A Winter's Date (54 page)

The salty tears are back, and they steadily move down her cheeks to her jawline and then drop onto her exposed breasts as she nods in agreement.

Heather refused to be rolled out in a wheelchair to the rental SUV; instead, we’re walking down the hallway of the Banff—Mineral Springs Hospital’s emergency room. My arm is locked tightly around her as we round the corner, where we see Brannon staring in our direction while the other three stand next to him, trying to console him in any way possible. When he moves toward Heather, the others take a step back, and Coen signals toward me, informing me that they are going to be waiting in the SUV.

“Heather.”

“Oh Brannon.”

She walks out of my arms and straight into Brannon’s brotherly grasp. He hugs her tightly. “I’m so sorry, Heather.”

“I’m sorry too.”

I don’t know how life will go on after this devastating loss for the two of them, but I’m sure they will lean on each other for guidance through their grieving.

“I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to her,” Brannon says, and he angrily wipes at his cheeks.

Heather doesn’t say another word. Instead, she buries her face into his chest as emotional sobs rack her frame.

Brannon leads her out into the cold air, as they speak quietly to themselves, before he helps her into the SUV. My phone buzzes in my front left pocket and I reach in and pull it out, not recognizing the number calling as my eyes follow the two of them out of the double glass doors.

“Hello?”

“This call may be recorded and monitored. You are receiving a collect call from an inmate, Mae Ryan, at the Arizona State Prison Complex—ASPC Perryville—Women’s Treatment. Do you choose to accept this call?” a robotic voice asks me on the other line.

Oh fuck.

My heart stops for what seems like the millionth time in one day. My feet stop of their own accord, keeping me from moving another inch as I make up my mind in an instant. My reply is cold and clipped. “Yes.”

The End

Be on the lookout for book three:

An Expiration Date

The Date Series

The co-authors come as a package deal with extravagant ribbons laced on top. Their combined enthusiasm is seen as a pink sunrise, uniquely captivating. They share a love for writing, fictional romance, passion-fruit tea lemonade, sweetened and shaken on ice, as well as the color pink. Their combined efforts to share their internal monologues, since they share a brain, can be found in The Date Series.

JESS

Jess is a registered dental hygienist by day and a contemporary romance author by night. She currently resides in the Greater St. Louis area with her husband. When Jess isn’t writing (meaning her characters aren’t demanding her undivided attention), she enjoys reading books, scouring Pinterest, collecting fountain pens, and traveling with her husband.

SASHA

A self-published author by night and all around busybody by day, Sasha is an international baby, born in gorgeous South Africa. Her cultured lifestyle is one that many don’t get to experience. Four countries, and a co-author later, she has published her first book of The Date Series. When she’s not preoccupied with her imposing owl fixation, she’s hashing out new ways to translate a titillating and libidinous scene onto a page.

Stay in contact with Jess & Sasha (JSAuthors)

www.JSAuthors.com

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Please find and follow our Pinterest board,
JSAuthors
, to see small snippets of our inspirational photos for
A Winter’s Date
.

We would each like to thank every single person who has encouraged us to pursue this series and our dreams.

I would like to thank my parents, Andrew and Vanessa, for everything you do. You both encourage me to continue to chase after this new adventure in my life with guns blazing; it would be impossible without you. In addition, I would like to thank my brother, Tynan, for the faith that you show in my work. I love you all to the ends of the earth and back again.

• Sasha
   
  

I’d like to thank my husband for his continued support, patience, and understanding on this amazing journey. To my sister, thank you for your love and constant excitement about this series. You’ve given me many things to write about! I’m sure you know by now who inspired Dani and Heather. And to my parents, family, and friends: thank you for your support and encouragement. Your excitement for this book/series is heartwarming, and I’m so happy you enjoy it. Mom, thank you for getting me hooked on reading! Without it, I wouldn’t have ever attempted this endeavor. I love you all.

• Jess
   
  

Collectively, we thank the following people for the time they contributed to making this series what it is today:

To Lisa Aurello: finding the right words to thank you for all that you do and have done for us is nearly impossible. We’re incredibly honored to be working with you on our novels.

To our betas: Dani Naas, Ashley Scales, Jillian Crouson-Toth, Ninfa Zito-Maisano, Linda Russell, Kelly Williams, and Erica McKinley. Thank you for all of your advice, love, and effort you constantly give us. You ladies are truly amazing in every sense of the word.

To Mark Thomas, Greg Sandifer, and Jason Epps: thank you for contributing to help build some of Coen, Joel, and Noah’s banter. Keep the good lines coming!

To Judi Perkins: your talent is exceptional. Thank you for providing us with yet another gorgeous, and one-of-a-kind book cover.

Last, but certainly not least:

Thank you for reading
A Winter’s Date
.

-JS