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Penny rested her head on Bryce’s shoulder. The lazy sway of the wooden swing was the most vigorous movement she could stand with her aching body still healing. She soaked in the sunshine beating down on them, grateful for fresh air and a cloudless sky. After a week in the hospital, she wanted all the breezes and sunshine she could get. And the barbecue smell wafting over from the grill was nice too.

She never wanted to see another cup of gelatine or applesauce ever again.

Andi walked over, her light-green sundress catching the wind and flowing behind her. “Food is ready.”

“You feeling okay, sis?” Bryce asked as he helped Penny stand. “You look a little pale.”

“I’m fine, ya big lug. Now let’s get Penny to the table before the food cools off.”

She walked in front of them, pushing a lawn chair out of Penny’s path. Harry and Hazel burst out the open French doors of the house and onto the patio where a table was set.

“Kids, find your seats,” Dan called after them. He sipped his drink as he stood with Jude at the grill.

Bryce’s father already sat at one end of the table. Elizabeth and Libby carried trays, one piled high with sweet corn and the other with watermelon, and set them in the middle of the spread.

“I hate not helping them,” Penny whispered over to Bryce. She leaned on his arm far more than she liked to admit.

“You’ll be there soon enough.” Bryce squeezed her hand. “Then I’ll be fighting to keep up with you.”

Jude set down a plate piled high with grilled chicken breasts and hamburgers. After Bryce gave up his place next to Penny so the kids could each sit by their auntie, everyone was finally situated.

The meal was a loud affair—lots of laughter, lots of chatter. Penny loved it all.

“Excuse me, everyone.” Andi pushed her chair away from the table and stood, tugging Jude up too. “Jude and I have an announcement.”

“Are you having a baby?” Hazel asked.

“Hazel!” Libby’s cheeks grew red.

“What? You said when I was curious about something I should ask.”

Everyone chuckled.

Andi gave Hazel a mock glare. “Since someone is just too smart for their own good, I guess we don’t have anything left to say.”

“What?” Elizabeth pressed her fingers to her lips. “A baby?”

Andi nodded, tears welling in her eyes. Jude wrapped his arm around her.

Bryce and Elizabeth took turns hugging the happy couple. The kids lost interest and went back to the swing set in the shady corner of the yard.

“Are you glad you came back to Last Chance?” Libby asked Penny quietly as she moved to the seat Hazel had vacated.

“If I say yes, does that mean you will forever be gloating?”

“Probably.”

Penny grinned. “I guess I can handle that.”

Bryce came and sat on the other side of her. “I’m gonna be an uncle. Can you believe that?”

She could. He would be an amazing uncle too. And it was early yet, but maybe someday they’d have their own announcements to make.

“We need to celebrate. I have just the thing!” Elizabeth left and came back with bottles of sparkling cider and an angel food cake drenched in strawberries.

Libby took over the serving of the cake while Elizabeth poured the cider.

“Wait until Logan finds out. Then maybe he’ll finally come back home for a visit.” Bryce took a big bite of strawberry.

Andi shook her head. “I doubt he’ll be coming anytime soon.”

“What does he do again?” Dan asked.

“Remember, I told you, honey. He’s a smokejumper. He fights wildfires, like Tori, but he’s in Montana, was it?” Libby looked to Elizabeth to confirm.

“Actually, he called me this week. He’s still smokejumping, but he moved.”

Bryce set down his fork. “He’s only done one season in Montana. Don’t tell me?—”

“He’s gone to Alaska. They had an open spot.” Elizabeth’s smile dimmed a bit. “He assures me he’s doing well and is excited for a new adventure.”

Bryce muttered, “More like excited to track down Jamie.”

“What a coincidence. Tori is in Alaska too.” Libby sat straighter in her chair, shooting Bryce a look. “It will be nice to know they both have family here. Praying for them.”

“Let’s just hope Logan finds what he’s looking for,” Andi said.

“Good idea, sis.” Bryce looked at Penny, love shining in his brown eyes. “I know I have.”

Thank you for reading Rescued Faith .

Gear up for the next Last Chance Fire and Rescue romantic suspense thriller, Rescued Heart by Lisa Phillips and Megan Besing.

Dive back into the danger—and the romance—of the bestselling Last Chance Fire and Rescue series…

Actress Bianca “Bia” Pearl has finally landed the headlining role that could help leave her scandalous past behind—a role that may even earn back her parents’ respect. All she has to do is stick to the script, both on and off camera. Bianca is determined to prove to the press that she’s not who they say she is…an overrated gold digger.

Firefighter and former foster child Eddie Rice has always drawn the short straw in life. Now, he’s determined to help kids in need have a better future than he did. And when Eddie is selected to represent the fire station at Last Chance County’s masquerade ball, he realizes it’s the perfect opportunity to secure the mayor’s signature on a grant for a much-needed rec center.

But when a case of mistaken identity and a bribe lead to Eddie and Bia being trapped together in a fire, the pair must team up to escape—and protect their futures in the process.

Rescued Heart is a heart-pounding romance that celebrates the power of second chances, the resilience of the human spirit, and the transformative power of love.

Keep reading for a sneak peek…

RESCUED HEART | LAST CHANCE FIRE AND RESCUE #7