Lone Star Hero
A Second Chance At LoveSingle mom Vickie Lawson is back in her Texas hometown, intent on making a better life for her children. But when her son's troubles lead childhood sweetheart Jake Torres to her door, she realizes her feelings for him never went away. Now a State Trooper, Jake vows not to be distracted by the beautiful woman who once held his heart. He's never revealed to her the secret that tore them apart. Jake fears if he does, she–and the whole town–will never forgive him. But if Vickie and Jake can untangle the past, they may have another chance at forever.
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A Second Chance At Love
Single mom Vickie Lawson is back in her Texas hometown, intent on making a better life for her children. But when her son’s troubles lead childhood sweetheart Jake Torres to her door, she realizes her feelings for him never went away. Now a State Trooper, Jake vows not to be distracted by the beautiful woman who once held his heart. He’s never revealed to her the secret that tore them apart. Jake fears if he does, she—and the whole town—will never forgive him. But if Vickie and Jake can untangle the past, they may have another chance at forever.
“Jake, it’s our song!”
His brows shot up in a question. “I didn’t know we had a song.”
Hands on her hips, she shook her head at his cluelessness. “As chair of the prom committee, I selected the song for the king-and-queen dance. I knew we had received the most votes.” A sad smile formed. “I picked it for us.”
His forehead wrinkled. “You danced it with Tommy.”
“’Cause you never showed up.” She pointed the spatula at him. “You had the most votes. You were voted king. Because you weren’t there I had to dance with Tommy.”
She felt the warmth of his presence as he moved closer to her. He stopped two steps away from where she stood.
“We could dance it now.”
JOLENE NAVARRO
Jolene’s life, much like her stories, is filled with faith, family, football, art, laughter, dirty dishes and all of life’s wonderful messiness. She knows that, as much as the world changes, people stay the same. Good and evil. Vow-keepers and heartbreakers. Jolene married a vow-keeper who showed her that holding hands and dancing in the rain never gets old. When she’s not teaching art to energetic middle-schoolers or hanging out with her four kids, she loves creating stories of love and faith in her much-loved Texas.
You have journeyed up a steep, rugged path in recent days. The way ahead is shrouded in uncertainty. Look neither behind you nor before you. Instead, focus your attention on Me, your constant Companion. Trust that I will equip you fully for whatever awaits you on your journey.
—Psalms 143:8
To my sisters Tracye Ward and Amanda Warren—you have become amazing women and great mothers. I know our parents would be proud. Always to Fred Navarro, husband extraordinaire.
There are so many people that made my dream of being a writer become reality.
First to the gifted writers at San Antonio Romance Authors for sharing their time and talents, especially Linda Carroll-Bradd, who taught me what POV meant and how to use it.
Joni, Marilyn, Sasha and Storm, thank you for listening and reading.
To Jodi Thomas and Alexandra Sokolof, two of the most talented and giving people I know.
To the best agent ever, Pam Hopkins.
To the remarkable Emily Rodmell, thank you for giving me the opportunity to share Clear Water, Texas, with the world. My stories are better because of your insight and knowledge.
Contents
The blue and red lights flashed. Polished cowboy boots stepped out of the looming SUV. Each step stirred pale dust into the dry air. She didn’t need to look at his face to know who had pulled her over. Ever since her return to Clear Water, Texas, she had done her best to avoid this state trooper.
Jake Torres made it too easy to doubt her resolve to be independent. After a disastrous marriage with one hometown boy, she couldn’t contemplate a relationship with another, even if he had been her best friend once upon a time.
Now her ex-friend was going to give her a ticket on Valentine’s Day. Great. Another memento to add to this wonderful day.
Turning away from the rearview mirror, she glanced at the box of pink penguin cupcakes. They had taken her twice as long to decorate as she’d planned.
“Mom! We’re going to be late!” Ashley, her seven-year-old daughter, cried from the backseat.
She closed her eyes for a moment to control the burning acid in her stomach.
More money gone. She didn’t even have enough to buy her daughter the lollipop Valentine cards she wanted. With a quick check in the mirror, she noticed Ashley going through the handmade cards. A weak smile eased some of the tension as she thought of the fun they’d had while cutting and gluing scrap pieces of construction paper. Even Seth, her preteen son, had made a couple of glittery masterpieces.
An unwanted memory surfaced. The sparkly red heart she had created as an eleven-year-old. She could see Jake’s fingers take the Valentine card made just for him. She’d held her breath watching him read the question she had so carefully printed. Looking up at her, he had smiled and laughed at her. “Vickie, you’re crazy.”
