Source One

Amber leaped again.
    This time she managed to grasp the frame .
    Jagged g lass shredded Amber’s arms as she finally pulled herself through.  A shot rang out and hit the frame she’d been holding a split second before. Adrenaline coursed and propelled Amber forward.
    She could hear Sumner cursing behind her.
    ***
    “They’re on their way. About ten minutes out.”
    Brian nodded, pacing back and forth.
    Ten minutes. They’d have to wait only ten more minutes to free Amber.
    Brian froze as a shot rang out. His pulse skyrocketed.
    No!
    He took off toward the cabin.
    God! Let her still be alive.
    As Brian ran toward the house, he could make out flashes of movement through the trees.
    “Sumner!” Brian yelled.
    Sumner stopped running and turned to Brian.  He raised his gun.
    Brian ducked behind a tree and shouted to Amber. “Keep running, Amber!”
    Matt had reached Brian. He returned fire on Sumner.
    Sumner darted behind a redwood.
    Brian swallowed hard and looked around for Amber.  He couldn’t see her. Had she made it to the road? Or was she still in the woods?
    ***
    Amber stood pressed behind the tree, panting, as the shots rang out.
    Please God….
    Amber’s breath caught as a branch snapped.  She whipped her head around. 
    Michelle’s arms were stretched out in front of her as she approached the area where Brian and the other man stood.
    Michelle had recovered her gun. And her intention was clear.
    No!
    Amber took off as another round of gunfire began.
    ***
    Brian and Matt didn’t realize Sumner had changed position.  His next shot came from the right and hit Matt.
    “Matt!” Brian dragged Matt back behind the tree.
    Matt gasped. “Take this.” He pressed his gun into Brian’s hands.
    Sumner had moved closer and was taking aim again.  Heart pounding, Brian squeezed off two shots.
    Sumner went down on the second. Flat onto his face.
    Brian turned back to Matt. “Matt….”
    “I’m okay.”
    Another shot sounded.
    Amber!
    Brian scrambled to his feet and ran.
    Amber spun around as he approached her seconds later. 
    She still held the thick branch she had used to knock Michelle out cold.
    Brian drew her trembling form into his arms.  “Come here, sweetheart.”
    He steadied his breathing and kissed the top of her hair.  “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry for not believing you.”

CHAPTER 27
     
    Amber startled awake with a scream.
    “ Shhhh, sweetheart. It’s okay. You’re safe.”
    Amber’s breathing was ragged. She looked up at Brian. Then around the room.
    She was in a hospital. Brian had rescued her.
    She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.  She remembered what Brian had said over and over when he’d ridden with her in the ambulance.
    I love you, Amber. Please forgive me.
    Now he was gripping her hand, staring down at her, worry etched over his face.

 
    THREE MONTHS LATER
    Brian got home from work and walked upstairs. Katie and Amber were sitting on the floor of Katie’s room, having a tea party.
    Amber was sitting with her back to Brian. Her engagement ring glinted in the sunlight as she lifted her hand and took a pretend sip.
    Matt had recovered from his gunshot wound, and Michelle was in jail, awaiting trial.
    Amber had gone back to nursing. She now worked weekday mornings at the surgery center. Brian hadn’t realized Max Chambers was back in California.  They’d still never met.  Despite everything, Max had given Amber a recommendation.
    Next month, Brian and Amber were getting married. Amber had straightened things out with her father. He would be coming in from Italy with his wife and Amber’s siblings, and would be walking her down the aisle. Nicole and Brenda would be her bridesmaids.
    Diana would always be a part of him. Always.
    But Amber was his future. He’d been given a second chance with her. He felt the depth of Amber’s love every day. He only hoped she could say the same. And she had accepted Katie with all of her heart.
    With a grin, he entered the room.
     
    ###

About the Author
     
    I live in California with my husband and children. I hadn't picked up a romance novel for quite a while. Then along came the Fifty Shades trilogy. The emotion in those books was so incredible. Left wanting more, I decided to create my own characters.
    Fade to Love and Source One are now published. Stormy Love , my next novella, is due out in late 2013. You can learn more about me at allysonsimonian.com.
    And, if you’re so inclined, feedback from fans on Amazon.com