When firefighter Grady Ashcroft adopts his deceased sister’s son, he knows life will change. He never expected to be a dad, but he’ll give young Jamie his best, even if it means a celibate life in a new home. He does not expect to find the man of his dreams in the Colorado village where he takes a new job, either.<br><br>Sullivan Parker wanted to be chief of the Valle Vista fire department when the former chief was forced to leave. Instead, the town council hires a stranger from far away. Despite his resentment, Sully finds himself drawn to the newcomer. He also discovers a need to take Jamie and the spotted pup the former chief left behind under his wing.<br><br>Can the brotherhood of battling dangerous blazes morph into stronger feelings for the two men, or will conflict prevail?

Smoke and Spots

“We’ll circle around on the uphill side and see how big it is. Maybe we can cut a break to slow it down.”


“Be careful and watch the wind. The heat can change the normal air flow and fires like to run upslope.”


Judy grinned. “Oh yeah, we’ll be watching. This ain’t my first rodeo, boss.”


Ambrose came trudging up next, red-faced and puffing. Grady sighed. He really didn’t like to have guys well over sixty on his crew, but he wasn’t in Kansas City anymore. Sully already had the pump working. Grady finished pulling off the second hose and, keeping the couplings up so they wouldn’t gather debris, he started dragging it closer to the fire. Sully began to unwind the first hose and followed him.


Grady glanced back and yelled directions, hoping to give Ambrose the easiest task he could. “Wait until Bob shows up, Ambrose, and then the two of you see if you can reach this truck with the hose from yours so we can transfer water.”


Chapter 12