When Forest Ridge, Oregon is terrorized by an
arsonist, Fire Chief Mitch Chambers vows to do whatever it takes to protect the
community--even work with the woman who left him four years ago.
EXCERPT: Rekindled Love
He saw no one as he made his
way up the incline to the dilapidated storage shed. Situated on the edge of an
older residential area, the structure he’d picked was perfect. The weathered
building appeared vacant, and a large empty lot separated the shack from the
nearest house. He pushed opened the unlocked wooden door and removed the
backpack full of supplies from his shoulders.
After wiping his sweaty
palms on his pant legs, he opened two small containers and sloshed the liquid
on the wooden floor. Soon the pungent aroma of gasoline filled the room. He
placed the igniter in a bed of steel wool then attached the wires to the small batteries
and the timer. After picking up his backpack, he hurried from the shed closing
the door behind him.
He glanced in both
directions. Confident no one was in the area, he walked up the dead end street.
His heart hammered in his chest. Ignoring his trembling hands, he removed a
pack of cigarettes from his coat pocket. After he flicked his lighter, he
stared at the bluish-yellow flame. Excitement raced through his veins.
A foggy mist hugged the
ground and darkness shrouded the sleepy little town. Despite the wetness from
the damp, January air, he crouched at the edge of the trees across from his
target and waited.
He pulled a long drag on his
cigarette then checked his watch. Two minutes before the hour. He’d completed
his work on schedule. He had everything under control. Nothing would stop him.
With the heel of his shoe, he ground out the butt.
The ignition flared to life.
Shattering glass and splintering sounds of wood interrupted the stillness.
Debris shot in every direction. "Damn," he muttered as he covered his
ears with his hands, blocking the pressure from the explosion. The detonation
was more powerful than he’d anticipated. The flames were clearly visible
through the gaping hole in the side wall. No alarms, no security, and no
advance warning. Everything had gone according to his plan. His gaze locked on
the growing flames.
"Fire! Fire!" A
man pounding on a neighboring house drew his attention down the street.
"There’s a fire over there. Call 911," the Good Samaritan shouted as
he pointed up the street.
He didn’t plan for anyone to
discover the fire until it was too late. He needed more time. The firefighters
would destroy his masterpiece.
In the distance, the fire
alarm clanged to life at the station. Within minutes, he tuned into the sound
of sirens growing louder with the approaching trucks.
Anxiously, he looked at the
shed. A smile formed on his lips when he noticed the flames reach the top of
the window frame. Hopefully, the fire would finish the building before the crew
arrived. He drummed his fingertips against his forehead.
Red lights from the
approaching trucks flashed, brightening the pre-dawn darkness. He didn't intend
to stay once the crew disembarked. On second thought, he'd enjoy watching their
futile efforts to extinguish his creation.
REVIEW:
Definitely not your normal run of the mill romance novel. On
the whole a very good book and well worth reading.
Orchid for Long and Short Reviews
ALSO BY ROSEMARY INDRA
BLURB:
Scott Denton always thinks of Penny Herrington as his best
friend, a co-worker in the Forest Ridge Fire Department. She tricks him into
helping her with the decorations for the Sweetheart Banquet. During their
discussion about love and romance, Scott starts to notice Penny as a desirable
woman.
When Penny hurts her ankle, Scott feels responsible and
decides to move in with her. Spending time together, they share intimate
discussions about love and marriage. Penny, a widow, feels guilty when her
relationship with Scott becomes romantic. Devastated after a nasty divorce,
Scott no longer believes in love and vows he’ll never remarry. He denies his
feelings for Penny until he realizes only she can comfort him after he assist
the fire department at a tragic car accident.
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