Military duty called them away to war zones,
but after tours overseas,
the group of friends found their way back home as men,
seeking the peaceful little seaside town.
Now, the band of brothers, together once more,
work to provide a place
for less fortunate veterans to call home.

Colt Hudson, Sheriff of North Heron County, has little time for anything other than his job…and keeping an eye on the pretty waitress at The Diner.

Single mom, Carrie Beaumont has little time for anything other than her job, her son, taking care of her elderly neighbor…and harboring secret fantasies about the handsome Sheriff.

When a fire in her neighbor’s home forces them out, Colt comes to the rescue. After all, his big empty house is in dire need of a ready-made family.

As they give in to the attraction and their friendship turns to love, a string of thefts leads to a investigation that her son stumbles into.

Keeping his newly found family together, and safe, is just what Colt lives for. Protecting her son and the man of her dreams is what Carrie fights for.

Note:
Scenes and Language similar to what you would find in an R-rated movie. 18+ only.

We’ve seen Colt in the previous books, now we get to know him. He’s the North Heron Sheriff a position he’s had since he returned five years ago. It’s a time consuming position and that’s just one of his excuses for not asking Carrie out.

Carrie is a single mother working at Joe’s Place a popular diner in Easton. She moved here with her mother about ten years ago. She knew of Colt before he walked in the door and pretty much knocked the breath out of her with his stunning good looks. It’s a friendship of sorts, but she looks forward to seeing him every morning for breakfast just as much as he looks forward to her smile.

There’s also Jack, Carrie’s son, he’s an intelligent fun loving child who has grown up with plenty of love around him. I love the interactions with him and Colt. It’s pretty obvious from the start that not only is Colt more than a little interested in Carrie, he also cares a great deal for Jack.

This is a favorite scene.

“I got some time to sit down.”

She blinked for a second, forgetting what she had asked. “Well, good, because we kept your place open. Have a seat, and I’ll be right there.” Her gaze stayed on the back of him as he walked away, heading toward the far stool at the counter. He was the only man that she thought the back view of him was almost as good as the front, and she sucked in a quick breath before letting it out slowly.

“You’d better stop drooling,” BettyJo said as she walked by, a sparkle in her eyes.

Wondering what on earth was wrong with her, she gave a mental shake, fetched a few more plates to deliver to tables, and headed behind the counter. Giving Joe the order for Colt, she caught sight of the big yellow school bus pulling into the parking lot.

Colt must have seen her staring because he swiveled on his stool and looked out the window as well. “Already?”

Nodding, she replied, “The kids have some half days here at the end of the school year.”

They both watched as the door to the school bus opened, and a dark-haired boy hopped down. He shifted his backpack around, then waved to the bus driver and his friends. He then turned and hustled to the front door of the diner, and she could not help but grin as the bell rang and the boy walked in.

He looked around, met her gaze, and grinned widely as well. He walked straight over to the counter and called out, “Hi, Mom!” The boy hopped up on the stool next to Colt and said, “Hey, Sheriff Hudson.”

“Hey, Jack. You’re out of school awfully early.”

“It’s almost the end of the school year! Yesterday we had a field day. Today we had a party. And tomorrow, we help our teacher get the room ready for the summer cleaning.”

“When are you going to get any learning done?” Colt asked, lifting an eyebrow, pretending to scowl.

Carrie watched as Jack threw his head back and laughed. “We’ve already had our state assessments, and I passed them with flying colors. I think I’ve had enough learning for one year, don’t you think?”

She rolled her eyes. “If you’re so smart, how come you haven’t given me a hug since coming in?”

Jack got up on his knees, balancing on the stool, and leaned over the counter, and she bent forward. She felt his arms wrap around her neck, and she closed her eyes, knowing that was the best feeling in the world. She also knew that the day when he would want to hug his mom in public was soon coming to an end.

With his arms still around her, she opened her eyes and was surprised to see Colt’s face so close, his gaze penetrating as he stared at the two of them. Not being able to read that look, she pulled back after giving Jack a quick kiss on his forehead. That must have pushed the limit because he wiped his forehead and complained, “Mom!”

Soon, she delivered Colt’s lunch to him, also setting a plate in front of Jack. Mavis and Joe had called out to him from the back, and he waved with excitement.

“Just so you know, Jack, Grandma is taking her neighbor to the library this afternoon, and she’ll come by and pick you up when she’s finished. Until then, you’re stuck with me.”

Jack cut his eyes toward Colt and said, “There are worse places I could be stuck. At least here, I get to have some of Mavis’ apple pie when I want to.”

Colt chuckled. “Sounds like you’ve got quite a deal going on here.”

“It’s great! I get as much food as I want, and they love me here.”

Placing her fists on her hips, Carrie said, “Boy, you might get Mavis’ apple pie, but you’re going to work for it. As soon as the lunch crowd thins, you’re going to help wipe down tables and see what else you can do.”

Jack shook his head and looked at his mom before cutting his eyes back over to Colt. “Sheriff, isn’t there something about making kids work for their food?”

Colt adopted a serious expression and said, “I think we can trust your mother to make sure you’re not overworked.” Leaning in closer, he whispered loudly, “But, Jack, if you ever think I need to investigate your mom, you let me know.”

Rolling her eyes again, she tried to ignore the thrill that shot through her at the idea of Colt investigating her. Deciding to walk away before she did something foolish like ask him to frisk her and pull out his handcuffs, she headed around the room, checking on her customers, determined to get her mind back on her job. The only problem was that she kept looking back over to the corner of the counter, seeing the best man she had ever met, laughing and talking with her son, who was her favorite person in the whole world. And she smiled.
Maryann Jordan. Our Time (Arc copy): Baytown Boys (Kindle Locations 297-299).

As Carrie signs up Jack for summer activities, Colt and the deputies start investigating a rash of burglaries. When one of the victims is Carrie’s neighbor, it seems things start heating up in more ways than one.

Another great story surrounding Baytown and all the characters within. I laughed, cried, held my breath and sighed more than a couple of times.

I really can’t wait for the next book, I am truly addicted to this town and its inhabitants.

5 Contented Purrs for Maryann!

Maryann Jordan

I have always been an avid reader. My early memories were of my mother taking me to the library and allowing me to check out as many books as I could carry. My favorite books were checked out numerous times and read over and over. I would use my Barbie dolls to play out the scenes in books (such as Nancy Drew!).

I have written as a hobby for many years (probably since childhood). I have written devotionals, autobiographical writings about having a severely handicapped, medically fragile child, about my mother’s Alzheimer’s, and other subjects that interest me.

I joke that I “cut my romance teeth” on the old historical romance books. In 2013, I started a blog to showcase wonderful writers. In 2014, I finally gave in to the characters in my head pleading for their story to be told. Thus, Emma’s Home was created.

I worked as a counselor in a high school and was involved in education for the past 30 years, until retiring in 2015. I have been married to a wonderfully patient man for 35 years and have 2 adult, very supportive daughters. When writing, my dog or one of my cats will usually be found in my lap!