The Choice (24 page)

The paramedic removed Drake’s oxygen mask under protest.

“Good work...hot...shot.” He stared into her eyes until her own shimmered with tears.

“I love you, Drake.”

“Love...you.”

Then the toughest man she’d ever met passed out.

“He’ll be okay,” the paramedic assured her as he placed the mask back over Drake’s face.

“Promise?”

“Yeah. He won’t be dancing anytime soon, but we’ve got him stabilized. He’s in excellent physical shape, so I think you can relax.”

Relax. She wanted to laugh, but she was too blasted tired.

But there was hope, in all sorts of ways. She’d made her choice, and Drake would live.

And somehow she would learn to live with Belinda’s death. This time with Hafner had made her see that Belinda had been way out of her league and far too isolated for Jillian to have intervened, regardless.

Jillian laid her head next to Drake’s, touched his arm simply for the comfort of feeling him.

And, for the first time in longer than she could remember, let go.

###

About the Author

USAToday and Kindle bestselling author of over 30 novels in romance and women’s fiction, a three-time RITA finalist and RT BOOKReviews Career Achievement Award winner, Jean Brashear knows a lot about taking crazy chances. A lifelong avid reader, at the age of forty-five with no experience and no training, she decided to see if she could write a book. It was a wild leap that turned her whole life upside down, but she would tell you that though she’s never been more terrified, she’s never felt more exhilarated or more alive. She’s an ardent proponent of not putting off your dreams until that elusive ‘someday’—take that leap now. 

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