Firefly Run Read online

  It certainly was good to see Reed laugh again. In the days since he’d returned from the hospital, he’d gradually lightened up and become more of the fun-loving man she used to know. Coupled with the love now in full bloom between them, he was intoxicating.

  "Although," her mother continued, "I can’t blame you for staring."

  "Mom!"

  "What? Is it too weird that your mother can recognize a good-looking man when she sees one?"

  "Well, no, I mean..."

  "Don’t worry, dear. I don’t believe anything would attract his attention any more than you."

  Shelly hugged her mother. "I’m glad you’re home."

  "It’s good to be back, and to have your father back with me." Margaret Wynn glanced toward Reed, who was standing in the shade of a giant pine tree with her son. "Maybe this time nothing will spoil your happiness."

  Before Shelly could say anything about the uncertainty of the future, her mother glided away toward a knot of women she’d known most of her life.

  Shelly played hostess until the last of the barbecue was gone. She left a table filled with lemonade and precut desserts and went to watch the youngsters play with sparklers as twilight faded. Everyone looked happy, even Marianne, who was in attendance with an attractive man she’d met while shopping in Knoxville.

  "Come with me," Reed whispered in her ear. She shivered at his sudden appearance behind her and the sensual sound of his voice.

  She didn’t ask why, but took his hand. The laughter and conversations faded as he led her away from the crowd, guided her past her cabin and down the path toward the cliff. The sounds of the whispering pines and the rushing river gradually drowned out those of the party. When they reached what she’d come to think of as the kissing log, he drew her down beside him. It was too early for the fireflies, but the memory made her smile.

  "I hear this is the spot to be for the best fireworks show in the Smokies tonight," he said.

  She smiled up at him, and he captured her mouth in a hungry kiss.

  "I’ve been wanting to do that all day," he said when he broke away.

  "And here I was thinking I was the only one lusting from afar."

  Since her parents’ return, it hadn’t seemed right for her and Reed to share a cabin. He’d bunked on the couch of the cabin Sean and his family were occupying.

  "I’ve been mighty lonely the last few nights," he said.

  She snuggled next to him. "That makes two of us."

  "I think I might have a cure for what ails us."

  "Really? Are you going to sneak in my window tonight?"

  "That’s a tempting thought, but I was thinking of a more long-term arrangement."

  Shelly’s heart skipped a beat. She forced herself to breathe normally, to not jump to conclusions.

  "I’ve been thinking a lot lately."

  "Oh?"

  "I’m thinking Texas might be a mite uncomfortable after all this nice mountain weather."

  She couldn’t help it. Her heart catapulted over all the intervening gears and slammed straight into overdrive. She pulled back and looked up into his face in the dimness, wishing the fireflies would come out early tonight and light up his features.

  "You’re thinking about staying here?"

  "Yes. It all depends on one thing."

  "Whether you can get a job?" Dare she hope that he could give up being a detective in a large city and all the danger that came with that job description?

  "Nah. I figured I could mooch off my sugar mama." He planted a playful kiss on her forehead.

  She swatted him on the arm. "Reed," she pleaded, wanting him to alleviate the suspense.

  Even without the benefit of full light, she sensed the change in him. More serious.

  "It all depends on you and how you feel about me."

  "I love you. You know that."

  "Enough to take a second chance on marriage?"

  Tears popped into her eyes as she nodded.

  "Will you marry me, Shelly?"

  "Oh, Reed. Yes."

  He kissed her until her head spun, making her thankful she was sitting down. When they paused to breathe, the night suddenly lit up across the river, illuminating the length of Firefly Run. Shelly remembered what Reed had said about the night he’d asked for a sign from Troy, and tears threatened again.

  An all-consuming peace settled over her. This time, she knew she’d be able to love for years to come.

  ****

  Thank you for purchasing this book. I hope you enjoyed Reed and Shelly’s story. If you did enjoy it and could leave positive reviews at various online booksellers’ outlets, I would appreciate that very much.

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  Trish Milburn lives in the South with her husband and spends what little free time she has reading, watching TV and movies (Is that her TiVo smoking?), hiking, taking road trips and valiantly fighting the weeds in her flowerbeds.

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