Forbidden Redemption: Texas SWAT, #3

By Sidney Bristol

Willow has screwed up, over or on everything in her life, except her best friend Keegan.  She finally has her life together and might even score getting her detective shield. Or she thought she did, until one of her many mistakes shows up and blackmails her.

Keegan is coming home for Christmas and there's only one thing he wants. Willow. Keegan has lived his life on the straight and narrow, from getting his minister's license as expected by their family to his real passion, bringing humanitarian aid to people in third world countries. But a near death encounter has him wanting more from life, and top of that list is his childhood best friend.

When Keegan shows up on Willow's doorstep with a seduction plan in mind things progress faster than he'd anticipated. And in the morning, he has to prove to Willow that he's not another of her screw ups, he's there forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sidney Bristol
• Release date: Feb 18, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393039273

Book preview

Forbidden Redemption

Texas SWAT #3

Sidney Bristol

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Inked Press

Forbidden Redemption

Texas SWAT 3

Willow has screwed up, over or on everything in her life, except her best friend Keegan. She finally has her life together and might even score getting her detective shield. Or she thought she did, until one of her many mistakes shows up and blackmails her.

Keegan is coming home for Christmas and there’s only one thing he wants. Willow. Keegan has lived his life on the straight and narrow, from getting his minister's license as expected by their family to his real passion, bringing humanitarian aid to people in third world countries. But a near death encounter has him wanting more from life, and top of that list is his childhood best friend.

When Keegan shows up on Willow's doorstep with a seduction plan in mind things progress faster than he’d anticipated. And in the morning, he has to prove to Willow that he's not another of her screw ups, he's there forever.

Christmas only comes once a year. The love that I have for you comes only once in a lifetime.

―UNKNOWN

Table of Contents

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Epilogue.

1.

Keegan Alden considered pulling over to hurl his nerves. Again. In the two miles it took him to get to his best friend’s house, he’d turned around once, nearly lost his dinner, and was fairly certain his shirt was soaked through from sweat.

This was worse than almost dying.

It was morbidly funny how his brush with death had changed him. He’d heard stories all his life. Growing up in his father’s church meant Keegan had seen people find religion after a brush with their mortality. That glimpse of the other side changed people.

In that moment, lying under the debris from a collapsed house, Keegan had one regret: he’d never told Willow he loved her.

This Christmas he was going to do more than tell her, he was going to show her.

Keegan wouldn’t go so far as to say that he was going to seduce her. He was woefully inexperienced when it came to women. But that wasn’t going to stop him.

He pulled up to the curb at the little house in one of the oldest parts of Ransom, Texas. He recalled years of going trick-or-treating here, singing Christmas carols, going door to door trying to raise money for church or school projects. And he’d done much of that with Willow. All his best memories included her. So why shouldn’t his future?

There was, of course, one glaring hole in this plan.

He had no idea what Willow wanted.

Keegan killed the engine and watched the windows framed in twinkling lights.

Was she alone?

He hadn’t told her he was coming home for Christmas this year, mostly because the decision had been spontaneous. The funding for half their holiday plans had fallen through last minute and the humanitarian organization he worked for needed to cut people’s hours. Which left him open for this crazy plan.

And it was crazy.

She was his best friend. Had been since the day her parents had dropped her off at summer Bible camp and forgot to come get her. She’d hung out at their house, even had dinner with them while Dad tracked down her family. Looking back, he was fairly certain he’d fallen for her then but hadn’t realized it until much later.

It was time to do something about that.

Keegan grabbed his bottle of water and took a long drink. He didn’t have to tell her his feelings tonight. No, all he was doing tonight was surprising his best friend.

He got out of the car and cut across the grass to the cute, brick one-story house. This time of year a few Christmas trees were set up, their merry lights casting a festive glow on the wilted grass.

Keegan reached the doorstep and went up on the balls of his feet.

Just surprising an old friend...

He jabbed the doorbell and braced a hand on the brick.

Nothing to be nervous about. You’ve done this before.

The seconds ticked by.

Was she home? Otherwise occupied? Not alone?

He should have called, pretended he was still in Puerto Rico. If she was with someone...

Keegan didn’t know if his heart could take it. He’d watched dozens of other guys take her out, use her for their amusement while ignoring her needs. She deserved better.

The door swung open, leaving the screen between them.

His breath caught in his throat.

Willow stood on the other side in an oversized Ransom PD sweatshirt with neon-green running shorts and rainbow striped knee-length shorts. Her wavy brown hair was half up out of her face.

