Fire Line (The Griffith Brothers, #3)

by Maggie C. Gates

“It just takes someone picking up the pieces and forging them back togeth...

“I’d worship you every day of my life i...

“Keep at it. Lennon gets angry at people she trusts because she

doesn’t want to risk that anger getting her in trouble again if she lets it out around the wrong people. Be honored that she gives you her emotions.”

“If I had a flower for every time I thought of you, I could walk through my garden forever.” Her brows lifted in surprise. “That’s . . . beautiful.” “Should be. Tennyson said it.”

“For the millionth time, I’m sorry. I know we haven’t exactly put this thing between us in definable terms, so let

me clarify a few things for you. I wanted you the night we fucked in that bar, and the moment you showed up at my door, you were mine. We can fill in the gaps at any pace you need, ...

“You make it sound like you’ll never let me l...

“If I had it my way, you’d never leave my bed, but we both have work to do.”

“And what if I want to work at another restaurant?”

“Then I will build it right here with my own two hands. Every inch of my land is yours. It was yours long before you ever came through the gates.”

“It feels like home.”

“Staff doesn’t fraternize with the family or mess with the ranch operations. Remember?”

tugged on my jacket that she was still wearing. “This makes you family, Len. And you look damn good with my name on your chest.”

“I thought you said your name would n...

“I was w...

“I think those are the three sexiest words a man can say.”

“She fits.” I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Lennon in this place. Lennon in my jacket. Lennon in my family.

“CJ didn’t tell you?” Brooke asked. “When you get a jacket, it means you’re part of the ranch. We all have one. They’re only for the family. Ranch hands have different jackets. The lodge and restaurant staff have their uniforms. Wearing the ranch jacket tells everyone you’re part of the family.” Her eyes softened. “I thought you knew. You’ve been wearing one forever.”

“No one’s ever wanted me before,”

“That’s because you were always meant to be here, Len. It just took you a long time to find us.”

Since my dad had been giving her most of his salary, he didn’t have any money for an engagement ring. So, he gave her his ranch jacket. It was the best way he could think of to let everyone know that she was his. And ever since then, a woman getting a ranch jacket has been our way of bringing them in. Making it known that they carry the weight of the Griffith name, even before there’s a ring.”

“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.”

“My guys would light themselves on fire for you, if you so much as hinted that you were cold. And that doesn’t even begin to cover what I’d do for you.”

“You should’ve told me.” “Why?” she sneered. “I can handle it.”

“But you shouldn’t have to,” I countered. “Len, that’s the whole purpose of having a person who loves you. I’m on your side. I want to know what’s going on, even if you have it handled.”

“What did you just⁠—” “Good evening...

“Shush,” Lennon snapped, then looked back at me. “What did you say?”

“Can you give us a minute?”

“Say that one mor...

“Did you just say the ‘L’ word?” “Why do you look so surprised?”

“Will you say it again?”

“I love you, trouble. I love all your sweetness, and the sass and spite you use to protect it.”

“You sure?” she whimpered as tears welled up in those pretty brown eyes.

“I’m sure, Len,” I said softly. “I’m sure.”

“I want to get off this rollercoaster. I want it to stop. I want it to be over,”

“It’s gonna be okay,”

“You didn’t have people on your side before, but you do now. A whole lot of us.”

loved her. I knew it in my bones. But when I found the bastard who had wrecked her life and haunted her mind, I couldn’t guarantee that we would have a happily ever after. The hatred and pure contempt were back. Because trou...

“You’ve had to be strong for so long. It’s time to lay your burdens down.”

“You love her, don’t you?” “I thought that was obvious,” I said.

Fire fears what it cannot consume.

I loved the women my brothers had married.

“I’m still happy with you. Just because there are clouds doesn’t mean the sun doesn’t exist.

I feel it. But it’s like, if I admit that I love you too, then I’m risking getting hurt and I . . . I don’t know if I’ll survive that.”

“You don’t have to say it back,” I reassured her. “But I want you to know where I stand. I love you, and I will not hurt you.”

“Can’t you just push me against the wall and fuck my mouth or something? I know how to handle that. I’m good at that. I’ve never thought about what it would be like to fall in love, and it scares me.”

“It’s okay to be scar...

“It’s...

“It is. You know why?” I cupped her cheeks. “Because you scare me.”