Letter Late Than Never

LETTER LATE THAN NEVER GREEN VALLEY HEROES BOOK #3 LAUREN CONNOLLY www.smartypantsromance.com Copyright This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, rants, facts, contrivances, and incidents are either the product of the author’s questionable imagination or are used factitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead or undead, events, locales is entirely coincidental if not somewhat disturbing/concerning. Copyright © 2023 by Smartypants Romance; All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, photographed, instagrammed, tweeted, twittered, twatted, tumbled, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without explicit written permission from the author. Made in the United States of America Ebook Edition ISBN: 978-1-959097-12-9 Contents Foreword Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Chapter 38 Chapter 39 Chapter 40 Chapter 41 Chapter 42 Chapter 43 Chapter 44 Chapter 45 Chapter 46 Chapter 47 Chapter 48 Chapter 49 Chapter 50 Chapter 51 Chapter 52 Chapter 53 Epilogue Acknowledgments About the Author Also by Lauren Connolly Also by Smartypants Romance To every postal worker. You kept this country running during the pandemic. (And I’m sorry I keep ordering cat litter through the mail.) Content Warning: This book contains scenes depicting anxiety, panic attacks, and excessive drinking. It also includes scenes discussing suicide and drug overdose. Chapter One GWEN Never take your eyes off your food if squirrels, seagulls, or Sebastian Kirkwood are around. POSTCARD FROM RYAN, FLORIDA When I daydreamed about coming face-to-face with Sebastian Kirkwood again, I never envisioned myself covered in blood. But the guy works as a paramedic, so maybe that indicates a lack of imagination on my part. “Oh goodness. He’s too handsome. Gwen, tell them to send me someone who isn’t good-looking. Don’t they know the state I’m in?” Agnes stares up at me expectantly as I apply pressure to the cut on her forehead. “I’m sorry. I don’t think they have a menu for us to order first responders from.” There’s true regret in my voice because, honestly, I’d rather not deal with him right now either. When I arrived at my favorite stop on my mail route, I discovered sweet Mrs. Agnes Keen lying in her garden, bleeding. She tried to explain what happened. Something to do with slipping on a rock while holding garden shears. All I saw was the blood, and my body went into freak-out adrenaline mode. “What will he think?” She tries to pat her messy gray curls, but even that small movement has her wincing. My initial plan was to toss out all of the packages and crates of letters that crowded my Ford Bronco, load Agnes into the passenger seat, and drive her to the hospital in Merryville myself. But the second I tried to help her stand, she let out a pained gasp. So, that was a no-go. Last thing I wanted was to make her injuries worse. Who knew my 911 call would result in sexiness in a paramedic’s uniform? “Sebastian is nice.” At least he was back in high school. “And you look gorgeous. Are you wearing the mascara I gave you?” She nods and offers a brave smile that breaks my heart. Not that I let her see. “Told you it was good, didn’t I? No clumps.” My voice only shakes a little on the last word. I can’t help the fear that grips me. What if she doesn’t make it? “You’re going to be okay,” I say, equal parts for her sake and mine. Then, Sebastian Kirkwood kneels at my side, and I start believing the words. “Oh Lord. You’re even better-looking up close,” Agnes mutters. I wonder if she knows we both can hear her. “Hello there, Mrs. Keen. I heard you ran into some trouble, and I’m here to help.” Then, Sebastian goes and does something terribly unfair. He grins. If my friend was hurting a moment ago, I’m betting she doesn’t need any painkillers now. That set of perfect white teeth, paired with his trademark puppy-dog eyes and neatly trimmed beard, is enough to numb any hurt. Well, almost any. No matter how hard I try, I’ve never been able to escape the persistent ache that accompanies my long-lasting, bothersome crush. Long-lasting because I’ve mooned over Sebastian’s strong jaw and easy laugh since grade school. Bothersome because the man is off-limits. Totally and completely not for me. Never gonna happen, Gwen. Get over him already! But as I watch Sebastian work, speaking kind words to Agnes as he checks her for injuries, I know I’ll need even more time to demolish my silly crush. Hiding from him hasn’t exterminated the unwanted, awkwardly flapping flamingos in my stomach that perform a lusty dance whenever he’s nearby. “Gwen?” At the sound of my name in his friendly voice, I jerk my thoughts away from queasiness-inducing lust birds. “Yeah?” “Anything to add?” “To what?” My attention flits from Agnes to Sebastian, where his hazel eyes hold mine. “To what happened to Mrs. Keen.” He speaks slowly, as if worried I might not understand him. Great. Now, he thinks I need medical attention too. “Oh. No. Not really. I got here after she fell, and when she couldn’t get up, I called 911.” He nods, then turns his head to speak to his partner, which only drives home how thoroughly distracted I was because I didn’t even notice there was another EMT. Damn it, Gwen. Focus. As Sebastian’s partner—who I now see is Grizz Grady—approaches with a stretcher, I focus back on my friend. Agnes just turned seventy last month, and she looks so small, lying on the ground. I want to