Backburn

By Laura Harner

Scott refuses to accept his mistake dealt a final blow to his troubled relationship with Rob, so he’s working hard to finish the apartment he plans for them to share. With odd occurrences of vandalism, a poacher, and an increasingly active inner demon named PTSD, he has plenty to keep him busy while he waits for Rob to come around.

Rob is working a lot of overtime in order to qualify for a new position as a wildland firefighter—a minor detail he decides to withhold in light of Scott’s frequent nightmares. Of course there are a couple of other details Scott has a right to know about—if only Robby hasn’t left things too late.
Just as one man discovers his truth—the other realizes everything he’s believed is a lie. One is certain they can work things out—the other knows why they can’t. Only one of them can be right.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Laura Harner
• Release date: May 14, 2014
• ISBN: 9781937252816

Laura Harner

Laura lives on waterfront property in Arizona because she's always wanted to be an oxymoron. She once enjoyed hobbies such as gardening and travel—now the characters in her head compel her to tell their stories, so she writes. (It doesn't actually help quiet the voices—but it keeps the folks in the white jackets at bay.)She shares her home with an ever-revolving cast of characters—some of whom are actually real—and is living her dream of building her own version of the Willow Springs Ranch.With over fifty published novels and novellas, Laura is an international bestselling author of erotic romances, romantic suspense, urban fantasy, and Highland romances. Her books can be found at all major online retailers.Connect with her online at:http://lauraharner.com

Book preview

Backburn

Fighting Fire III

Pulp Friction 2014

Laura Harner

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

Copyright © 2014 by Laura Harner

Cover Art by Laura Harner

All rights reserved.

Smashwords Edition published in the United States by Hot Corner Press.

ISBN: 978-1-937252-81-6

Warning: All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without written permission, except for brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

Contact the publisher for further information: [e-mail]

Acknowledgements

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following trademarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

Day-Glo: Day-Glo Color Corp.

Dos Equis: CCM IP, S.A.

Formica: The Diller Corporation

Google: Google, Inc.

National Park Service: United States Department of the Interior

Contents

Acknowledgements

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

About Pulp Friction 2014

Mountain Shadows Map

About the Author

Also Available

Chapter One

Rob? Rob Hammond? Is that you?

Robby paused on his way out of the visitor center door and turned to find a rail-thin woman with platinum blonde hair hurrying across the lobby. Crap. As a fellow Park Service employee and his late wife’s best friend, he and Rachel had spent many hours together. Rachel had been as stunned as he had by the sudden death and tried to rally his support for some type of memorial or life celebration. He’d avoided the idea. Instead of reaching out to friends and Karen’s family, Rob had sought solace by immersing himself in his friend Scott’s situation, effectively shutting down nearly every connection with his former life.

Aware of the curious glances from the two visitor guides who were working at the front desk, Robby mustered a smile and pushed open the glass door.

Rachel, he said. Hoping he looked pleased to see her, he stepped outside and gestured with his arm for her to follow.

With a backward glance toward a towheaded boy, she stepped through the door, but hovered near the entrance.

It’s okay, we can stand right here to talk, so we don’t interrupt the ranger program, he reassured Rachel. What a surprise to see you in Flagstaff. What are you and little Kent doing here?

I am attending a class at the Grand Canyon this weekend, and I thought I’d bring Kent along. My sister is here, too, but she’s out on the rim trail, Rachel said. She reached a hand out to touch Robby’s forearm. Are you okay, Rob? I keep checking on you. Betty said you’re still not ready…

Uncomfortable with the conversation and the gesture, Robby placed his hand over hers and patted before he turned slightly to scan the parking lot, unobtrusively moving back half a step in the process. With less than a month to go until he went to pick up the kids, he probably should have thought about touching base with all those he’d left behind. Truthfully, other than Karen’s family, there was no one in San Francisco he wanted to see. Especially Rachel. He needed to make that clear.

I wish you wouldn’t ask Karen’s mother about me, Rachel. If there’s something you need to know, you have my number. It hasn’t changed.

With a sigh, Rachel looked around the front of the Walnut Canyon visitor center. As an example of Mission 66 architecture, the building was protected from any changes that would alter the appearance from the original design. Rob loved walking the trail that wove around the ancient cliff dwellings and his position as a law enforcement ranger for the Flagstaff Area Monuments brought him here at least twice a week.

Rachel, on the other hand, was a city girl born and raised and a genuine Park Service snob. He detected the faintest curl of lip as she sighed. What are you doing here, Robby? You can’t hide forever. You know you can have your old job back, right?

We both know that’s not how federal jobs work. I’d have to apply if I wanted to go back.

"Yeah, we both know. We both know you’d be hired in a heartbeat. So why here?"

Maybe I just like to be closer to my heritage. Listen, it’s really good to—

Tossing her head, Rachel made an impatient snort. Don’t try to brush me off that quickly. It’s been a year since Karen died and it’s time for this—she jerked her hand toward the parking lot—self-exile to end. For God’s sake, Robby. Your kids are still living with Karen’s mother.

Robby stiffened, tried to prepare himself for what was no doubt coming next. He’d heard the whisperings in the few weeks he’d still been around after Karen died. How hard it was going to be for him alone with the kids, how he should get out and meet others like him, how he needed to go on for the sake of the children.

Rachel’s brows came together in what he thought of as her sincere expression. If anyone understands how hard it is to be a single parent, it’s me. But they need you. They need a mom—they need a real family. Come back home, honey. You can live with me and Kent—no strings attached. Sam and Katrina love him, and I have plenty of room.

"You’ve