id="u392f4f0d-6d3b-5aed-b309-7f7fbcb9104d">
Secrets are burning out of control
After she broke his heart in college, Faye Walker is the last person fire chief Reese Bristow ever expected to see again, especially as his new EMT. But that’s not Reese’s only surprise. Faye has an eight-year-old son, Elliott, whose counseling at The Lemonade Stand shelter is her first priority.
It’s nearly impossible to accept that she had a child with another man—and married that man—right after their breakup. Trusting Faye won’t be easy. Especially when she reveals a secret about the boy that might tear them apart for good.
“I...have a son.”
His hand suspended midair, the paper hanging there between them, Reese looked at her.
“His name’s Elliott. He’s... During the day he’s... There were only two places in the United States that offered the kind of nonresident counseling and education that he needs, and the other one is on the East Coast. I’d have to recertify and...”
She had a son. He dropped his hand to his side. His Faye. The woman he’d thought would be the mother of his children...had a son.
“He’s severely at risk, Reese. To move him now, after he’s started the program... To move him from Southern California, the only home he’s ever known... Please. Give me a second chance to show you that I have what it takes to be reliable. I’m good at my job. Really good. You’ve seen my credentials and performance reports. I won’t let you, your department or Santa Raquel down.”
“Severely at risk,” he repeated. “What does that mean?”
I’m so glad you’re joining us in Santa Raquel. I love this town, the beach, the people and, of course, The Lemonade Stand, Where Secrets are Safe.
The scary thing is that abuse comes in many forms. From different, often unpredictable, sources. It comes verbally, physically, emotionally. And sometimes...sexually.
The really, really good news is that in every city there are places where caring people help victims of abuse recover. Places where victims can find healing. Where many can find hope and the ability to open their hearts and love again.
This story is particularly close to my heart. I can tell you from firsthand knowledge that women suffer as Faye did more often than you’d ever expect. I can also say, unequivocally, that with love, kindness and the right man, women like Faye do find pure joy again. The world is filled with survivors. Women who know and value their strengths. Who reach out to other women who’ve been where they’ve been and are struggling to get where they are. Women who care.
Please come on in to The Lemonade Stand. Join us. As a collective group, we’re going to make the world a beautiful, safe place. One heart at a time.
I love to hear from my readers. Please find me at Facebook.com/tarataylorquinn and on Twitter, @tarataylorquinn. Or join my open Friendship board on Pinterest, Pinterest.com/tarataylorquinn/friendship!
All the best,
Tara
The Fireman’s Son
Tara Taylor Quinn
Having written over eighty novels, TARA TAYLOR QUINN is a USA TODAY bestselling author with more than seven million copies sold. She is known for delivering intense, emotional fiction. Tara is a past president of Romance Writers of America. She has won a Readers’ Choice Award and is a five-time finalist for an RWA RITA® Award, a finalist for a Reviewers’ Choice Award and a Booksellers’ Best Award. She has also appeared on TV across the country, including CBS Sunday Morning. She supports the National Domestic Violence Hotline. If you or someone you know might be a victim of domestic violence in the United States, please contact 1-800-799-7233.
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For the ones who know Faye’s story intimately—you are stronger than you know.
This is your reminder.
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