Jessica Keller - The Fireman's Secret

Rekindling Her Life

After the fire that injured her and burned down Goose Harbor’s only church fourteen years ago, Shelby Beck is planning to rebuild—the structure and her life. But her wounds have always caused her to keep men at a distance. When Joel Palermo returns to town as a fireman and is assigned to help Shelby raise funds for the new construction, she’s surprised at how easy it is to get close to her brother’s old friend. Could he be the man she’ll finally trust enough to let in? Or will the bond they’ve built go up in flames, when Joel’s own scars are revealed?

Goose Harbor: Love is in big supply on the shores of Lake Michigan

“Everything that’s happened to me isn’t worth repeating.”

Joel balled his hands and put them in his pockets.

“How come you won’t trust me?” Shelby whispered.

“Shelby—believe me when I say I already trust you more than any other person in my life.”

“I can only get as close to you as you’ll let me.”

Precisely the problem. Did he want a close relationship like she did? Sure, he enjoyed spending time with her and she got him to smile like he hadn’t in a long time. But were those things worth the pain that more than likely would accompany the moment she decided she was done with him?

Shelby looked as if she was going to start crying again. He had to say something.

He cleared his throat. Why was this so difficult? “I…I don’t want you to look at me differently.”

“I won’t.”

“You will. Everyone does.” They heard about sad little Joel Palermo and they all got the same look. That cartoon-eyes-welling-up-with-tears face. Their expressions a clear mix of wondering if they should hug him or step away slowly.

“Maybe we should go back.” Shelby sighed.

He caught her arm. “Stay. Please.” Joel’s eyes searched hers.

“Give me a reason to stay.”

JESSICA KELLER is a Starbucks drinker, avid reader and chocolate aficionado. Jessica holds degrees in communications and biblical studies. She is multipublished in both romance and young-adult fiction and loves to interact with readers through social media. Jessica lives in the Chicagoland suburbs with her amazing husband, beautiful daughter and two annoyingly outgoing cats who happen to be named after superheroes. Find all her contact information at jessicakellerbooks.com.

The Fireman’s Secret

Jessica Keller

www.millsandboon.co.uk

For we are God’s handiwork,

created in Christ Jesus to do good works,

which God prepared in advance for us to do.

—Ephesians 2:10

For my sweet Anna.

The person God made you to be will always

be enough. Never forget that or allow anyone

to make you feel differently. You are loved

beyond comprehension, just as you are.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Rekindling Her Life After the fire that injured her and burned down Goose Harbor’s only church fourteen years ago, Shelby Beck is planning to rebuild—the structure and her life. But her wounds have always caused her to keep men at a distance. When Joel Palermo returns to town as a fireman and is assigned to help Shelby raise funds for the new construction, she’s surprised at how easy it is to get close to her brother’s old friend. Could he be the man she’ll finally trust enough to let in? Or will the bond they’ve built go up in flames, when Joel’s own scars are revealed? Goose Harbor: Love is in big supply on the shores of Lake Michigan

Introduction “Everything that’s happened to me isn’t worth repeating.” Joel balled his hands and put them in his pockets. “How come you won’t trust me?” Shelby whispered. “Shelby—believe me when I say I already trust you more than any other person in my life.” “I can only get as close to you as you’ll let me.” Precisely the problem. Did he want a close relationship like she did? Sure, he enjoyed spending time with her and she got him to smile like he hadn’t in a long time. But were those things worth the pain that more than likely would accompany the moment she decided she was done with him? Shelby looked as if she was going to start crying again. He had to say something. He cleared his throat. Why was this so difficult? “I…I don’t want you to look at me differently.” “I won’t.” “You will. Everyone does.” They heard about sad little Joel Palermo and they all got the same look. That cartoon-eyes-welling-up-with-tears face. Their expressions a clear mix of wondering if they should hug him or step away slowly. “Maybe we should go back.” Shelby sighed. He caught her arm. “Stay. Please.” Joel’s eyes searched hers. “Give me a reason to stay.”

About the Author JESSICA KELLER is a Starbucks drinker, avid reader and chocolate aficionado. Jessica holds degrees in communications and biblical studies. She is multipublished in both romance and young-adult fiction and loves to interact with readers through social media. Jessica lives in the Chicagoland suburbs with her amazing husband, beautiful daughter and two annoyingly outgoing cats who happen to be named after superheroes. Find all her contact information at jessicakellerbooks.com .

Title Page The Fireman’s Secret Jessica Keller www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. —Ephesians 2:10

Dedication For my sweet Anna. The person God made you to be will always be enough. Never forget that or allow anyone to make you feel differently. You are loved beyond comprehension, just as you are.

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

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Moonlight flashed like a strobe light through the dense canopy of trees lining the road just a mile away from the shores of Lake Michigan. Shelby rolled down her window to let the cool breeze kiss her skin, but the air hung thick with a strong after-rain worm smell and the wind caused the important deed papers sitting on her passenger seat to stir. She promptly rolled the window back up.

Dampness clung to her toes. The running shoes she wore might be ruined now, but dogs needed to be walked and let outside for a little bit, even when it rained.

Her one working headlight bounced off a green sign. Welcome to Goose Harbor. As she read those words, the muscles in her shoulders relaxed instantly. Home.

Perhaps she’d drive past the land she’d inherited. Until now, she’d avoided the street the old church had been on—not wanting to see the barren lot or be reminded of the day that had changed her life. The congregation had never rebuilt the church after it burned down, and somehow Shelby felt as if her life hadn’t been able to move forward since then. Rebuilding the church wouldn’t take away the scars she had received from being trapped in the burning structure all those years ago, but maybe seeing the church standing again would help her move on.

It had to.

A hill came into view and she gunned the car’s engine. Bad idea. The vehicle started to shake uncontrollably.

“Please don’t die on me,” she begged. She eased off the gas and watched the dials on the dashboard bounce. “Please, please, please.”