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  Table of Contents

  Cover

  Synopsis

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Other Books by Karen Legasy

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Chapter Forty

  Chapter Forty-One

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Chapter Forty-Four

  Chapter Forty-Five

  Chapter Forty-Six

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  Bella Books

  Synopsis

  Josephine Lavigne lives a contented life with Mollie, her golden retriever. Jo’s forestry consulting business is the perfect career for her love of the boreal forest.

  Samantha White, a big-city criminal lawyer from Toronto, heads north to her recently inherited cottage to spend a month of respite alone at the cabin. Sam has no experience in northern winters and recklessly puts her life at risk.

  Rescued by the moody and attractive forester, Sam is immediately drawn to Jo who sees her as an untrustworthy heartbreaker. After two nights snowed in together at the cottage then relocating to Jo’s house, the women begin to forge a friendship that scares them both.

  When a woman with a broken heart meets a woman with a history of breaking hearts, sparks fly. But will there be enough kindling to ignite a fire in this tumultuous winter romance?

  Copyright © 2018 by Karen Legasy

  Bella Books, Inc.

  P.O. Box 10543

  Tallahassee, FL 32302

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

  First Bella Books Edition 2018

  eBook released 2018

  Editor: Lauren Humphries-Brooks

  Cover Photo: Taken by Pamela Laidler of Ottawa, Ontario. Photo taken near Timmins, Ontario.

  Cover Designer: Judith Fellows

  ISBN: 978-1-59493-606-7

  PUBLISHER’S NOTE

  The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

  Other Bella Books by Karen Legasy

  My Forever Hero

  Acknowledgments

  I’ve always loved the north, and being out in nature. It’s in my blood and I wanted to write a story about two women confronted with the challenges of the vast Ontario landscape. Thank you so much to Bella Books for giving me the opportunity to bring Kindling for the Heart to you.

  Lauren Humphries-Brooks, a heartfelt thank you for your dedication and hard work as my talented editor who once again helped me bring out my best with this story.

  Of course Pam, my partner in life, I couldn’t do this without you. Your continuous support when I get lost in my writing, and then providing me with insightful comments after reading various drafts is very much appreciated and loved.

  This book is for you, the readers who ultimately make all of this possible. Thank you for reading.

  About the Author

  This is Karen’s second romance with Bella Books. Karen Legasy (pronounced legacy) lives in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada with her life partner, Pam. They have one adult daughter, Lisa. Having grown up in Timmins, Ontario in a loving family of six, Karen enjoys the outdoors and spending time in nature. She has always loved to write. Karen has co-authored two field guides for identifying forest plants while working for the Ontario government. Karen loves blue skies, chuckles, and all things chocolate.

  Dedication

  To Pam, you are the kindling for my heart.

  Chapter One

  Samantha White teetered in the fresh snow on the seemingly frozen lake in front of her cottage, alone and about to sink into her favorite childhood swimming hole. It was the first week of January and the temperature was well below zero. The lake should’ve been frozen solid by now, but the abnormally mild start to winter hampered its progress.

  Sam had only taken a few steps from the dock when the ice beneath her feet started to crack and water began seeping up through her aluminum-framed snowshoes. Her foothold finally crumbled in the slush and she dropped into the frigid water.

  “Oh shit. Somebody help me! Please!” Clawing at the ice, feet and legs thrashing in the water, she struggled to stop herself from going under. “I’ve fallen through the ice. Help!”

  Her shouts went unanswered. It was a Friday morning and no one else was on the deserted lake, other cottages closed for the winter. Sam’s mitted fists dug into the slush, her feet flailing in the open water as she tried to heave herself up onto the fragile surface. Her legs were heavy, winter footwear and snowshoes dragging her down as her wet skin stung from the glacial water. She kicked off her boots, braced her hands on the ice, and in one desperate thrust, pulled her legs up out of the water, then rolled away from the hole.

  “Shit. Fuck.” Blinding light reflected against the sparkling landscape left by the first big snowstorm of the year. Her eyes hurt, sunglasses lost in the scuffle. She lay on her back, thankful for the thick wool socks as her feet dropped into the snow like cement blocks. Shore wasn’t far, and the sun beamed warm rays against her red cheeks as she breathed hard in relief.

  Sam turned over to try to crawl to safety then realized she could barely move. Her wet snowsuit pants were heavy and stiffening in the frigid air. The sun would be setting soon—she desperately needed help to get back to the cottage. Warm tears crystalized on her eyelashes.

