he went down, the victim had little to no chance and that simply wasn’t an option.
There was no way Sam could walk out of this house and look into the eyes of a little boy and tell him he couldn’t save his father. Visions of a mid-morning visit to the firehouse that was filled with smiles and laughs popped into Sam’s head but he forced them away.
Every life was connected in one way or another in the small town, and that was because Red Maple Falls wasn’t just a town; it was a community of people who were as much family to one another as their own blood. Which was why Sam couldn’t put a face on the victim because as soon as he did emotion would take control.
Emotion made you react without thinking, made you forget everything you were trained for and opened you up to mistakes. He couldn’t allow any mistakes. Not when a good man’s life was on the line.
In the twenty years since he became a junior firefighter at sixteen, not a single person had perished in a fire on his watch. He was willing to do whatever it took in order to guarantee everyone’s safety.
Walls of heat surrounded him, and sweat dripped down his face as the bright orange flames came into view. He made a left away from the growing inferno, hoping the victim managed to evade the worst of the fire.
His breaths were heavy and loud, and he was running out of time. His radio sounded in his ear, Chase’s voice coming over the speaker. “Is everything clear so far?”
“Affirmative, but I have other rooms to search.”
“It’s starting to spread to the east side. You need to pull back.”
“I’m not pulling back until the victim is in my care.”
“Chief, I don’t think—”
“Exactly, I’m the chief. I’m not pulling back.”
“All right.”
“Make sure it doesn’t spread to the attic.” If the fire spread to the floor above him the chance of the ceiling collapsing increased.
“We’re going to relieve pressure from the roof.”
Sam hurried to the next room, knowing damn well that time was ticking, and if anyone was inside, their chances of survival diminished by the second.
He narrowed his attention on the space in front of him, following the curve of a wall. His heartbeat picked up as he turned the corner. He flashed his light to the far side of the room and relief flooded through him as his eyes settled on the victim. The man’s hand covered his mouth with a wet rag and Sam immediately went to him. Sweat dripped down his forehead, leaving a trail through the black soot that coated his skin. Sam pulled an oxygen mask over the man’s face. “I’m going to get you out of here,” he assured him.
The man nodded, but the fear in his eyes was palpable. His gaze shifted to the rising flames that licked at the far-right wall, and Sam watched as the fear turned to panic.
“Look at me,” Sam said, pointing to his eyes. “I need you to stay calm. Can you do that for me?”
The man nodded again.
“Good. Now let’s get you out of here.”
Sam surveyed the space and, within seconds, had them moving toward safety. Flames engulfed the room just as they made their way out. Intense heat surrounded them, the temperature rising with each step, and though Sam was protected, the victim wasn’t.
He focused on the path to safety, envisioning the clear white mountain air. It had been less than five minutes since he’d entered the home, but time didn’t exist in a fire. Everything moved in slow motion.
The lights of the fire truck broke through the smoke and just as Sam was ready to claim another victory a loud crash behind him nearly knocked him off balance. He spun around, his eyes taking in the partially collapsed ceiling, and the man who was feet away from safety trapped beneath the rubble.
The man reached out to Sam, his face twisted in fear and his eyes wild with terror. Sam acted fast, looking for a path, a single opening to get through the debris.
“I don’t want to die,” the man said, and for a split second the victim became a friendly face. A man Sam knew that had a family that needed him. A man who was only just starting his life.
Sam swallowed down his own rising panic. Panic never helped a situation. It never solved a problem. He needed to think, he needed to move, and he needed to do it now.
He spotted a break within the debris and ran toward it, but before he made it the weight of the world fell on his shoulders. Unable to fight against the heavy mass, he fell to the ground with a thud.
Pain shot through his body, but he didn’t have time to hurt. He pushed up with his hands, but only half his body moved. He tugged at his leg and twisted back and forth, using every ounce o
f energy he had to free himself. Liquid fire exploded in his chest as his adrenaline kicked in.
He yanked at his leg and a scream ripped from his throat as hot throbbing pain overpowered him. Heat crept into his veins, and his body shook with exertion.
His fingers dug into the floorboards as he tried to claw his way to freedom, but no matter how hard he tried he couldn’t break free.
