Wildfire Sweethearts

Wildfire Sweethearts
Leigh Bale

Reunion Under FireEight months after their broken engagement, Tessa Carpenter is reunited with the man she could never forget—in the same wildfire fighting unit and now as her boss. With the mystery of why he ended their relationship still between them, Tessa’s not looking forward to working under Sean Nash. Sean promised to take care of his late friend’s sister. That meant walking away, sparing Tessa from his guilt over the accident that killed her brother. But working beside Tessa reignites the embers of his memories, fanning them into love once again. And forcing Sean to decide: bolt again…or stay and fight for the woman of his dreams.

Reunion Under Fire

Eight months after their broken engagement, Tessa Carpenter is reunited with the man she could never forget—in the same wildfire-fighting unit and now as her boss. With the mystery of why he ended their relationship still between them, Tessa’s not looking forward to working under Sean Nash. Sean promised to take care of his late friend’s sister. That meant walking away, sparing Tessa from his guilt over the accident that killed her brother. But working beside Tessa reignites the embers of his memories, fanning them into love once more. And forcing Sean to decide: bolt again…or stay and fight for the woman of his dreams.

Did he still love her?

The question echoed in her mind as he scooped her into his arms and carried her into the ER.

“Put me down. I can walk on my own.”

She was used to being strong, carrying her own load. She took care of people, not the other way around.

“Maybe you ought to admit that you can’t do everything alone,” he said. “You should accept help and say thank you.”

“Back at you, buddy,” she said.

At her comment, his jaw hardened, but he didn’t reply.

“Why do you keep shutting me out?” she asked. “You need me. Can’t you admit it?”

He met her eyes. Maybe she shouldn’t have said that, but lately she’d been thinking it was true. That maybe it had been a mistake to let him break up with her.

But a second chance with Sean? It was a risk she didn’t know if her heart could take.

LEIGH BALE is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author. She is the winner of the prestigious Golden Heart® Award and is a finalist for the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence and the Booksellers’ Best Award. The daughter of a retired US forest ranger, she holds a BA in history. Married in 1981 to the love of her life, Leigh and her professor husband have two children and two grandkids. You can reach her at leighbale.com (http://www.LeighBale.com).

Wildfire Sweethearts

Leigh Bale

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

—John 14:27

This book is dedicated to the Stanislaus Interagency Hotshot Crew. Thanks so much for your hospitality when I came to visit your home base. I learned so much in that short time and enjoyed every moment. Stay safe out there!

And many thanks to Greg and JoAnn Overacker. Your expertise and knowledge of wildfire fighting astound me. How I wish my husband and I lived nearby so we could meet and chat over dinner with you on a regular basis. You are two of the warmest, most generous people I’ve ever met.

Any errors in this book are mine alone.

Contents

Cover (#u23a6f131-f1c5-53cf-a76b-58b3369e46ca)

Back Cover Text (#uf7a37f95-98b8-5eda-a990-f57e7496690d)

Introduction (#u24b0e46d-7920-5b80-adc0-41ab632f5ba2)

About the Author (#ub9984ec6-d752-58f9-8c67-8292af652b87)

Title Page (#u4c6aaec3-aa98-5737-a8d4-f8b5c767bca1)

Bible Verse (#u407b8243-e27d-5540-b18a-e7c4e12ef6f4)

Dedication (#u988870a5-23db-5041-a3d8-785fe949d87a)

Chapter One (#ulink_bf1c9e2e-c219-52d3-b580-b56896c73e62)

Chapter Two (#ulink_1a8a742d-d09d-5e24-b9f2-390751647006)

Chapter Three (#ulink_4c70e670-d74f-5570-b91f-46e24e6753e4)

Chapter Four (#ulink_8c8e4a5e-aff7-507e-9486-d7f477ddf901)

Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Dear Reader (#litres_trial_promo)

Extract (#litres_trial_promo)

Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)