His Firefly Cowgirl (8 page)

“The fire marshal finished his investigation.” Clint’s statement got Dax’s full attention. “Someone did pour an accelerant around the perimeter of each building. Same substance, and he thinks it was ordinary gas. He suspects it’s the same guy who burned other various buildings in and around small towns in east Texas.”

“No shit.” Dax forgot about his beer. “Do they know who it is?”

“Nope, but he seemed right pleased to get a detailed report from a Sophie Barnes with information they hadn’t found at other sites.” Clint’s mouth twisted. “She wasn’t kidding when she said she was good at her job. Might help them break the case.”

“Fuck.” Dax put his head in his hands. “Everything always leads back to her.”

Lucas reached over and picked up the beer, taking a big swig. “You know my granddaddy always used to say there’s one mate for you in this life, and sitting on your ass isn’t going to change a thing. You gotta snatch at life with both hands or it’s gonna pass you by.”

“She might be my mate but she’s not gonna give me a third chance. I stepped in the shit too deep this time.” He glanced around at the four best friends he’d had all his life and realized that family was the most important thing. Family was more than blood. Lucas was a prime example of just that.

So was Sophie.

“If you’re going to get her back, you’d better learn to grovel.” Hannah smiled at him. “Girls like men who can grovel.”

They all laughed and called the server to order drinks. Dax had the support of his family. Now he had to find a way to convince Sophie they were meant to be together.

And practice being on his knees to grovel. He couldn’t let her get away this time.

Sophie unlocked the door to her townhouse a week after leaving Tanger, feeling more exhausted than she ever had in her life. She’d pushed herself beyond her limits keeping herself busy and occupied so she didn’t have to think about Dax. About how he’d turned all her friends against her, leaving her alone for years simply because he didn’t want any reminders of her existence.

The memory of that moment was like a knife to her heart. She closed the door and set the borrowed keys on the counter. Myron had texted her earlier that day letting her know her car was fixed and that she would have it back by evening.

The sedan was the last visual reminder of the two days she’d spent with Dax. It would be good to send it back where it belonged so she could get on with her life.

She consoled herself with the knowledge she hadn’t confessed how she felt about him. That at least she was grateful for. The past was too painful to set aside. She needed to bury it again. This time for good.

Sophie had asked her boss for a transfer to anywhere but Texas. She needed a fresh start away from memories, old and new. She might hear something next week.

For now Saturday was over. One more day and she’d travel to Austin for another investigation. One more day to get through with only herself as company. How was she going to endure the rest of her life? Being with Dax had reminded her of how much life should be enjoyed, not endured.

Sophie was eager to drop the shackles she’d wrapped around her own wrists and begin anew. No Tanger. No Dax. No heartache.

She took off her hiking boots and trudged to the kitchen to grab a beer. After she twisted off the top, the doorbell rang. She glanced at her watch. Myron was right on time.

She opened the door and almost dropped the bottle on her foot.

Dax stood there looking as perfect and handsome as always. Her heart clenched in pain. “Soph, I—”

She slammed the door in his face. He knocked softly.

“Please open the door.”

“Go away.” She took a gulp of beer, hoping she was hallucinating his presence.

“I can’t. I have your car keys.”

“Shit.” She closed her eyes. “Leave them on the mat and go away.”

“I can’t. You have my mother’s car keys.” He knocked again. “Please, Sophie.”

“I don’t want to talk to you.”

“Then just listen. I’ve been waiting all week to tell you this and with Hannah’s help, I’ve been practicing how to grovel. You are the one person I will always return to. You were my true north and I fucked it all up.” He spoke through the door. “I’m sorry. More sorry than I can possibly explain.”

“You should be. You were vindictive after I left and you took away the people I had left in my life.” She blinked as her eyes stung. “You left me with nothing.”

A pause while she drank more beer.

“I know. I was a dick. Believe me that my family and friends have been pounding me over the head with it for the last week.” A thump on the door. “Please, Sophie, let me see your beautiful face.”

“No.”

She waited a full minute and no sounds emerged from the other side of the door. She hadn’t wanted to see him but she was a little glad he apologized. That didn’t mean she forgave him.

“I love you, Sophie. Always have. Always will. You will always own my heart.”

She fell to her knees and set the bottle down. Her heart pounded at the words she’d hoped to hear. Was she ready to accept them and respond?

Sophie rocked herself for a few minutes while she contemplated what her choices were. If she opened the door, she was forgiving him. If she remained inside, she would be alone again.

Her heart cried out for Dax, for the perfect pair they made, for the children they could have together, for the future she could have if she took a chance and forgave him.

For the love she had for him.

She made it to her feet and opened the door to find the stoop empty. Her breath caught. She was too late. Sophie ran outside barefoot searching for her car. Searching for Dax.

“Looking for me?”

His voice came from behind her. She whirled around to find him sitting on her front porch swing. Sophie burst into tears and ran toward him. Dax opened his arms and she flew into them.

No matter what happened next. There was this. There was love.

About the Author

Beth Williamson, who also writes as Emma Lang, is an award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of both historical and contemporary romances. Her books range from sensual to scorching hot. She is a Career Achievement Award Nominee in Erotic Romance by Romantic Times Magazine, in both
2009
 and 
2010
, and a semi-finalist in the 2014 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest.

Beth has always been a dreamer, never able to escape her imagination. It led her to the craft of writing romance novels, fueled by Reese’s and tenacious pursuit of the perfect story. She’s passionate about purple, books, and her family. She has a weakness for shoes and purses as well as bookstores.

Life might be chaotic, as life usually is, but Beth always keeps a smile on her face, a song in her heart, and a cowboy on her mind. ;)

Website:
http://www.bethwilliamson.com

Facebook:
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Published by Beth Williamson

Copyright 2015 Beth Williamson

Edited by Catherine Wayne

Cover Design and Interior format by The Killion Group

http://thekilliongroupinc.com

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[email protected]
.

This book is a work of fiction. The characters, events, and places portrayed in this book are products of the author’s imagination and are either fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

For more information on the author and her works, please see
www.bethwilliamson.com
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ISBN: 9781943089024