“No!” The man’s voice echoed through the crackling fire and Sam met his gaze. “I’m going to die.”
Sam bit back the tears that threatened. He was helpless against the rising heat, against the clock ticking down on what little oxygen they had left, but he wasn’t ready to accept defeat.
“That’s not an option,” Sam called out to him. “Stay with me. Everything will be okay.”
Flames leapt across the fallen debris, cutting them off completely.
“No!” Sam slammed his fist into the floor beneath him. Anger and uncertainty swirled together, but he fought the unhelpful thoughts. “Everything will be okay,” Sam said again. “Everything will be okay.”
Hadley’s face flashed into his mind. Those beautiful slate blue eyes had the ability to look deep into his soul. Her dirty blonde hair always had a piece of hay in it, and he’d wanted so desperately to tuck it back behind her ears. Her rose colored lips curved upward, and he focused on that, finding peace within her smile.
His personal alarm safety system went off, alerting his men that he was down.
“Get him out of there now!” Matt’s voice drifted into the house then everything went silent.
Sam held onto the image of Hadley’s face, allowing her smile to help him fight the darkness, but even she couldn’t help him now.
“I love you, and I’m sorry,” he said just as he slipped into the blackness.
Chapter 2
5 months earlier
After a successful day of rescuing a family of five that swerved off the road to avoid a deer, Sam walked into Calhoun’s ready to unwind and throw back a beer.
There weren’t many places in Red Maple Falls where Sam could go that wasn’t full of people he’d known since he was a kid, but Calhoun’s sat on the town border, making it close enough to the outside world and brought people in from other towns. It’s where he went whenever he was in need of a woman’s companionship. Calhoun’s always guaranteed a good time that ended up in the back of a car down some desolate road.
Tonight though, he wasn’t looking for a good time—not that he would dismiss the opportunity if it arose—he just wanted to catch up with his best friend. They’d both been so busy, especially since Matt was a new father that they hadn’t had as many chances to hang out.
Declan, the bar owner, and one of Sam’s good friends, held his arms up when he spotted Sam. “Sam my man,” he said as Sam approached. “Your usual?”
Sam nodded as he slipped onto one of the barstools. Declan disappeared for a second then returned, pushing a pint glass filled with Sam’s favorite IPA across the bar top.
“Thanks.” Sam picked it up and took a sip, his eyes settling on a brunette at the far end of the bar. Her shirt dipped low in the front, and she leaned forward showing him exactly what she had to offer. A tempting sight, but if he abandoned ship to go after a girl before Matt even showed up, Matt would never let him live it down. So he swallowed down the desire to go to her and instead flashed her a smile.
He turned back to Declan and took another swig from his glass. “Good fucking beer,” he said.
A hard hand clamped down on his shoulder and gave him a shake. Sam put his glass on the bar before he wound up wearing his drink.
“That’s because my brother is the master,” Matt said, referring to his brother Mason who owned Five Leaf Brewery and was the genius behind the beer Sam was drinking.
Sam smirked. “Too bad that gene skipped right over you.”
“Hey, I’m a master in many things,” Matt said as he slid onto the stool next to Sam. He must’ve stopped home and changed out of his Sheriff’s uniform since he was in jeans and a dark green thermal.
“Driving everyone crazy doesn’t count.”
Matt nodded to Declan who grabbed a glass and started filling it.
“I think that’s a pretty damn good skill,” Matt joked.
“You’re the only one.”
Declan returned, sliding Matt’s drink across the counter. Sam took a glance back to the brunette and caught her staring at him. He gave her a wink and watched the sexy blush spread across her cheeks before turning back to his friends.
“How’s fatherhood treating you?” Declan asked Matt.
“Pretty great actually.”
Matt being the oldest out of six was destined to be a father. It was in his blood unlike Sam who wouldn’t burden any kid with his tainted bloodline.
“Wait until the kid can talk back,” Sam said. “I personally am looking forward to it. If he’s anything like you.” Sam shook his head and laughed. “Your poor wife.”
Matt got a stupid grin on his face at the mention of his wife. “Shay married me. She knew what she was getting into.”
