“So.” She smiled at him. “What do you propose we do about it?”
“Dinner.”
“Are you asking me on a date?”
“Damn right I am.”
“I can’t wait.” Bonnie caressed his cheek with her hand as she leaned in. She kissed him as if she’d kissed him a million times. It was sweet and intimate.
The same medic and her partner came back over. “Agent, we should get her to the hospital.”
“Of course.”
“Will you come with me?” He helped her into the rig. As the doors were closing, Joshua noticed his dad and brother standing on the porch smiling.
“There’s no place else I’d rather be.”
The End
About the Author
Melinda Valentine was born in upstate New York. The youngest of four children (and the only girl) made it easy for her to turn to books as a companion. As a young child, she was whisked away to Baltimore, Maryland. She spent her youth reading books such as Nancy Drew, The Chronicles of Narnia, and The Little House on the Prairie saga.
Today, Melinda resides in wild and wonderful West Virginia. She’s head over heels in love with her husband, has three hilarious kids, and three of the cutest furbabies ever.
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Born to Hide
By Ginger Ring
Chapter One
Saige
A lightning flash caused her to flinch, the clap of thunder caused her to jump, and the slippery white paint stripe on the side of the road caused her to stumble, twisting her ankle. As Saige Hemmingway cursed and glanced up at the sky, a large raindrop fell into her eye. Her whole life lately had become one big miserable cause and effect.
Pulling her hood tighter around her head, she shivered and hurried to the light glowing from just over the hill. Even though she’d grown up in Lake Genoa, Saige wasn’t all that familiar with this area outside the town. Her father would have a heart attack if he knew his once promising daughter was slumming it on the other side of the tracks. Her rental car sat out of commission by the side of the road.
Both her parents would be fit to be tied if they knew she was even here, but then that boat had sailed a long time ago. Just coming over the knoll, her saving grace finally came into view, and her heart dropped. It was a bar. Not only that, but from the looks of several run-down vehicles outside, a dive bar at that. What did she expect? It wasn’t like she was near the fine historic mansions that graced Genoa’s lake shore.
The wind picked up, and Saige could hear the rain approaching fast. There wasn’t much choice; the tavern was the only option right now. Her ankle throbbed and her foot hurt as she hurried to the metal building with the flashing beer sign. As she slipped inside quickly, a gust of wind slammed the door behind her.
A shiver ran through her as she pulled her hood back and witnessed everyone in the room stop what they were doing and stare back. The jukebox played country western in the background, but other than that, no one said a word. Her eyes darted around the room. Except for the bartender, who seemed busy on her phone, there were only men in the joint.
As she weaved her way between tables, a burly guy in a leather vest blocked her way. Saige swallowed and shoved her hands in the pockets of her coat.
“Well, look what just walked in the door.” He appeared to be drunk, and the smell of beer on his breath verified that fact. “I was just saying we needed some female company for the night.” The tall man laughed and nudged the other fellows at the table, both enjoying her discomfort. “What’s your name, sweetheart?”
The name she’d been born with was on the tip of her tongue, but for some reason Saige couldn’t find her voice.
“Are you ignoring me, girl?” Leaning over, his face now so close, she could feel the heat from his skin.
“No, sir, I had some car trouble, walked a mile in the rain, and came in to get out of the storm.” But now the thought of going back outside actually held some appeal. Maybe there was a better place down the road.
The man took a step closer, invading her space. “I asked for your name, sweetheart.”
She managed to choke out, “Sa-Saige.”
“Well, aren’t you fancy. Sa-Saige.” A few other guys snickered and stood up. The trauma that had caused her to flee had just been reignited, but so was a new emotion. Anger. She was done being a doormat and having everyone push her around. Saige was tired of putting up with things she shouldn’t have for way too long, but she was outnumbered here.
“Look.” Holding her hands up, she tried to get her point across, but the guy took another step. “I don’t want any trouble. I just came in to call for help and dry off.” Retreating, her back met the wall.
“No one’s going to hear you call for help, and I don’t mind you being we―” A large hand settled on the man’s shoulder, and his flushed face turned white.
“You don’t mind what?” The voice that obviously went with the hand was low, sexy, and sent a shiver down her back. How she wished she had a glass of liquid courage right now. Saige felt like she’d walked into the twilight zone. She gulped, on the verge of tears.
“Never mind.” With a huff, the drunk turned and took a seat at his table. If only the man with the deep sexy voice would follow him. It’d been a long day, and all Saige wanted was a hot shower, a warm bed, and to be left alone, but with her car abandoned down the road with a flat tire, she wasn’t going anywhere soon.
As she rushed to the bar, her ankle hurt like a beast. “Do you have the number for a cab? I had car trouble and need a ride to town.” Leaning across the counter, she tried to get the attention of the barkeeper.
“I can give you a ride,” that same voice that came to her rescue said beside her.
Good grief! Could these guys just leave her alone? Taking a deep breath, Saige turned to face him. “Thanks for the offer but―” The words stuck in her throat as she turned his way. Standing beside her wasn’t some drunk guy hoping to pick up a chick for a night. No, it was a good bet that all this guy had to do was snap his fingers and ladies fell at his feet. He smiled, and she was no longer cold. The blue of his eyes reminded her of the Mediterranean Sea, a bright aqua blue. His face was tan from the sun, and a day or two’s worth of stubble graced his strong jaw. He had a noble nose and full lips. The man had to be at least 6’3” as he was a good head taller than her. His shoulder-length, dark hair practically begged a woman’s fingers to thread her fingers through it. The guy before her was either a living, breathing sculpture come to life or a GQ model. Why was he in this place?
“Tracy, two brandies, please,” he asked the barkeep, and in less than thirty seconds, a glass appeared in front of her. “Please take a seat.” The man settled onto a bar stool, and she did the same.