Page 43 of Sweet Beginnings

Following the distant sound of Samson’s barks, they pressed on. The smell of smoke stronger than before, Preston said a silent prayer that they weren’t following the dog to their deaths.

Holding her shirt up over her nose and mouth, Sarah stumbled on a root, her hands flailing, Preston caught her, the force of her weight propelling them to the ground. Overhead he could see sparks spinning through space, tossed about by the gusts of wind. They needed to push ahead, faster, before the sparks rained down around them and set this corner of their world into another fiery blaze.

Scratched and scraped from crawling through the dry thicket, Samson’s howl drew them forward until they burst into a small clearing. The ground marshy and thick with mud, Samson stood barking at the edge of a narrow creek.

The fire still raging behind them, Preston almost laughed at the sight of Samson prancing in the cool water. “Smart dog.”

Samson barked again, whether in agreement or still directing them, Preston didn’t know or care. They’d followed the dog this far, no sense in stopping now. Splashing through the shallow water, the coolness covered them in blessed relief against the scorching heat.

“Good boy, Samson,” Sarah encouraged the dog.

Above, the whirling sound of aircraft engines roared, followed by waves of water showering the distant flames.

“Thank God,” Sarah whispered.

The trio followed the creek past the burning brush and around the curving bends until they could see the rescue ranch in the distance. Out of the water, Samson trotted ahead, his tail wagging triumphantly.

Adrenaline waning, exhaustion reared its head, dropping Preston to his knees. Beside him, Sarah sank to the ground.

Samson stood for a long moment staring back at them as if asking,you’re stopping now?before turning and galloping back to where they sat, exhausted. When the happy dog came up beside Sarah and licked her face enthusiastically, she threw her arms around him. “Foster my foot. You’re ours.”

“Amen.” Preston stretched his hand to scratch behind the dog’s ears. He didn’t want to think what would have happened if the dog had not managed to clamp down his anxiety and slip into working dog mode. Though Preston doubted escaping blazing fires had ever been in the job description, at this moment, he’d believe anything, including super dog and guardian angel.

Alice Sweet hovered over her son like a new mother watching her infant sleeping. Sarah’s father wasn’t much better. Together in the Sweet family living room, sitting side by side on the sofa, Preston and Sarah had little say in the matter as both parents insisted they stay wrapped in quilts, drink lots of hot chocolate, and if they brought out one more thing for them to eat, Sarah was going back to face the fire again—an easier adversary than their two parents.

When they finally found themselves blessedly alone, as if choreographed, they both threw off the blankets and Sarah leaned into Preston’s side as his arm draped around her, tugging her more closely against him.

Warm lips pressed against her temple. “I love you, Mrs. Sweet.”

The words were music to her soul. Lifting her gaze to meet his, she took in the love shining in his eyes. He meant it. “I was afraid it was the adrenaline talking.”

His head shook from side to side as his lips came down on hers. The gentle warmth spread from her mouth to her toes as he pulled her impossibly closer. They’d shared plenty of kisses for show, but this was most definitely so very different. Her toes were almost curling in her shoes.

“Oops.” His mom stopped short, her shoes clacking a fast exit back to the kitchen.

Chuckling, they pulled apart.

“We really do need to find our own place.” Preston ran his thumb down her cheek.

Sucking in a long, deep breath, Sarah blew it out slowly. “As Mr. and Mrs.?”

“If you meant what you said?”

Her head bobbed. “I did.”

“For better or worse, till death do us part.” No sooner had the words left his lips then his face pinched. “Sorry, poor choice of words.”

“Perfect words. From this day forward, you’re stuck with me.”

“Sounds like heaven.” He leaned in for another kiss when a nearby deep voice cleared his throat.

“Maybe you two should take this upstairs?” Carson bit back a smile and winked.

Preston locked gazes with her and any other day she would have raced him up the stairs, but tonight, there was someplace else she wanted to be. As if reading her mind, Preston nodded.

They had one meaty bone to deliver to their favored guest set up in the barn’s best accommodation.

In perfect unison, their two voices chorused, “Samson.”

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