Leigh Bale - Her Firefighter Hero

Taking a Chance on the Fireman

Young widow Megan Rocklin is trying hard to pick up the pieces. A year after her fireman husband’s death, she has managed to keep the family diner going and tend to her two active children, June and Caleb. She’s sure that’s all she can handle—and then Jared Marshall asks Megan to cater the meals for his hotshot crew. With his rugged good looks, the new fire management officer for Minoa, Nevada, turns many heads—but his heart lands straight on Megan. She’s promised herself she’ll never date another firefighter. But determined Jared refuses to give up on the family meant to be his…

Maybe now was the time to be honest with him.

“I’ve promised never to love someone that fights fires or works in a dangerous profession again. It’s nothing personal, Jared. But I just can’t go through the pain of losing someone again.”

It was better this way. Better for Jared, too.

So, why did she suddenly feel so lost and forlorn?

He went very still. “And that includes me?”

She looked down and swallowed hard. She didn’t answer. She didn’t need to.

“Well, at least you’re being honest with me,” he said.

She looked up. “I’m sorry, Jared. I don’t mean to hurt your feelings. It’s just that I’ve got two kids to worry about. I’ve got to put their needs first.”

His eyes crinkled in a smile of understanding, but she saw the pain in his eyes. “Believe me, I get it. But I’m not convinced I’m bad for you and those kids. I’m good for you, lady. You just can’t see it, yet. And I’m going to try my hardest to convince you that you need me.”

LEIGH BALEis 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.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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There is no fear in love;

but perfect love casteth out fear…

—1 John 4:18

This book is dedicated to my Jared,

who adores my daughter as we adore him.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Taking a Chance on the Fireman Young widow Megan Rocklin is trying hard to pick up the pieces. A year after her fireman husband’s death, she has managed to keep the family diner going and tend to her two active children, June and Caleb. She’s sure that’s all she can handle—and then Jared Marshall asks Megan to cater the meals for his hotshot crew. With his rugged good looks, the new fire management officer for Minoa, Nevada, turns many heads—but his heart lands straight on Megan. She’s promised herself she’ll never date another firefighter. But determined Jared refuses to give up on the family meant to be his…

Introduction Maybe now was the time to be honest with him. “I’ve promised never to love someone that fights fires or works in a dangerous profession again. It’s nothing personal, Jared. But I just can’t go through the pain of losing someone again.” It was better this way. Better for Jared, too. So, why did she suddenly feel so lost and forlorn? He went very still. “And that includes me?” She looked down and swallowed hard. She didn’t answer. She didn’t need to. “Well, at least you’re being honest with me,” he said. She looked up. “I’m sorry, Jared. I don’t mean to hurt your feelings. It’s just that I’ve got two kids to worry about. I’ve got to put their needs first.” His eyes crinkled in a smile of understanding, but she saw the pain in his eyes. “Believe me, I get it. But I’m not convinced I’m bad for you and those kids. I’m good for you, lady. You just can’t see it, yet. And I’m going to try my hardest to convince you that you need me.”

About the Author 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 .

Title Page Her Firefighter Hero Leigh Bale www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear… —1 John 4:18

Dedication This book is dedicated to my Jared, who adores my daughter as we adore him.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

“Order up!” Megan Rocklin slid a plate of scrambled eggs, bacon and hash browns beneath the warming lamp. As she wiped her damp hands on a clean dish towel, she took a quick glance at the tables in the diner. All but two were full, and the place buzzed with the happy chatter of satisfied customers. Not bad, considering she owned the only restaurant in town. If only it were this busy every other day of the week, she could pay off a few bills and breathe a bit easier.

Turning back to the grill, she picked up a spatula and flipped a series of pancakes. The air smelled of breakfast, warm and nice. It was her favorite part of the day. But she still needed to slice vegetables and fruit for the afternoon salad bar.

She slid open the glass pane of the window and welcomed the gush of fresh April air. Blazing sunshine taunted her. She’d like nothing more than to close up the diner, load her two kids and a picnic lunch into their rusty old truck and drive the twenty miles to Duck Creek Park. But taking a day off work was a luxury she couldn’t afford right now. She’d graduated from one of the top culinary schools in the nation, and look where she’d ended up. Living in the small, remote town of Minoa, Nevada.

Speaking of which. Where was Frank? The cook’s ten-minute break should have ended five minutes ago.

Megan tossed an irritated glance toward the back door. No doubt he was outside in the alleyway, puffing on a cigarette. She wouldn’t complain, though. Frank worked long hours without protest. A good, solid employee. She was just tired and grouchy, that’s all.

She forked a giant ham steak off the grill, slapped some eggs over easy and thick fries on the side, and garnished the plate with a slice of orange. Through the cutout window to the restaurant, she caught a glimpse of Connie racing back and forth to take orders, shuffle food and refill drinks. Megan should be out there helping her.

Blinking her gritty eyes, she gave the pancakes another flip. From all outward appearances, she didn’t miss a beat. But inwardly, her arms and legs felt like leaden weights. She hadn’t slept well the night before. In fact, she rarely slept through the night these days. Not since Blaine’s death last summer. And boy! Did she ever miss him today.