Fire Line (The Griffith Brothers, #3)

by Maggie C. Gates

“Who did it?” I hissed as I braced my hands on the wall behind her head, caging her in. “Give me a fucking name.”

“Because I stay up late and watch you.” He took my hand and laced our fingers, then pointed, trailing my finger along the glass pane. “I watch you get out of your car there and walk inside the restaurant. I watch you all night long when you stay overnight to keep the smoker going so I know you’re safe. I watch you walk from the restaurant to your car when you’re done for the night. You are my favorite view.”

“They remind me of you. Wildflowers grow

where they want. Soil. Sand. Cracks in the sidewalk. Cities and open fields. They thrive in the worst conditions. And just when you think you’ve cut them down, they spring back up. They’re always the first thing to grow back after a wildfire as a reminder of hope and a little audacity.”

“I thought I could dig a fire line to keep us from going up in flames, but I can’t.” His eyes bore into mine with undeniable heat. “I’d burn it all down for you.”

“You take my breath away,”

“One of these days you’ll stop and realize that the only person who doesn’t love you is you. And when you have that realization, I hope it makes you want to stay where you’re celebrated.”

“Wear flowers on your sleeve rather than your heart. You’ve bled enough, darling. Let yourself bloom.”

“My jacket’s yours, Len. I wasn’t waiting for Cass to order a new one for you. What’s mine is yours. That jacket. This land. My family. My name. I’m a prideful man, but I will lay it all down for you. Because you have me, too.”

“I’ll plant you a million wildflowers, so you never open your eyes without seeing your beauty reflected back to you. I’ll build you that house with a glass roof, so the stars are never far. I’ll gladly give you my last name because I want you to be a part of this legacy. But I’d also take yours because you are the most important person in my life. I’d give it all to you, and I’d give it all up for you.”