Bonfires

Ten years ago Sheriff's Deputy Aaron George lost his wife and moved to Colton, hoping growing up in a small town would be better for his children. He's gotten to know his community, including Mr. Larkin, the bouncy, funny science teacher. But when Larx is dragged unwillingly into administration, he stops coaching the track team and starts running alone. Aaron-who thought life began and ended with his kids-is distracted by a glistening chest and a principal running on a dangerous road. Larx has been living for his kids too-and for his students at Colton High. He's not ready to be charmed by Aaron, but when they start running together, he comes to appreciate the deputy's steadiness, humor, and complete understanding of Larx's priorities. Children first, job second, his own interests a sad last. It only takes one kiss for two men approaching fifty to start acting like teenagers in love, even amid all the responsibilities they shoulder. Then an act of violence puts their burgeoning relationship on hold. The adult responsibilities they've embraced are now instrumental in keeping their town from exploding. When things come to a head, they realize their newly forged family might be what keeps the world from spinning out of control.

Bonfires: Book Two. Saying "I love you" doesn't guarantee peace or a happy ending. High school principal "Larx" Larkin was pretty sure he'd hit the jackpot when Deputy Sheriff Aaron George moved in with him, merging their two families as seamlessly as the chaos around them could possibly allow. But when Larx's pregnant, daughter comes home unexpectedly and two of Larx's students are put in danger, their tentative beginning comes crashing down around their ears. Larx thought he was okay with the dangers of Aaron's job, and Aaron thought he was okay with Larx's daughter-who is not okay-but when their worst fears are almost realized, it puts their hearts and their lives to the test. Larx and Aaron have never wanted anything as badly as they want a life together. Will they be able to make it work when the world is working hard to keep them apart?

Larx and Aaron have faced a lot together-small-town prejudice, work injuries, and pregnant daughters. But finally two of their teenagers have graduated and Larx is making moves to lessen his workload in anticipation of Aaron being elected sheriff in the fall. Maybe, just maybe, they can start planning the wedding they've longed to have. Then a student goes missing and Aaron's mentor takes a bullet during the search. Larx and Aaron backburner their plans and jump into what they do best-taking care of their people. They don't expect to be the ones who end up in danger. While Larx and Aaron struggle to get out of their perilous situation, their family is galvanized into action. Just like Larx and Aaron's relationship, their rescue is going to take hard work, ingenuity, and a solid sense of humor, but the people whose lives they've touched are up for the job. Nobody will rest until Larx and Aaron are safe and sound-and ready to ride off into the sunset toward the beginning of the rest of their lives.

Guthrie's a snakebit musician with a runaway heart. Can Tad convince his wandering minstrel to settle down?