Second Chance (1Night Stand)

By Debbie Gould

Lieutenant Colin Beckett, US Air Force special ops, lost his wife in childbirth while off on a mission. Two years later, he’s still trying to come to grips with the guilt that tortures him. And to complicate matters, he finds himself undeniably attracted to his wife's sister, Emily. Struggling with his desire, he tells himself he doesn’t deserve a second chance with such an amazing woman.

Emily wants Colin in her life and her bed. Enlisting the help of Colin's teammates and Madame Eve's 1Night Stand dating service, she plans to prove to Colin he can have everything he lost once again.

Will their one night lead to the happy ending she longs for or the loneliness he thinks he deserves?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Decadent Publishing
• Release date: Jan 23, 2012
• ISBN: 9781613331927

Book preview

Second Chance

A 1Night Stand Story

By

Debbie Gould

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2012 by Debbie Gould

ISBN: 978-1-61333-192-7

Cover art by LFD Designs

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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

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Published by Decadent Publishing Company, LLC

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Chapter One

Colin had no idea what to say to her. What was there to say? It’s not as if he wanted to leave her. Tabitha was his only home outside of his Special Ops team. His heart, his light, his safe haven. He had no words to comfort her, none that could make this better for her. He couldn’t promise he’d be back. She knew the deal. He could only promise to do his best.

He held his wife’s hand and wished to God he could take the pain for her. You’re not the one who signed up for military life, but you got drafted when you married me. I wish to God I could do something to make this easier for you, baby, but I don’t know what.

He cupped her face and thumbed away her tears. Damn it, he felt like bawling. She turned her head, kissed his palm, and lowered his hands to her swollen belly.

I’ll be fine, Colin. My sister’s on her way. I get that this isn’t what you planned. You wanted to be here, but please don’t worry about us. She paused to take in a shaky breath. You keep your focus and get back home as soon as you can. Pain and sadness shone in her eyes, reflected by her tears, but she put up a damn good front. Wheels up in an hour, soldier. Move out.

Leaning in, he kissed her with every bit of love he had for her until he couldn’t stand the pain of his heart breaking another second. I love you, Tabitha. I love this baby.

I know you do, but you need to leave. You need to forget us for now. Go do your job and come home safe. She released his hand and pushed it from her stomach. Go, now. That’s an order.

She gave him a weak smile, and he admired how brave she tried to be. Colin kissed her forehead and walked to the door. He looked over his shoulder one last time at his beautiful wife, lying in the hospital bed. The monitors spat out paper, measuring the contractions and the baby’s heartbeat. She rubbed her belly until she reached out and grabbed the bed rail, her knuckles turning white.

With his heart aching, he left Tabitha’s room and met her sister outside the doorway. Hey, Emily. I can’t thank you enough for coming.

She smiled up at him. "I wouldn’t be anywhere else. Even if you didn’t have to leave, you couldn’t