“The woman’s a saint,” Sam said. “I don’t know how she deals with you.” Sam was mostly joking, but it was no secret that Matt could be overprotective, overbearing and basically a pain in the ass toward the people he loved. It came from a good place which was why Sam felt it was okay to joke about it.
“Because when you love someone you can look past all of that.”
“Did you read that in a Hallmark card?”
Matt laughed. “Shut up, asshole.”
Sam gave another quick glance over his shoulder to the brunette instantly meeting her gaze.
“Don’t you ever get bored of it?” Matt asked, bringing Sam’s attention back to him.
“Bored of what?”
“Sleeping with random girls. Never having anything last past morning.”
“Nope.”
Matt gave him a skeptical look then quickly shook his head. “What the hell am I saying? You weren’t cut out for long term relationships. I’d honestly feel sorry for whatever girl sunk her claws into you. You’re incapable of staying faithful.”
Sam patted Matt’s shoulder. “Thank you for finally realizing that.”
“It wasn’t a compliment.”
“I know.”
Matt rolled his eyes and went to take a sip of his beer when his cell rang. He fished it out of his pocket and while he was busy Sam turned back to the brunette. He didn’t have any plans to get laid tonight, but when a beautiful brunette was practically undressing him with his eyes, there was no way he could walk away from the chance.
“Hey, Hads. What’s up?” Matt said and Sam turned to ease drop on Matt’s conversation with his sister. “I’m working a double. I can’t.”
“What’s she need?” Sam asked.
Matt pushed the phone away from his mouth. “She’s picking up a foster in Mass and wanted me to go for the ride.”
“When?”
“Tomorrow morning.”
“I’ll go.” Sam offered without hesitation.
Hadley had been fostering dogs for the past five years and Sam admired her devotion to the four-legged fur balls. He wouldn’t mind taking a ride with her to go help out another dog in need. Truth was, somewhere along the way, the little girl with the pigtails that used to climb trees and play with all the farm animals, including the chickens, became one of his closest friends.
He loved spending time with Hadley and since he had the day off tomorrow he didn’t mind spending it in a car with her.
“Sam said he can go with you.” Matt listened as Hadley spoke and Sam waited to hear what she was saying. “Okay talk to you soon.” Matt hung up and placed his phone on the bar. “She said be at her house at seven and don’t forget to bring a treat for Lady.”
Sam laughed. Lady was Hadley’s dog, an adorable senior golden cocker spaniel who Sam made the mistake of giving a treat to the first time he met her. Now every time he saw
the dog she expected something.
“Thanks for offering to go with her,” Matt said.
“It’s no big deal.”
“It gives me peace of mind. I don’t want her driving to Mass by herself.”
“You do realize that she’s thirty-one, right?”
“And your point is?”
“God help you if you ever have a daughter.”
Matt eased his arms onto the bar and looked at Sam. “Honestly, I might need you to commit me then.”
“You can always count on me, brother. I got your back.”
“Except when you’re constantly distracted by a brunette at the end of the bar.”
“You noticed that, huh?”
“You’re not as smooth as you think you are.”
“Oh, but I am.” Sam downed the rest of his beer and placed the glass on the bar ready to make his move.
“While I’d love to sit around and watch you work to get laid, I have to get home.”
Matt pulled out his wallet and Sam held his hand up. “This round’s mine. You get the next. Tell Shay I said hi and give my god son a kiss for me.”
“Will do, but try to stop by sometime this week.”
“I’ll bring Missy by on Wednesday.” His half-sister would love to see the little guy and he could kill two birds with one stone.
“Sounds like a plan.” Matt nodded his goodbyes to Declan before patting Sam on the back. “Be safe.”
Sam’s mouth curved into a big smile. “I always am,” he said before heading over to seal the deal.
Chapter 3
A flat tire was not the end of the world, but it also wasn’t how Hadley Hayes wanted to start her morning either. “Stay here, girl,” Hadley said to Lady as she pulled up the e-brake of her pickup then slid from the door.
She looked down at the driver side tire and just as she expected: flat as a pancake. Luckily, her father had taught her how to change a tire when she was fourteen—a skill that had come in handy many times before.
With luck, she would be back on the road in the matter of minutes. The spare, along with the jack and the cross wrench, were in the bed of her pickup, and she went around to gather them.