  “Help! Is anyone out there?” Sam shouted into the stillness as her teeth began to chatter
from the cold. The reality of her predicament renewed whimpers of dread. Was this how it was all going to end for her? Freezing to death because of a stupid mistake? Is that what she deserved?

  Then, through the silence, she heard a dog bark.

  Josephine Lavigne stopped to study Mollie. Her golden retriever had suddenly come to a standstill, sniffing into the wind before barking wildly. The only tracks in the snow were hers and Mollie’s, but something was obviously amiss.

  “What is it, Mollie?” She lowered her hood and removed her toque to listen. Except for a few chattering gray jays, all was quiet. They were close to a small community of cottages closed for the season, but she’d been walking for the last hour and was far from any roads that would have been kept cleared.

  Then Mollie was off, barreling through the snow as though on a mission to find some buried bone or hidden treasure. Josephine followed as close as she could, trying to listen for what Mollie must be hearing. Nothing.

  “Hello! Is anyone around?” Jo called.

  “Help me.” A distant voice echoed through the trees. “Please.”

  “Where are you?” Jo shouted back, surprised at the reply of a woman in distress.

  “I’m on the lake.” The yells were barely audible in the quiet forest. “I’ve fallen through the ice.”

  Jo’s heart began to race. She knew the ice was still too thin to walk out on. “I’m heading your way. Hang on.” She motioned to her agitated dog. “Come on, Mollie. Let’s go.”

  There was no clear trail, and Jo had to maneuver her snowshoes through thick bush and over fallen trees to find the quickest path. She was an expert navigator in the boreal forest, but her legs and hips ached as she hustled through the deep snow toward the lake. Mollie was used to accompanying Jo and found her own pathway through the fluffy powder.

  It was a small lake, spring fed, and Josephine knew it well. Fifteen cottages lined the shore; she had once considered buying one. When Jo reached the shoreline, a red jacket stood out against the snow. It was near one of the cottages on the other side of the lake. She saw movement.

  “I can see you,” Jo called out, trying to catch her breath. “Stay still and I’ll make my way along the shore.”

  “I will,” the woman yelled back. “All I can see is the sky.”

  “Are you hurt anywhere?” Jo squinted to get a better look at the woman in distress, but the sun obscured her view. “Should I call for help?”

  “I’ll be okay if I can get back to solid ground.”

  “I’ll be there in a minute. Hang tight.” Jo raced along the edge of the forest, Mollie close at her side. She knew it would have to be a snowmobile or helicopter rescue, if one was needed, because the road into the cottages hadn’t been plowed after the recent snowstorm. There wasn’t time anyway for saving someone right now on this deserted lake. Jo was her only hope.

  Samantha’s feet were numb and her toes all but frozen. At least she’d worn heavy snow pants and a down parka, but she was starting to shiver. Uncontrollably. Smoke from the cottage chimney teased her nostrils as she envisioned the warm crackling fire within the pine walls. She shifted her shoulders and slush stung her neck. The ice was giving way again.

  “Oh shit,” she said. “I’m sinking. Hurry.”

  “Just hold on.” Crunching snow and heavy breathing were getting louder. “I’m coming!”

  “There’s nothing to grip!” Sam flailed her arms, fruitlessly searching for something to grab onto as she began to slide into the water. “I’m falling in!”

  The woman was close now, the ruffling of her movements giving Sam hope.

  “Stay, Mollie.” Who the hell was Mollie? Sam heard barks and panting. Ah, the dog. “Grab my hands.”

  Sam began hyperventilating as she struggled to reach out, the weight of her soaked snow pants pulling her into the water. “I can’t.” The ice crumbled more. “Help me! Please!” Her arms thrashed through the air, unable to reach anything.

  “Let me try something else. I’m going to crawl out to you.”

  “No, you’ll fall in too.” Sam heard the swish of something being flung toward her.

  “Just wait.” There was another crunching of snow. “I’ve thrown my snowshoes onto the ice. I’ll use them for support as I crawl toward you.” Sam felt a tug at the hood on her parka. “I’ve got you. Reach back and grab my arms.”

  Sam reached backward over her head and clamped onto arms. “I’ve got you.”

  “You’re pulling me in!” Sam felt the woman wriggling and started to let go. “No, keep holding on. Come, Mollie. Help me.”

  The barking dog got closer, and then began to growl as though tugging at a toy. “That’s it Mollie. Pull on my snow pants. Pull.”

  “I think this is working.” Sam shifted her hips as she slid out of the water and along the snow. “Pull, Mollie! Whoever you are.”

  “She’s my golden retriever. Your savior.”

  “Who the hell are you then, besides my guardian angel?”

