Crave the Heat by Marnee Blake Book Tour and Giveaway :)
Crave
the Heat
The
Smokejumpers #2
by
Marnee Blake
Genre:
Romantic Suspense
Pub
Date: 1/15/2019
Smokejumper Dak Parrish
has come home to Oregon to fight fires—and to mend fences with his
family. He left the Warm Springs Tribal Reservation after feuding
with his father. Now, with tribal lands threatened by an arsonist,
Dak gets a chance to make amends by acting as a liaison between the
reservation and the forest service criminal investigator—a woman
who sparks a surprising and hungry flame in him.
After a trauma on the
east coast, Heidi Sinclair left DC to start fresh as a criminal
investigator in Oregon. But her first serious investigation provides
one stubborn obstacle after another—including an arrogant
firefighter she suspects knows more than he's saying. Though she
tries to battle her attraction to Dak, it’s too late. As they track
down the arsonist, someone will do whatever it takes to keep old
secrets buried, even if it turns everything Heidi and Dak have fought
for to ashes . . .
Shrugging
into the gray T-shirt he’d brought with him, Dak didn’t seem to
be paying attention to Kirk. She couldn’t focus either, distracted
by the play of muscles along his big chest. As
her gaze met his, a zing of connection reverberated between them.
Surely it had affected him, too. Proving her point, the right side of
his lips tilted up, revealing a hint of straight white teeth. That
halfway grin. The lace of heat in her gut reminded her that it had
been way too long. Well,
she didn’t have the emotional bandwidth for that kind of sexy right
now. To be honest, she might never have that in her again. But,
she could act professionally. Her job, her work, that’s what she
had. Inhaling shakily, she extended her hand. “I’m Special Agent
Heidi Sinclair. Call me Heidi.” He
extended his hand, the muscles along his arms and chest flexing. Not
that she noticed. His
fingers engulfed hers. “Dak Parrish. Your tagalong.” The corner
of his mouth turned up again. He’d heard her, then. If she was the
sort to be embarrassed about stuff like that, she would be. But she
wasn’t. So she grinned back. “Exactly.
You’re tagging along, so I can get a quick assessment. You’re
here because they want you here.” Tension
exploded into the silence. If she was the kind of girl who cared
about awkwardness—she wasn’t—it might have bothered her. Dak
Parrish’s eyebrows lifted, and his lips twitched again. “Noted.”
“Fine.”
She was proud that she kept her eyes trained on his. “Yes.”
He folded his arms over his chest. “Fine.” “Then
we are in agreement. My son will accompany you to the point of origin
today for your initial pictures and reports.” The man who had come
in with Dak was dressed too smoothly, everything too neat and
perfect, even his smile. His voice was imperious, like a king
visiting the masses. This was a man who was used to getting his way,
someone who got things done. Heidi disliked him immediately. Lyle
Parrish. This guy was super-hot, looked-good-in-dirt-and-smelling
like-smoke guy’s dad. Bottom
line: this was her job. She worked for the Forest Services, and part
of that included maintaining good relations with the local
communities, including the tribal ones. So, fine. If everyone wanted
her to wander out to the side of the mountain today, she’d go. “Yes.
We’re all in agreement.” Lyle
Parrish’s smug grin made her grind her teeth. “Well,
then. I should get going. It’ll be dark soon.” She offered a
glance at Dak. “We may need to camp there.” Then she smiled at
Mitch. “Thank you again. I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of each
other.” Unlike Parrish and Kirk, she’d liked him right away. Dak?
She’d reserve judgment. Right now, she couldn’t decide, thanks to
her annoying immediate attraction to him. Well,
that was enough public relating for today. She bid the two men from
Warm Springs goodbye and left the air center, ignoring the
appreciative glances from a couple of the other jumpers milling
around. She had a job to do, and she couldn’t afford to be
distracted. Besides, a big male body had been the start of her
problems in Washington. That wasn’t a mistake she planned to repeat
here.
Crunching
across the gravel parking lot, she headed to the SUV the Forest
Services had issued her. According to what Mitch had told her, the
point of origin for the recent wildfire was on a hillside to the west
of the reservation. She already had her gear in the back. Pulling her
phone up, she mapped the area, wondering what the best route would
be. She’d also need to contact her superior, let him know about
this new development. “Hey.
Wait up.” Dak trotted up to her. “I’m supposed to keep you
company.” It
had been a while since she’d been a girl who needed company. He
definitely didn’t look like the kind of guy who would be used to
being unwanted. Maybe all he needed was to be let off the hook. She
halted, squinting
up at him in the midday sun. This close, she was painfully aware of
how tall and broad he was, dwarfing her five-foot-four-inch frame. “Look,
Dak, you seem like a nice enough guy and I get the impression you’re
getting dragged into this. So, if this isn’t your scene, I get it.
You can bail. I can wait until tomorrow for the investigator.” “What
kind of nice enough guy would I be if I did that?” He hitched his
thumbs into the belt loops on his pants. “What’s that?” “Point
of origin.” She lifted her phone, showing the map.
