Fawn ONE MONTH LATER “Thoughts?” Roscoe asks, his big arms wrapped possessively around Ginger. Bodie arches his eyebrow as we walk hand-in-hand through the meadow in the golden light of late afternoon. The towering, electric blue Alpha Ridge Mountains loom in the distance, snow-capped despite the August heat. And the meadow is enveloped on all sides by pristine, verdant woods. No backwoods cabins and trailers loom menacingly in the distance. No nosy neighbors and their spying grandsons wait to disclose my whereabouts. I could have peace here in this place. “The views are stunning,” I state the obvious. “And it feels safe and comfortable.” The mountain man giant nods. “And…

Stella Five Years Later Dante and I walk hand in hand up the big stairs into Tennessee Smooth Distillery to visit his daddy. The four-year-old holds a drawing he made in preschool that he insisted Daddy see as soon as possible. Since the fire, Colton and I have worked hard to rebuild our business and carve out a name for ourselves in Whiskey Flames Hollow, regardless of what the powers that be want. Fortunately, our firm grasp of technology and the internet have made getting back on our feet and expanding our footprint far easier than we initially anticipated. Especially after learning that Colton’s cousins in Pennsylvania continue to distill…

Reese After the visit to the museum, we have an incredible dinner with Emiliano and Manuel. Then Esmeralda and I help her grandpa retire to his room, touching base with the nurse we hired to care for him during our trip. As we head back to our honeymoon suite, something I insisted on with revenue flowing freely again, my body aches for my wife. Despite all the blessings that have showered down on us, the real treasure remains being in my wife’s arms. I barely get the door closed before the sexy blonde tackles me. Her arms cling to my neck, her lips straining to reach my lips, standing on…

Aspen Five Months Later I awaken slowly, wrapped in the warmth and security of Axel’s arms. His firm, muscular body is relaxed behind me still lost in sleep. I snuggle back into him, enjoying the feel of his firm morning wood pressed tightly against my ass. A low growl rumbles through his chest as he pulls me closer, whispering, “Morning, Tiger, how’d you sleep?” “Okay, once I finally found a position that didn’t make my back hurt.” “Did the body pillow help?” my cowboy mountain man asks lazily behind me, bringing his hand to palm my growing stomach. I’m five months pregnant with our first baby together, and I had…

Ridge Three Months Later “And now,” I whisper in a stealthy voice. “We approach the deadliest, most dangerous animal in the Sierra Nevada backwoods. If this creature is carelessly disturbed, it’ll lash out and has been known to tear grown men limb from limb. But I have a secret weapon. I know the creature’s kryptonite.” I lower my voice dramatically at the end.  I enter the zipped up navy blue tent quietly, my phone in one hand filming and my other hand holding a mug of steaming black coffee, freshly brewed in my French press.  “Oh, Ducky, are you ready for coffee yet?” I ask, looking towards the form buried…

Ginger FIVE YEARS LATER “Daddy, you’ll burn your tongue! The tea is hot!” Louise scolds, gasping at Roscoe. The burly mountain man with burnished gold hair sits cross-legged, patiently playing with our five-year-old daughter in the front yard of our expansive cabin. The cabin has undergone a transformation over the past few years, making room for our growing family.  Our oldest child, Louise, loves nothing more than staging afternoon teas that would put royalty to shame with her long list of rules and expectations.  Roscoe pretends to blow ineptly on the imaginary liquid in his cup, exaggerating his attempts until Louise giggles and covers her mouth with both hands. Daddy…

Briony FIVE MONTHS LATER I’ve never been a snob about flying first-class, but on our twelve-hour flight to Norway, I can’t imagine how I ever traveled any other way. Alaric sleeps like a baby next to me, but as we get closer to landing, I nudge him awake, palming his chest and kissing his lips. Nerves grip me, and my heart races.  “Mmm…” he says drowsily, his eyes still closed as he wraps his big arms around me. Against the shell of my ear, he whispers, “How did you know what I was dreaming about and bring it to life, Goddess? Are you adding mind reading to your list of…