Instinct kicks in as Frankie
Chandler, former Navy nurse, now soon to be veterinarian, witnesses an accident
and rushes to save a man’s life. When State Trooper Rory Sanders arrives on the
scene, he’s awestruck at the sight of the gorgeous woman taking charge.
Once the frenzy is over,
both are reluctant to walk away from their mutual attraction. But they’ll each
have to get beyond their hesitations, such as Rory telling himself it’s okay to
let love in while raising his daughter after losing his wife, and Frankie who’s
never had a serious relationship in her life because she’s been focused on
school while also helping raise her nephew.
Will the power of love win
out and make their Christmas wishes come true?
EXCERPT
Rory
ran to the scene and catalogued what was happening. An older man stood by while
a younger man and a woman were crouched down attempting to pull someone out of
the car. He couldn’t see the woman’s face as her back was to him. All he could
see was a red and black flannel shirt atop jeans that fit snugly to a shapely
backside.
Jesus! What’s
wrong with you? You’re at an accident, not here to ogle this woman!
As
he got closer, he heard the woman yell, “Three!” And everything seemed to
happen at once. He heard the clicking of the seat belt, and he saw rapid
movements of the man and woman cradling the victim as they carefully maneuvered
him out of the crunched car. He saw the woman turn and bright green eyes
collided with his, leaving him momentarily stunned. Short blond hair haloed her
face as a rosy blush colored her cheeks. Probably from the exertion. Or more
likely from the heat of the car which suddenly had flames bursting from the
engine compartment.
“Move!”
the woman yelled.
While
they scrambled to pull the man further away from the vehicle, Rory shot forward
to assist. He grabbed near the victim’s shoulders while the woman held the
torso and the younger man moved to hold the legs. Together, they got the victim
a safe distance from the burning car before setting him down, he and the woman kneeling
at his upper body. Looking at the man, he noticed a gash across his forehead
that was bleeding freely, and he appeared unresponsive.
Before
Rory could act, the woman was tearing off her flannel to reveal a black tank
top beneath. As well as more shapely anatomy. Rory tried hard not to stare at
the generous breasts and the well-toned arms, at the intricate tattoo gracing
an arm—the design he couldn’t quite make out due to the woman’s quick
movements.
“He’s
unresponsive!” she yelled. “Hold this to his head while I start CPR.” She
shoved her shirt into Rory’s hands while she assessed for a pulse. She must
have felt one, because her next step had been to check for breathing. As her
cheek hovered above the victim’s mouth, she looked down at the man’s chest. Her
next move then had been to tilt the chin up and pinch this nose while she gave
breaths.
Oh, to have that
beautiful face so near to him. To have those lips touch his.
Rory
shook his head to clear his incredible thoughts, wondering what the hell was
wrong with him.
“His
pulse is faint but he’s not breathing,” she said. “I’ll continue breaths until
the ambulance arrives.”
That
prompted Rory to speak. “An ambulance should be here shortly, coming from
Gainesville.” While kneeling down on the opposite side of the victim, across
from the angel … er … the woman, he continued. “I’ll relieve you if needed. I’m
Trooper Sanders. Rory Sanders.”
After
two more breaths, the woman pierced him with her emerald eyes and said, “I’m
Chandler, Frankie Chandler.” Her voice had been almost lyrical even in the
tense situation, and he shouldn’t have been zeroing in on her plump lips, but
that’s exactly what he did.
“Used
to be a nurse in the Navy,” the older man supplied as he stated his name while
standing over the scene. “I didn’t think it wise to move the man, but she
seemed certain it had to be done. Good thing, seeing as he would have burned to
a crisp if not for her actions.”
Rory
looked to see flames licking over every inch of the vehicle. He clicked his
radio to update the situation, saying they’d need a fire truck and a wrecker on
scene. Once he got the affirmative from Dee, he faced the group again.
“That’s
for sure,” said the younger man. “I’m Frank and that’s my truck.” He indicated
to the parked semi with a nod of his head. “Saw this guy weaving all over, in
and out of traffic until he clipped my truck and flipped. Scariest thing I ever
saw.”
Rory
looked at each person before his gaze fell back onto Frankie as she finished
another round of breaths. Or was it
Franki? Or Franky? Dammit! Concentrate! “Pretty brave and quick thinking.”
“I
couldn’t not help. Instinctual
training took over.” She once again positioned her face over the victim’s mouth
while feeling his pulse. Bringing her head back up, she said, “Still not
breathing and his pulse is even weaker. May have to start compressions.”
Rory
nodded. “Are you still a nurse?”
“No.”
She shook her head. “I’m in my final year at U of F, becoming a vet.”
“A
veterinarian?” Rory asked, knowing he must have seemed dumbfounded. All he
could do was stare at Frankie, wanting to know more.
“Yes.”
She smiled. And boy, what that did to her face, her entire presence. Even with
the smudged dust on her skin and her hair in disarray, she was the most
beautiful woman he’d ever seen. “Are you all right, Sanders?” she asked.
Was he?
WHERE TO BUY…
ABOUT THE AUTHOR…
A voracious reader herself, Laura has written for many years while also
working as a dental hygienist for over seventeen years. A member of RWA,
she writes a range of romance, from contemporary to erotic to suspense. She
loves to engage with readers and writers, so find her on Facebook, Goodreads,
and Twitter. She and her husband of twenty-seven years have raised two
sons, and currently reside in Washington State, where they enjoy walks/hiking
along with college football.
Laura M Baird, Romance Author
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