He
cocked his head and grinned as if he found her adorable. “That’s
not going to help you.” She
glared at him. “Google maps is quite—” “Trust
me, I’m better.” He folded his arms over his chest. “Come on. I
can help. I’m a great tour guide.” She
rolled her eyes. “You ever hiked that ridge?” He
grinned. “Once or twice.” Of
course he had. Guess she wasn’t going to shake him. The lights of
her SUV flashed as she unlocked the doors. “Climb in, then.”
Tempt the Flames
The
Smokejumpers #1
Meg
Buchanan is determined to prove she didn’t get the trainer job in
Redmond, Oregon’s rookie smokejumper class because of her family’s
long history as firefighters there—or out of pity. But if teaching
one of her own brothers isn’t challenging enough, Lance Roberts is
in the new class of recruits. Once her brother’s best friend, and
her first, unrequited crush, he’s also the son of the man
responsible for her dad’s death.
Lance is stunned to
realize that this confident redhead is the stubborn girl he once
dreamed about. There’s no way he can fall for her now. He needs to
focus all his attention on his training—and discovering the truth
about the long-ago fire that killed both of their fathers. But as the
undeniable heat between them threatens to ignite, someone attempts to
put an end to Lance’s amateur sleuthing—and his life…
Chapter 1
Driving
from Bend to the smokejumper base in Redmond, Oregon, was like
traveling back in time. It only took a half an hour, but the trip set
Meg Buchanan back ten years. As
she pulled into the parking lot of Redmond Air Center, the tires of
her Forerunner crunching on the dirt and gravel drive, she repeated
the pep talk she’d been giving herself the entire ride. She
had the job. She was officially an assistant trainer and safety
instructor for this year’s Redmond smokejumper rookie training. She
wasn’t a firefighter, but she was a physician’s assistant with
lots of practical medical knowledge. She was qualified. More
importantly, she was a seasoned triathlete. She was in tiptop shape,
and she definitely could run some rookies through their paces. Add
her willingness to do the job for barely any money and her uncle’s
glowing recommendation, and she’d been approved. That
was her mantra. She could do this. She had the skills. She’d been
approved. She
refused to accept that she’d been given this job because of her
last name. Sure,
Will, her oldest brother, was an active Redmond smokejumper, and
Uncle Joe was the base manager. Her middle brother, Hunter, would be
in this year’s rookie class. Together, they made a pretty
impressive Buchanan family legacy at Redmond. But,
if she’d received preferential treatment, it was because her
father’s name—Jason Buchanan—rested on the memorial wall at the
base, along with the other firefighters who’d given their lives in
sacrifice to this job. After
shifting the truck into park, Meg dropped her hands into her lap and
abandoned that train of thought. No use tempting the universe by
spilling doubt and negative energy all over it. She had the
experience, and she was going to give this job everything she had. This
was her chance. She’d
never been able to become a firefighter like her brothers. After
hours of counseling, she couldn’t overcome her paralyzing fear of
fire. But, this? She could do this. These rookies were in for the
training of their lives. And
she’d finally feel like she was honoring her birthright. With
a deep breath, she checked her reflection in the rearview mirror.
She’d pulled her red hair into a low ponytail and applied light
makeup. Dressed in tan slacks and a pale pink blouse, she looked more
like she was seeing patients than reporting for a physical trainer
position. She was more comfortable, though, professionally dressed,
put together. If
things were orderly on the outside, the inside would follow. She’d
learned that lesson years ago, after her father’s death. Her mother
had cried, and their home fell to pieces. When people showed up with
food and condolences, the disaster in the house amplified how broken
they were. Dishes in the sink, overflowing laundry baskets. Sleep
eluded Meg those first nights, so she washed dishes, did laundry, and
dusted until her body gave out. The next day, she’d cooked to fill
the silence. The days stretched on, and no one ate unless they were
reminded. Eventually,
though, the movements of normalcy made her feel more normal. Fake
it ‘til you make it, her mom had joked. She’d never taken that
advice, but it had worked for Meg. Pretend until the lie matched
reality. She
exhaled slowly, pursing her lips. With shaking fingers, she smoothed
her perfectly tidy hair once more, nodding at her reflection. She had
this. Snagging
her wallet and phone off the passenger seat, she tossed them into her
well-worn gym bag and zipped it up. Slinging it over her shoulder,
she gripped the straps to her chest like a shield and opened the
truck door. Gravel
bit into her ballet flats, but she ignored the discomfort. Around
her, the parking lot was full of pickup trucks and Jeeps, a few
larger SUVs and late-model sedans, and even an Econovan thrown in for
good measure. The van had curtains. She wouldn’t be surprised if
its owner lived out of it. There
were a few guys unloading their cars, yanking duffel bags and
equipment from trunks. Most of them were in their twenties and
thirties. All of them were in amazing shape. The uniform seemed to be
a mix of camo, Under Armor, and facial hair. A couple of the men
paused to watch her walk by. Maybe
she should have put on her running clothes, some track pants. She
looked as out of place in her business clothes as a peacock at a
rhino tea party. Her
eyes straight forward, she hiked her bag higher on her shoulder and
picked up her pace. As she approached the door, her uncle stepped
out. “Meggy.”
