As
soon as the word left my mouth, Rae’s face opened up and she was
smiling over at me and it was like I was falling in towards her. When
she was happy, I got vertigo. All those happy brain chemicals just
took over and I was lost in bliss.
“Get
out of my rescue, Luke Cawley,” she said.
“Will
do,” I replied, scooping up King’s leash and opening the door
again. But before we stepped out, Rae’s voice came after me.
"Hey
Luke, you want to hook up sometime?" she asked. I turned around,
probably looked startled. Sometimes I'm smooth, sometimes I'm not. "I
mean, I could help you with King. At the dog park or something. You
get a dog tired enough, he won’t rip up the house.”
She
smiled. Clearly this was a professional courtesy she was extending,
right? But I still couldn’t help feeling like it might do me and
King both some good to see Rae again.
“I
uh, lost your number,” I said. Sounded a lot nicer than ‘I threw
it away while I was cleaning my house.’ I took out my phone. “I’ll
just put it into my phone this time. Rae, right? What's your last
name?" I made a new contact.
"Goode,"
she said.
I'd
remember that. I didn't have the best memory, but I remember what's
important. I decided I couldn't let it be a sign, though. It was just
a last name. Totally wasn't a sign. I'm too grown up to believe in
things like that.
I
tapped in her number, texted her so she had mine, then I reached
down, pet King on the head once more, and left the shelter with my
dog in tow, feeling pretty good after all was said and done.
Meet
Luke Crawley in Blake Austin's debut novel of loss, redemption, and
ever-enduring love releasing on February 24th!
Luke
Cawley is a broken man. After his wife's tragic death, he lost
everything that mattered in the world. Now, his life is filled with
hard days, harder nights, and a steady stream of alcohol and the
wrong kind of women. Nothing helps.
Until
the letters arrive on Luke's doorstep.
Nine
envelopes. Nine messages. Nine chances to find his way back.
Rae
Goode is looking for the real thing. After fighting her way out of a
string of bad relationships, she's ready for something
different--something true.
She
meets Luke while piecing her life together, and right away she can
tell that he's different. Drawn together by fate and the desire to
heal, Rae and Luke discover new ways to mend their broken hearts--one
letter at a time.
Discover
Blake Austin's debut novel of loss, redemption, and ever-enduring
love.
For
updates: Follow Blake Austin on Facebook: Here