What do you say to the woman you
love after she left your for another man? For four years that question plagued
Mitch Chambers. Now he watched the woman enter the Forest Ridge Fire Department
and knew he needed an answer. With her profile facing him, he observed her
before she noticed him.
Abby Denton lowered the hood of her
coat to uncover long, flowing blonde hair. A vivid image of her hair caressing
her creamy breast while they made love returned full force. Mitch’s gut twisted
as the memory replayed in his mind.
Standing behind Abby was a little
girl about two years old. With a petite form and long blonde hair, the child
was a miniature of her mother. Mitch’s gaze returned to Abby. Her coat
concealed her figure until she cradled her stomach and revealed the silhouette
of a woman at least eight months pregnant.
His heartbeat accelerated. That
could have been his child Abby carried and his daughter at her side if only
Abby had kept faith in him and their love.
She leaned closer to her child. The
interaction between mother and daughter tore at his heart and reopened his wounded
emotions; emotions he’d hoped to keep in check while they worked together. He’d
repeatedly told Hank; his friend and Forest Ridges’ Fire Marshall, he could
work with Abby. He knew he’d have to struggle with the fact she loved another
man. Yet, to see a visible sign of Abby’s love for that man was almost
unbearable.
Having handled twenty arson fires in
a month, his volunteer fire department was taxed to their limit. They’d agreed
Abby, an acclaimed sketch artist, known for his ability to take the scantest
details from witnesses and create a likeness, would help them find their
arsonist. For his department he had to work with her.
Abby unzipped her coat and revealed
something yellow and white she’d hidden inside. When she handed the baby
blanket to her daughter, the young girl smiled and clutched the blanket to her
chest. Abby slipped her coat from her shoulders, uncovering her slender body
and revealing the fact she wasn’t pregnant.
Relief slowed Mitch’s heart rate to
a more reasonable beat. He exhaled the breath he’d held and crossed the room.
“Abby.” His voice sounded husky and
breathless, lacking the detachment he’d hoped to express.
When she turned his direction, he
had the full impact of the image he’d tried, but never succeeded, to erase from
his mind. Soft gray eyes studied him with such intensity Mitch was sure she
could see into his soul. Despite her scrutiny he couldn’t tear his gaze from
her oval face. He’d made the mistake and lowered his gaze to her mouth. Full
luscious lips. Her lips had always ignited his passion.
“Mitch.” She gave him a tentative
smile.
Always a woman who knew what she
wanted, her hesitation surprised him. She wasn’t fully committed to work with
him. He could see her indecision in her eyes. He wouldn’t allow their
unfinished past to hamper this case.
She
extended her hand to him. Her slender fingers felt soft against his calloused
hand. Struck by her gentle touch, he felt suspended in the past. Pleasant
memories of their time together raced through his mind. He stared at her hand
locked in his grasp. She used to greet him with a hug and a passionate kiss
instead of an impersonal handshake. He released her grip and forced his
thoughts to the present, fighting hard to forget the intimacy
