Heart of Ash

By Kathy Otten

In the skies over France during the Great War, the life expectancy of a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps is measured in days.
Captain Elliot "Ash" Bainbridge is certain he'll be the next pilot sent spinning to earth in a ball of fire. Not because the Germans will shoot him down, but because God will punish him for daring to love another man.
When Ash met Lieutenant Harry March, their attraction was instant. But Harry hates Ash's fatalistic attitude. He believes in capturing the moment.
Can Ash set aside his fear of death and take a chance on love? Or should he try to keep his heart safe from hurt forever?

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
• Release date: Jan 6, 2021
• ISBN: 9781509234844

Kathy Otten

Kathy Otten is the published author of historical romance novels, short stories, and young adult novels. A certified book coach, she helps writers bring their story visions to life. When she’s not writing, she enjoys walking her dog through the woods and fields near her home or curling up with her cat and a good book.

Book preview

Inc.

The tip of the cigarette glowed red as March inhaled. Then he stepped back as he blew out a stream of smoke, the odor overpowering that last trace of the sandalwood Elliot loved.

He tipped the shrinking match into the bowl of his pipe, drawing the mellow, smoky flavors into the back of his throat. He raised his chin to squarely meet March’s intense gaze. The hazel color wasn’t discernible in this light, but in the sun his eyes sparkled with green, then softened with brown in the shade.

Sharp pain seared Elliot’s fingers. His arm jerked back, and he gave his hand a quick shake, extinguishing the tiny flame. He tossed down the match, and with the toe of his boot, twisted the lucifer deep into the ground.

Was it the fire? Though March spoke in little more than a whisper, the intensity of his words carried in the damp air. That why you froze? Bloody hell, two Albatros dropped from the clouds right on your tail. If I hadn’t been there—

Elliot focused on the scuffed toe of his boot as he continued to twist his foot back and forth against the match.

I apologize. He straightened, drew deep on his pipe, and slowly exhaled through his nose. Rude of me not to say thank you.

March brought his cigarette to his lips. A moment later he exhaled. And are you?

Am I what?

Thankful.

Elliot took a few steps forward, away from his machine. He turned.

March hadn’t moved. He flicked his cigarette. Because I don’t think you are.

Praise for Kathy Otten

A PLACE IN YOUR HEART

Northwest Houston RWA

Lone Star Winner

~

LOST HEARTS

Utah/Salt Lake RWA

Hearts of the West finalist

~

A TARNISHED KNIGHT

Pennwriters

Novel Beginning finalist

~*~

Other Books by Kathy Otten

published by The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

Redemption of a Cavalier

Someone to Share the Sunsets

Between the Lines

A Christmas Smile

An Ordinary Angel

Lost Hearts

Another Waltz

A Tarnished Knight

After the Dark

A Place in Your Heart

Heart of Ash

by

Kathy Otten

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

Heart of Ash

COPYRIGHT © 2021 by Kathy Otten

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Contact Information: [e-mail]

Cover Art by Debbie Taylor

The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

PO Box 708

Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

Publishing History

First Vintage Rose Edition, 2021

Digital ISBN 978-1-5092-3484-4

Published in the United States of America

Dedication

For Mike,

Thanks for taking a chance on love.

You made Rick so happy.

I'm sorry your time together couldn't have been longer.

There would have been little to see in the garden, even if it had been daylight.

Captain Elliot Ash Bainbridge had wandered these overgrown paths so often he no longer needed sunlight to illuminate his way. By rote, he located the bench farthest from the château, farthest from the music and revelry.

Lowering himself to the ground, he leaned against the bench and closed his eyes. Impressions of flowers and greenery drifted through his mind, creating a vision of what this place once might have been. The image seeped into his soul, warming the chill inside him.

****

Tightly pruned dwarf hedges created geometric parterres filled with topiary shrubs, lavender, and clematis. Perennials burst with vibrant blues, yellows, and pinks. Pea gravel allées pointed the way to stone fountains topped with Greek maidens pouring water from urns.

Here, in the garden, he could breathe crisp, sweet air, absorb the warmth of sun on his face, and inhale the faint scent of roses. Chirping birds and the soft hum of bees filled his mind, allowing him to focus—if only in this place—on beauty and gentleness, and what was still good in the world.

****

But the passing of hours grew lost in this silent measure of time. The cold of