  “I’m Josephine. You can call me Jo. What’s your name?”

  “Sam. Samantha White.”

  “Try to help me more, Sam.” Her voice was comforting, encouraging. “I know you can do it. Keep moving your hips and ease back toward me. That’s it. We’re almost there.”

  The hard wooden boards digging into Sam’s shoulders gave her a sense of security, despite the pain. Arms jammed under her shoulders and then hoisted her up onto the snow-covered dock, where she rested for a moment, breathing. Alive.

  Then Sam rolled around and clung to the woman who’d just saved her life. “Thank you.” She buried her face into a strong shoulder and kissed the fabric of a navy parka.

  “We need to get you inside.” The woman began pulling away and stood. Sam watched her grab snowshoes from the ice then stand, dangling them at her side. A goddess dressed for the cold, fluffy white fur surrounding red cheeks buried in the navy hood, strands of blond hair sticking out onto her forehead. Blue eyes twinkled in a ray of the fading sun. A snow queen had just rescued her.

  “Good girl, Mollie.” Jo bent over and hugged her dog, its tail sweeping snow on the dock. Her attention went back to Sam, the blue eyes piercing. “Can you stand?”

  “I think so, but I’ll need some help. My pants are starting to freeze.”

  Jo’s gaze followed the trail to the cottage then settled on the smoke coming out of the chimney. “How long have you been on the ice?”

  “Not long at all.” Sam struggled to get up, the rigid legs on her pants restricting her movements.

  “Let’s get these off.” Sam felt hands reaching up inside her jacket, undoing her heavy pants, and then yanking them down. Her jeans beneath were damp, but not yet frozen. “See if you can stand now.” Sam grabbed onto Jo’s arms again and managed to stand.

  She let out a deep breath, giddy with relief. “Thank you, Jo. I can’t wait to put another log on that fire.”

  Jo held onto Sam as they made their way up to the cottage. “We might have to spend the night. I don’t imagine your road has been plowed out, and it’s a long walk back to my truck. I’d rather not do it in the dark. I hope you have an extra bed.”

  “Nope.” Sam hobbled toward the cottage, feet numb in her wet socks. “You’ll have to sleep in mine. With me.”

  Chapter Two

  A warm fire was still crackling in the woodstove when Jo maneuvered Sam into the cabin’s pine-paneled interior. Daylight was beginning to fade, so Jo clicked on the kitchen light to brighten up the small room that smelt of smoke. Mollie plopped next to the fire while Jo helped Sam to the nearest chair and began to undress her.

  “I think this is a first,” Sam said through chattering teeth. “We’ve known each other less than thirty minutes and you’re already taking my clothes off.”

  “Very funny.” A sudden awkwardness descended. Jo’s gaydar had never been all that great and the last thing she was looking for now was another partner. That is, if Sam was a lesbian too.

  Jo loo
ked up. The woman was indeed attractive, with her piercing brown eyes, short, disheveled hair, and dimples that expanded with every smile.

  “How old are you?” Sam asked.

  “Forty-two.”

  “Wow, I thought you were younger.” Sam hugged herself and shivered as Jo helped her out of her wet jeans. “You have a great body for an older woman.”

  “Are you always this direct?”

  “Why waste time? I’m thirty-seven, in case you’re interested.”

  “Well, I’m not.” Jo grabbed an old quilt draped over a rocking chair next to the woodstove. “Let’s get you wrapped in something warm. I’ll hold up this blanket while you strip out of your underwear.”

  “Aren’t you going to help?” Sam smirked.

  “No.” Jo fought off the urge to walk out on this preposterous situation. She looked over at Mollie relaxing by the fire while Sam finished undressing.

  Sam took hold of the thick blanket and wrapped herself in it. “Thanks. It feels good to be out of those wet things.”

  “I’m wet too.” Jo’s cheeks burned at her bad choice of words.

  Sam held out the edge of her quilt. “Well, why don’t you strip then, and we could keep each other nice and toasty under here.”

  Jo folded her arms across her chest, trying to control her anger. “You’re unbelievable. You don’t even know me and have no right to be making those kinds of remarks. Keep it up and I’ll walk through the bush in the dark to get back to my truck if I have to.”

  “I’m sorry.” Sam lowered her head, cheeks reddening. “You’re right. I don’t know you. You just saved my life and I guess I’m still in shock.”

  “That doesn’t give you the right to make assumptions about me.”

  “I know.” Sam dropped into the rocking chair, her dimples deflated. “I’m sorry for being so crude. I have no right to be like that. Please accept my apology.”