His smile, buried under a few days of beard growth, was as warm as
always. Her shoulders relaxed in response. “You’re early.” She
stepped into his open arms. Uncle Joe gave the best hugs. “They
pulled back on my hours last week in preparation for my time here. I
finished earlier than expected today.” He
leaned out of their embrace, scowling at her. “You’re sure this
won’t affect your position with Dr. Colman, right? They’ll let
you return when training is over?” She
grinned at him. “I told you. Dr. Colman is happy that I’m
helping. She’s fine.” It had taken a little sweet talking,
playing up how good of a community outreach opportunity this was and
promising to pick up shifts on the weekends while she was at the air
center. Patrice Colman recognized a good deal when she saw it. She’d
wanted to start opening on Saturdays for months, so she hadn’t
passed up this opportunity. But, Meg wasn’t about to tell Uncle Joe
that. He
patted her shoulder. “That’s good, then. I’m not going to
answer to your mom if this impacts your career.” Meg
stiffened. “I’m twenty-five, Uncle Joe. I manage myself.”
Besides, they both knew her mother hadn’t managed much of anything
in years. Joe
nodded. “Right. Well, your brothers should be here soon. Do you
want me to show you around?” She
laughed. “It’s been a while, but I think I know where I’m
going.” She and her brothers had visited her father here often.
Years ago, her mother would bring the smokejumpers cookies, muffins,
whatever. She used to love to bake, and it gave her an excuse to see
her husband. These days, the only time her mother’s oven heated was
for the Sunday dinners Meg cooked for them.
Meg
scanned the exterior of the air center. “Place hasn’t changed.”
Ten years later, but the air center looked the same. Behind the
hangar, the airfield stretched across the open field. The Cascade
Mountains filled the horizon. Here, without the multi-story buildings
in Bend, the peaks were in full, majestic view.
“Why
ruin a good thing?” He chuckled, wrapping an arm around her
shoulder. “Come on. Let’s get you settled.” As
he guided her to the door, the rumble of an engine made her pause. Either
the Jeep that turned into the parking lot needed a new muffler or its
owner wanted everyone to hear him coming. As it parked, everyone in
the lot had stopped to look. Which meant this truck wasn’t a
regular fixture at the air center’s lot. She
sniffed. Apparently, the diva of this year’s class had arrived. The
Jeep’s engine died, and its doors swung open. Like the other men in
the lot, the one who jumped down from the passenger side was in
excellent shape. He was probably six-two or so, and his T-shirt did
nothing to hide the cords of muscle on his wide shoulders. But, it
wasn’t the passenger that snagged her attention. The
driver slammed his door and strode to the back liftgate. She didn’t
see his face, only the back of him, but his gait was familiar, with
more swagger than his passenger. He was as tall as the other man, and
just as broad-shouldered and slim-hipped. The tilt of his head as he
tossed a few bags onto the ground, the set of his shoulders as he
closed the back of the Jeep, though…if returning to the Redmond
base was a blast from the past, this man was a punch to the gut. “Lance.” She
didn’t realize she said his name out loud until Joe grunted. “Yes.
Lance Roberts.” Meg
hadn’t needed his confirmation. She’d know Lance anywhere. After
ten years, her body hadn’t forgotten watching him, wishing he was
hers, with the added misfortune of embodying the “little sister in
love with brother’s best friend” cliché. Hard
to forget embarrassment like that. Lance
the boy had been the stuff of her girlhood dreams, and more than a
few other girls’ dreams, too. As she watched, he grabbed his bags
off the ground and the muscles of his forearms tightened. Heat
stretched up her spine, warming her stomach. Lance
the man probably occupied more than a few women’s dreams now as
well. Meg
spun sideways, not wanting to be caught staring at him. “What’s
he doing here?” she whispered. She smoothed the end of her
ponytail, and then tugged at her blouse, straightening imaginary
wrinkles. Catching
herself, she squeezed her fingers together in front of her, forcing
them still. “Now,
Meggy. I need you to be open-minded. And, I need your help with your
brothers…” Joe’s head dropped, and he rubbed the back of his
head. “Joe,
what have you done?” There were only so many reasons that Lance
would be here, at the air center, right now…
“I
offered Lance a job, if he makes it through training.” His half
grin looked pained. “He’ll be in this year’s rookie training
class.”
Award-winning
author and RITA® finalist Marnee Blake used to
teach high school students but these days she only has to wrangle her
own children. Originally from a small town in Western Pennsylvania,
she now battles traffic in southern New Jersey where she lives with
her hero husband and their happily-ever-after: two very energetic
boys. When she isn't writing, she can be found refereeing disputes
between her children, cooking up something sweet, or hiding from
encroaching dust bunnies with a book.
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