The wait is finally over! Hadley and Sam's story is out today! Make sure you grab your copy and take advantage of the release day sale. $0.99 until midnight when the price goes up to regular price!
To celebrate here is a sneak peek at the first page!
The
stream of light from Sam’s flashlight was no match against the thick black
smoke that greeted him at the door. His life was falling apart around him, but
right now all that mattered was saving the victim trapped in the fire. He took
a calming breath and let every thought disappear until all he could think, feel,
and see was the task at hand.
He
reached for the lucky charm Hadley had given him, fishing around in his pocket,
desperate to find the familiar keepsake. His heart sunk when he pulled his
empty hand free. For the first time in fifteen years he would have to do
without it.
Sam
could hear screaming outside and Matt’s voice offering comfort while still
maintaining authority. He had fifteen minutes before he ran out of air. He
needed to move quickly and efficiently, not only to save himself but the victim
as well. Once they put water on the blaze it would become hotter, more
uncomfortable, and any victim in the house would be unprotected against the
scorching steam.
He
stepped farther into the unfamiliar house, the sounds from outside lost to the
crackling flames. His eyes swept across the space, making sure he wasn’t
putting himself in danger. If he went down, the victim had little to no chance
and that simply wasn’t an option.
There
was no way Sam could walk out of this house and look into the eyes of a little
boy and tell him he couldn’t save his father. Visions of a mid-morning visit to
the firehouse that was filled with smiles and laughs popped into Sam’s head but
he forced them away.
Every life was
connected in one way or another in the small town, and that was because Red
Maple Falls wasn’t just a town; it was a community of people who were as much
family to one another as their own blood. Which was why Sam couldn’t put a face
on the victim because as soon as he did emotion would take control.
Emotion made you
react without thinking, made you forget everything you were trained for and
opened you up to mistakes. He couldn’t allow any mistakes. Not when a good
man’s life was on the line.
In the twenty
years since he became a junior firefighter at sixteen, not a single person had
perished in a fire on his watch. He was willing to do whatever it took in order
to guarantee everyone’s safety.
Walls
of heat surrounded him, and sweat dripped down his face as the bright orange
flames came into view. He made a left away from the growing inferno, hoping the
victim managed to evade the worst of the fire.
His
breaths were heavy and loud, and he was running out of time. His radio sounded
in his ear, Chase’s voice coming over the speaker. “Is everything clear so
far?”
“Affirmative,
but I have other rooms to search.”
“It’s
starting to spread to the east side. You need to pull back.”
“I’m
not pulling back until the victim is in my care.”
“Chief,
I don’t think—”
“Exactly,
I’m the chief. I’m not pulling back.”
