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had killed her. In turn, police located George in a park near the outskirts of Clifton with a
fatal gunshot wound. Ballistics confirmed the same gun that Belton Arro had terrorized
Autumn with had killed George. She shook her head and decided today she wouldn’t
think about the craziness surrounding the two arsonists and Cherry’s fate.
A breeze cooled the sunny day, and she flipped up the brim on her big straw hat and
glanced at the brilliance of clear Montana sky. She inhaled fresh mountain air and
enjoyed the tantalizing scents of flowers, fresh mown grass, and mouthwatering food.
Laughter echoed around the area. Hank’s Newfoundland, aptly named Mammoth,
chased kids around the tables. More hilarity rang through the crowd as the firefighters
clowned around, and Autumn’s heart glowed with contentment. Guttural male shouts
went up in the crowd as they watched the volleyball game. The game finished and the
Yellow team received a thorough ass kicking.
“Jeez,” Ginger said as she walked toward Autumn. “You’d think they were on the
bravest team or something.”
They strolled toward the grills where hot dogs and hamburgers sizzled.
Autumn grinned. “Men.” She knew Ginger referred to the football game held back
East between the FDNY and the NYPD every year. “I don’t think they’re quite ready for
a football team, do you?”
Ginger laughed and put her arm around Autumn. “Probably not. So, I hear rumors
someone is making a big announcement today.”
“Who?”
Ginger waggled her eyebrows. “I’m not telling. It’s a secret.”
“Are you trying to tell me that you and Hank are finally engaged?”
“I’m not tellin’.”
Sighing, Autumn stopped in her tracks. “Ginger, if you don’t—”
Hank let out another war whoop, startled them both as he rushed to Ginger, and
picked her up in his arms. He twirled her around and kissed her thoroughly.
As Autumn laughed, she looked around for the one person suddenly missing from
this contented crowd. Jack.
Where is the man of my dreams, anyway?
As if conjured from a wish, he appeared from a cluster of cheering firefighters. She
waved at him and then added a wink for good measure. His wicked answering grin made
her heartbeat quicken.
He sauntered toward her, and she felt a thick, hot desire settle in her stomach. The
handsomest man on the planet walked toward her shirtless, and his rippling, muscled
physique held her enthralled. His denim cut-offs displayed powerful legs. Well, life
didn’t get better than this.
He stopped in front of her and took her hand. As always, he kissed her fingers and
gave her a huge smile. “What’s a beautiful woman like you doing in a place like this?”
She favored him with her most seductive smile. “Waiting for pie.”
“No way. Were you planning on eating dessert first?”
She allowed her fingers to brush over his thigh for a second, then remembered where
they were. “No.” One eyebrow quirked up. “Unless, of course, you are the dessert.”
Jack leaned forward and gave her a tender kiss with a soft brush of lips against lips.
Tenderness deepened his eyes and made her say the words they’d repeated often in the
last few months.
“I love you,” she whispered.
She cupped his face in both hands and brushed her thumbs over his skin with a fond
reverence. “And I love you.” His voice, husky and deep, made her craving for him rise
higher. “When this event is over, I say we should have our own party.”
She allowed her hand to drift over the muscles in his chest. “A very intimate,
personal party?”
His gaze went thermal as he trapped her hand against his chest. “God, yes.”
After sharing another sweet kiss Jack said, “They’re getting ready to do the
ceremony.”
The ceremony. He didn’t have to explain.
A few moments later, they started a solemn tribute. On a small stage set up in the
back yard, a firefighter’s wife sang a song of love, peace and hope for the future. Soon
after she finished singing, Chief Hallam called for a moment of silence. Shortly later,
Chief began his speech.
“This could have been a difficult day for all of us as we honor those men, women,
and children who lost their lives one year ago today.” He cleared his throat. “But I know
they want us to be happy and keep light in our lives. We’re here to save lives and
property, ladies and gentlemen, and that’s what we’ll continue to do.” He held up his
glass of beer. “To those who lost their lives during the past year. And a special toast to
the Clifton Fire Department.”
After everyone toasted and the Chief left the stage, Jack’s brow creased in a frown.
He gazed at Autumn. “It seems like yesterday. Then again, I try not to think about it
much.” His fingers traced hers with a gentle, repetitive movement. “I have everything I
need right here.”
Someone tapped a utensil against a glass, and the noise attracted everyone’s
attention. Cries for quiet rang out in the yard.
Hank slid his arm around Ginger and as he looked at the crowd, he raised a glass of
wine.
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