Along Came the Girl

ALONG CAME THE GIRL KACIE WEST Along Came the Girl Copyright @ 2023 Kacie West All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electric or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems without prior written permission from the publisher. The book is a work of fiction. The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author. Line, Copy, by Beth Lawton at VB Edits Interior formatting by H.C. PA & Formatting Services ISBN: 978-1-959389-04-0 (ebook) ISBN: 978-1-959389-05-7 (paperback) Created with Vellum To everyone who has had a rough year, remember the best things happen when plans go to shit. CONTENTS 1. Pregnancy Week One: 2. Pregnancy Week Two and Half: 3. Pregnancy Week Two and some change: 4. Pregnancy Week Three: 5. Pregnancy Week Six: 6. Pregnancy Week Six: 7. Pregnancy Week Six: 8. Pregnancy Week Six Point Five: 9. Pregnancy Week Six and Half: 10. Pregnancy Week Seven: 11. Pregnancy Week Eight: 12. Pregnancy Week Nine: 13. Pregnancy Week Ten: 14. Pregnancy Week Twelve: 15. Pregnancy Week Thirteen: 16. Pregnancy Week Thirteen: 17. Pregnancy Week Fourteen: 18. Pregnancy Week Fifteen: 19. Pregnancy Week Sixteen: 20. Pregnancy Week Seventeen: 21. Pregnancy Week Seventeen: 22. Pregnancy Week Seventeen: 23. Pregnancy Week Seventeen: 24. Pregnancy Week Eighteen: 25. Pregnancy Week Nineteen 26. Pregnancy Week Twenty: Epilogue Coming Soon Also By Kacie West A Note From The Authors Acknowledgments About the Authors “Rule number two: no drama and no bullshit. You hear me, McKinley?” The chair creaked as his new chief rocked back and crossed his arms with a glare. Owen fisted his hands in his lap. Although his position with the quintessential small-town firehouse wasn’t his idea of a dream job, rule number two sounded perfect. After the way his last six months had gone, he’d have to be a moron to get involved with any type of drama. He’d transferred to escape the mess that his life had become in Richmond. Now he wanted peace. Not chaos. After a quick raise of his chin, Brian Thompson went on. “You moved up quickly through the ranks at Richmond 15. I can appreciate how dedicated you were.” “Thanks, Chief.” But Owen didn’t miss the were. Sitting up a bit straighter, he continued. “I’ll show this house the same commitment.” But instead of smiling, Brian pursed his lips. “I’ve heard the rumors. Career focused, single-mindedly driven. I expect you have your sights set on my job.” Owen couldn’t deny it. In Richmond, he had been a Lieutenant. His goal had been to be the first fire chief under forty in the city. He clenched his jaw, once again regretting the choices that had led him to Half Moon Lake. The small town wasn’t utter shit or anything. He’d vacationed here a few times with friends, and it was gorgeous in the summer. But starting over wasn’t ideal. And here he was, prepared to bust his ass in bumfuck North Carolina to earn stripes that should have already belonged to him. The chief leaned forward, resting his thick forearms on the desk. “Part of why I brought you on was so we could work together, and depending on how that goes, maybe I can groom you for my job someday. I won’t hold the bullshit you left behind against you. I get not everything that happened was your fault.” Of course it wasn’t his fault. Daddy’s princess snapped her fingers, and Owen was the one who paid the price. “Lesson learned there, sir.” He assured his new boss. “Just want to come in and do my job.” The chief nodded. “You’re not a rookie, but you are the new guy. You’ll earn a place here in time. But until then, the guys will give you shit and the jobs they usually hand out to candidates. My two cents? Show them you want to be here and that you’re ready to earn your spot. That’ll go over better than reminding them that you technically outrank them.” Owen dipped his chin and held back the you’ve got to be kidding me that he wanted so badly to let fly. He needed this to work, and he hated to admit that the chief was probably right. “Your EMT training will be an asset here. The guys will see that pretty quickly.” The EMT certification had given Owen opportunities to pick up extra shifts in Richmond. Plus, all the top-level guys had it. He’d been successful in fast-tracking his career in every way but one. In his lap, his knuckles were white, so he forced himself to relax. Chief Thompson balanced his chin on his fist as he studied Owen, who tried not to fidget under the intensity. Although the man was probably close to sixty, he was still solid and tall and broad-shouldered. Even with his blond hair going silver, the man was intimidating. He dropped his hand to the desk and sighed. “How’s the new apartment working out?” His hazel eyes softened, and his lips turned up at the corners. Almost as if he’d taken off his boss hat and had put on one more fitting for a friend. That would take a hot minute for Owen to get used to. His previous chief had run a house three times the size of this one, and in a major city. Heart-to-hearts and friendships with superiors didn’t happen at the station in the city. “It’s great. I’m glad you suggested the place.” The chief had given him the name of an apartment complex not far from the station. On a nice day, Owen could even walk if he wanted. “I’ve heard good things.” He nodded. “You all unpacked?” He’d unpacked the day the moving truck arrived. He couldn’t stand living out of boxes. And he’d never understood how it took people weeks to organize their shit. The chaos of it all would