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

Sully and Grady both looked at him with concern. “You okay?”


He nodded. “Just need to get some extra air in the old lungs. I’m fine.”


“Listen,” Grady said after a few seconds. “I need you to head back down the canyon and see if you can get through to Sandy on the radio. We need to know if the Forest Service is getting on this. We’re not going to be able to do more than slow it down. From that first gate you should be able to reach town and relay back to us here.”


“I’ll go and help you get the hoses free,” Sully offered. He glanced at Grady for a split second. “I’ll bring back some tools and we can go up the hill, too.”


Grady nodded. “Okay, but we ought to try to back this rig down a ways and get off the track so the Forest Service crew can get through. You handle this clunker better than I do. Maybe we should switch jobs here.”


Chapter 13