The Combustible Engagement (Cobble Creek Romance Book 3) by Maria Hoagland

Author:Maria Hoagland [Hoagland, Maria]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Cobble Creek Wyoming, Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction, Forever Love, Christian Stories, Faith Based, Inspirational Reads, Love Inspired, Bachelor, Single Woman, Hearts Desire, Clean & Wholesome, Life-Changes, Second Chance Reunion, Honesty & Trust, Home & Family, Lifetime Love, Romantic Schemes, Love-Family & Forever, Action & Adventure, Small Town & Rural Area, Beautiful & Feisty, Fake Engagement
Publisher: Red Leaves Press
Published: 2019-02-11T05:00:00+00:00

* * *

Sorry about your race, Monroe texted Tess the day before the Cobble Creek Hobble would have been held.

Monroe had been on duty in sixteen-hour shifts since the house-hunting trip a few days back, but the last he knew, Tess had still been pushing herself to train despite the smoke-infused air. It was worse than doing yoga in an incense shop, and just as counterproductive. He’d tried to convince her to stop for her health, but when she hadn’t accepted his advice, he understood. Abandoning a big goal like that, when it was right there within reach, would have been impossible for him as well.

He cringed at the hypocrisy of his advice. Working on the line, breathing in the thick smoke completely unfiltered—Monroe didn’t even want to think about the damage he was doing to his lungs. He’d developed a tolerance over the years, but that didn’t mean Tess should.

You heard about it then? she responded.

Yes. Stinks. I know you’ve worked hard. He’d heard that his supervisor had called Cobble Creek’s mayor and sheriff to convince them to call it off, which had to have disappointed Tess. Cancellation due to poor air quality was the only prudent course of action for the runners’ health, but that didn’t mean it didn’t hurt. He sent another text before she could respond. Alternative date instead?

He stared at his screen, wondering if he should have been less vague, but this way, if she turned him down, he had plausible deniability.

Are you asking me out? she texted back without delay. That fact made him smile. Apparently, she wouldn’t be opposed to such an idea.

We need to be seen together, don’t we? And since your day’s plans fell through . . .

All week they’d been exchanging random texts. He hadn’t had that kind of relationship with a woman for years. It started with Tess sending pictures of crazy wallpaper and horrible paint combinations and other laughable design choices. The next day she sent taunting photos of mouthwatering root beer floats, and he retaliated with severed rattlesnake tails and group pictures of him sliding down his rappelling rope.

He enjoyed their easygoing banter so much, he wasn’t about to point out that texts weren’t strictly necessary to pull off a fake engagement. No one but the two of them even saw the messages.

But it did help in getting to know her better.

What did you have in mind?

Why? Would you say no? He wished he could see her expression to determine if she was going along with it as part of the fake engagement or if she was actually interested in spending time with him.

Maybe.

He chuckled to himself. Surprise. You in or not?

I’m in.

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