Fan The Flames (Man Of The Month Book 3) by Michele Dunaway Page A

stubborn. She’s too young for me to be the love of her entire life. That wouldn’t be fair. As long as I have a piece of her heart, her love will be big enough for her to move on. Yeah, I’ve been gone too long, and probably haven’t been there for her like I should. So she’ll need someone to take care of her until she gets on her feet and I need you to do that for me. I know she’ll be in good hands. Get her back to St. Louis where she belongs. You’re there, you’ll figure out how. Heck, maybe you’ll be the one because I know you’ve always been sweet on her. I’d be okay with that, provided you treat her the way she deserves and not like all those other women who’ve flitted through your life. Who would have thought I’d be the married dude and you the playboy stud? Do me one favor, just make sure any man would be a great dad to my daughter. And don’t let Colleen ever go a day without knowing how much I loved her. And stop blaming yourself. My decisions were always my own. Remember that. Todd
    Brad replayed the letter in his head. As much as he’d like to stop blaming himself, he hadn’t done enough to stop Todd. Sure, Todd had made his own decisions, but Brad could have done more. Should have done more.
    Even so, Brad couldn’t shed the guilt. If he hadn’t come home, if he’d reenlisted, he would have been on that mission instead of a newbie who’d made a critical, rookie mistake. A mistake that had almost killed the entire unit until Todd had sacrificed himself. He couldn’t shake the feeling that if he’d been there, he could have stopped it. Changed fate. Maybe died instead, allowing Todd to be home with his beautiful wife and terrific daughter.
    The irony was that, in the end, Todd had given Brad his blessing: maybe you’ll be the one. Tomorrow she’d get the Valentine’s Day flowers Brad had sent, along with a stuffed teddy bear for Colleen. Nothing fancy, like a dozen roses, but an arrangement of tulips that she could eventually plant in the garden out back. An “I’m glad you’re here” gift.
    He was probably the world’s biggest fool.
    But then he heard her laughing, felt the kiss of her lips, and part of him wanted nothing more than to commit to leaving the past behind. He’d never been afraid of anything before, but then he’d never been playing with his heart either.

Chapter Five
    “So have you talked to Brad?” her mother asked two days later. They were in line at Steve’s Hot Dogs on Magnolia; Scarlett’s dad had stayed behind after Sunday church for a fish fry committee meeting. “Those flowers yesterday were a sweet touch. Live tulips. You’ll be able to plant those outside once it gets warmer. I’ll show you how if you don’t know.”
    The arrangement had been a totally out-of-the-blue surprise. The front doorbell had shrilled, and outside had been one frazzled delivery driver. He’d asked her name, handed her a large package wrapped in heavy florist paper, and gone back down the front steps. The entire interaction had taken fifteen seconds. She’d torn into the package to find potted tulips and a teddy bear for Colleen. The card had read, Glad you’re here. Happy Valentine’s Day. Brad.
    His kindness had bowled her over, for he’d ordered the flowers before they’d even gone on their date. Before they’d kissed. “Colleen loved her bear. I was completely surprised.”
    “He didn’t have to do that.”
    “No, he didn’t.” Scarlett stared at the menu board high above the counter. The line moved up a foot. Luckily there were a few more people in front of them, for she had never seen so many choices of hot dogs. Who knew you could top a hot dog with macaroni and cheese? Or baked beans and potato salad?
    “So Brad,” her mom prompted. “Have you spoken to him since the delivery?”
    “No. He worked yesterday and I texted him, but no reply. He must have been busy, and I haven’t seen him yet today. I assume he’s going to come over later to finish