She stared at him with wide eyes and her mouth hanging open.

An invisible hand squeezed his heart so tight his knees went wobbly. She was still the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.

Hey, Will, he managed to say.

Keegan? A bright smile lit up her face, easing some of his apprehension.

Willow shoved the screen door open, nearly smacking him with it. She threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. He lifted her off her feet and closed his eyes, breathing her in.

This was what he wanted.

Keegan, what are you doing here? Willow’s hold eased and she slid to her feet, looking up at him with light in her eyes. You’re supposed to be playing Santa. You can’t be here.

She didn’t move away from him. He kept his hands on her waist, basking in her glow. Plans changed.

Oh my God. How long are you here? Do your parents know? She grabbed his hand. Get inside. You aren’t wearing a jacket. Do you even own one anymore?

It’s not that cold. He chuckled and let her drag him inside.

We’ve only had three frosts this year. It’s weird. She let go of his hand and shut the front door, looking up at him. I can’t believe you’re here. You’ve never seen my place.

No. He tore his gaze away from her to glance around.

It was one of those 1950s homes that hadn’t seen many updates. From the entry he could look into the rectangular living room on his right with the bay window. On his left was the dining area and kitchen. In front of him was a coat closet that hid the hallway leading to the bedrooms and bathrooms. It was a familiar layout. Several of his friends growing up had lived in similar homes. But this one was Willow’s.

At a glance, he could tell that the furniture was secondhand pieces spruced up with a coat of paint. But it was hers. He knew it meant a lot to her to have a place to call home after a childhood spent bouncing around, never knowing if she’d still have a bed.

A small Christmas tree sat on the bay window seat decorated with plastic candy in bright colors and rainbow lights. Under it were a few wrapped presents.

Okay, so it’s not much to look at, Willow said after a moment.

It’s nice. Did the kitchen get updated?

Yes. She practically bounced. Granite countertops, all new appliances.

Nice. I’m using a propane stove still.

You do not. Her jaw dropped.

Keegan shrugged. It’s not so bad.

But I thought the house thing...?

Funding fell through. It’s not a big deal.

Willow grabbed him by the forearms. You’re really here. For how long? Did you tell me if your parents know?

He chuckled. She had asked and he’d forgotten to answer. Yeah, they know. I think I’m staying for a few weeks. Our budget got cut for the holidays and we aren’t sure what the New Year looks like. It’s kind of a mess.

Keegan had gone to work for a humanitarian organization out of seminary. He’d been a firm believer that helping people came before everything else. Which was how he’d spent his adult years first in Haiti and now Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria.

When did you get here? Willow tugged on his arm, walking backward toward the sofa.

He glanced at his watch. About four hours ago.

And you came to see me first? What about your parents?

They picked me up from the airport. He sank down on the sofa and hooked their fingers together.

A feeling of warmth and rightness settled in him as he looked at Willow.

This was where he was meant to be. At least, he hoped so.

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WILLOW TAYLOR HATED Keegan for showing up without warning. Of course he didn’t know she needed seven days’ notice to prepare herself for seeing him. He couldn’t. That was the whole point.

He didn’t know how she felt about him. And he never would. That was the agreement she’d made with Pastor Alden. She could hang out with Keegan, they could be friends, but that was it. To her adolescent self, the safety of that friendship and the ability to come and go from the Alden home had likely kept her safe more times than she wanted to admit. Besides, she knew Keegan was on a whole other level from her back then.

The difference now was that she had changed, fought against the mold her parents had created for her life. She had a job. A home. She was recreating herself from the town slut into a law-abiding cop who lived a quiet, boring life.

Not to mention she was also wearing her cruddy sweatshirt, dirty running shorts, and knee-high socks. Keegan couldn’t show up when she was freshly showered, wearing something cute, and her makeup was perfect.

Do you want to take a picture? A smile spread across his scarred face. It might last longer.

Willow chuckled. She had been staring. I can’t believe you’re here.

She tightened her hold on his hand. It technically went against her rules when it came to showing affection for the best man in her life, but she didn’t care. He’d almost died, and this was the first time she’d gotten to see him in person since then.

He was maybe an inch or two taller than her with wide shoulders that seemed capable of supporting the world. If she looked at him without the scars objectively, she’d consider him moderately attractive. Funny enough, the almost shoulder-length sun-streaked brown hair actually looked good on him. She’d been skeptical when he’d begun growing