Page 128

Hannah’s hazel eyes widened when she saw him. “Hey, I didn’t think you would be here for another hour.”

“I was rushing,” he said sheepishly.

&nb

sp; “Hey, there’s Daddy!” Hannah hopped up from the couch, but before she could reach him, Blake’s leg was clasped by a black-haired imp with golden eyes.

“Daddy, up!”

Blake took the leash off Charge, who was jumped by an excited Milo. Apparently, Blake hadn’t been the only one missed.

He set the trophy down to pick up their daughter, Maggie, tossing her in the air. Her delighted squeal was too adorable not to smile at, and he pulled her in, squeezing her little body in his arms.

“Daddy missed you.”

“Noah!” Maggie started struggling until Blake put her down, and the toddler started stalking Dani and Best’s son, laughing when he ran from her.

“I guess I’ve been replaced,” Blake said grimly.

“Not to me.” Hannah grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him down for a kiss, which he gladly sank into.

“Shit, we come over here to celebrate, and they’re too busy making out to get on with it,” Sparks griped.

Violet smacked Sparks on the arm. “Shut up, and let her tell it.”

“Her?” Blake asked. “I thought we were celebrating Charge and me?”

“You’ve won that thing enough, Blake. Let Hannah have a chance in the spotlight,” Dani said, rubbing her swollen belly. Best bent over and gave her a kiss, his hand joining hers.

Blake stared down at Hannah questioningly, and Hannah held out a letter to him.

As his gaze scanned the contents, his eyes widened. “You sold your series.”

She nodded. “For all four books. Look at the advance.”

His eyes scanned the paper, and he whooped, picking her up and spinning her around.

“I am so proud of you! How could you not have told me?”

“Because I wanted to see your reaction.”

Blake kissed her again and hugged her tight. Although her parents hadn’t been happy about the cart-before-the-horse situation—as her father put it—they hadn’t held it against him. They’d gotten married in Tahoe that July, after Blake and Charge had won their first search and rescue competition in Montana, and spent their honeymoon in the suite again.

After that, life had been pretty great. Hannah worked at Fairview Elementary until she couldn’t work anymore, and while she was on bed rest, she sent out query letters to agents and publishers. Blake had figured it was a pipe dream but tried to be supportive.

And then she’d gotten an e-mail from a big literary agency in New York wanting to represent her.

Blake had been so proud of her for getting that far, but this . . .

“I can’t believe I’m married to a big-shot author. You’re going to be famous.”

“Okay, let’s not exaggerate.”

Bryce stood up, raising her beer bottle with a grin. “To Hannah, we are all so proud of you and wish you nothing but success.” Bryce started to take a drink, then added, “And to Blake, for being smart enough to take her off the market.”

“Hear! Hear!” Blake said.

HOURS LATER, HANNAH tucked Maggie in for the night and quietly snuck out of the room. When she walked into their bedroom, Blake was bare chested under the blanket and rubbing her side of the bed suggestively.