A military police officer on the verge of a new beginning. A beautiful woman devoted to her career and her dream of putting down roots. The hardest thing they’ll ever do is to take a chance on love . . .
Navy Chief Master at Arms Jackson “Jax” Faraday is at a crossroads. He has to decide whether to reenlist or get out while he’s young enough to make a difference in the civilian world. Either choice could mean leaving behind his girl: his K-9 partner, Bella. But when she’s injured during a training session, Jax’s only concern is making sure she’s okay.
As the Navy base veterinarian, town local Risa Reynolds is right where she belongs: close to her parents in a farmhouse full of animals—with room to grow. She’s seen enough to put military men on her “not happening” list, because they always leave.
But when a tall, hazel-eyed sailor arrives in her clinic with his dog in his arms, Risa finds herself falling hard. And all kinds of rules will get broken when Jax, a man who sticks to the straight and narrow, learns that there’s no predicting the twists and turns of the heart . . .
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Books by Gail Chianese
The Changing Tides Series
Love Runs Deep
A Hero to Love
The West Side Romance Series
Bachelorette for Sale
Boyfriend for Hire
Fiancé for Keeps
Published by Kensington Publishing Corporation
A Hero to Love
The Changing Tides Series
Gail Chianese
LYRICAL PRESS
Kensington Publishing Corp.
www.kensingtonbooks.com
Copyright
Lyrical Press books are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp. 119 West 40th Street New York, NY 10018
Copyright © 2017 by Gail Chianese
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First Electronic Edition: August 2017
eISBN-13: 978-1-5161-0031-6
eISBN-10: 1-5161-0031-X
First Print Edition: August 2017
ISBN-13: 978-1-5161-0032-3
ISBN-10: 1-5161-0032-8
Printed in the United States of America
Dedication
This one’s for Penny
Thanks for all the laughs and for reminding me of what’s important.
Acknowledgments
A heartfelt thanks to my editor, Martin Biro, for his guidance and support as well as all the amazing people at Kensington/Lyrical Press. I’m truly blessed to part of this family. Also, thanks to my agent, Jess Regel.
Many thanks to my writing chapter for always being there for me, especially my MTBs: Jessica Andersen, Sadie Hartwell, Jamie Beck, Megan Ryder, Regina Kyle, Katy Lee, Jamie K. Schmidt, Tracy Costa, Jen Moncuse, Beth Iorio, and Laura Moore. You ladies rock, and keep me sane and going.
No book would be complete without thanking my (thankfully) way-too-patient husband, my children—who never lose faith in me, or my mom for being there. I love you.
To you wonderful readers, as always thank you from the bottom of my heart for choosing to spend time in my world.
Chapter 1
Jackson Faraday was worried about his girl.
He should have been worried about his future. Time was running out for him to make a decision—stay in the Navy or get out—and the detailer was breathing down his neck. But the decision to throw away the past twelve years wasn’t easy.
He wanted more.
If NCIS—Naval Criminal Investigative Service—would make a decision on his application, that would be great. But what if they turned him down? Did he stay in for twenty years and retire? Then what? Start over at the bottom? Go home to a one-stoplight town with a police force that spent all its time dealing with bored teens wreaking havoc or frustrated couples fighting? Work security for one of the nearby casinos? All viable options, just not what he wanted.
He wanted to make a difference.
He shoved away the nagging questions. He had more pressing concerns. Like what was wrong with Bella, which was why he was at the base training center, even though his shift was officially over.
“Come on, Bella. Give me your best for an hour, and then I’ve got a treat for you.” He wagged the Frisbee to get her attention. Instead, Bella whined and flicked her ear.
“Hey, Jax. Heard we had a win in the courtroom today.” Chief Casey Thomas drove his Jeep up next to the chain-link fence.
“Stone? Yeah, he’s going away for a good couple of years for that little video stunt of his. Not that it makes up for what he put Lieutenant Riley through, but it’s a start.”
“Me and a couple of the guys are going to grab some grub and head out to the beach. Enjoy what’s left of summer. Come join us.” Casey drummed his fingers on the outside of the driver’s door, giving away he had more on his mind than a night’s celebration.
“What’s up with you, man? You seem agitated.” He and Casey went back a ways; spent some time in the sandbox together. Normally the guy was as easygoing as cool beer slipping down your throat on a summer day.
“Got my orders in today.” Casey slid out of the vehicle and walked through the gate. “I’m heading to Pensacola.”
“Isn’t your ex-wife there?”
“Near enough.” Casey squatted down and scratched Bella’s ears. “Did you hear back on your application yet?”
“You know what they say: No news is good news.” At least he hoped that’s what it meant.
“You know what you need? To find a nice lady who can take some of your stress away and make you forget your worries.”
“The only lady I need in my life is Belladonna.”
“She’s a little hairy and full of attitude.”
“Aw, but you forget. She loves me unconditionally and always has my six.”
“Not