Title – Once Upon a Summer Night
Author – Kyra Jacobs
Genre – Romance (sweet)
Publisher – Tule Publishing
Book Blurb –
Home is a refuge—but is it always the right choice?
Hannah Brooks left home eight summers ago to help her friend Beth hide a surprise pregnancy. Their unplanned adventure also helped her escape from beneath her fire chief father’s thumb. Now Beth has died and Hannah faces a brewing custody battle for Noah, the boy she helped raise from birth. It’s time to return to Bourbon Falls and make amends with the family she loves and needs.
Chase Redding finally gave up hope of ever seeing Hannah again, and is focused on being part owner of Oak Barrel Farms and climbing the ranks in his firefighting career. But now that she’s back, he’ll do anything to convince her to stay in their hometown, even if it means sharing his beloved fire station.
But amid their budding romance at Brooks Farm, family tensions resurface and the custody suit takes a turn for the worst. It’s going to take a little summertime magic to keep Hannah and Chase’s happily ever after from slipping away a second time.
Excerpt –
“Bet you’re glad you went inside and made up with your dad after all, huh?”
She nodded, her gaze downcast. “I just hope it will all work out in the end. I mean, I feel kinda bad, uprooting Noah from our town and then leaving him with various family members while I work to fulfill my end of the deal.”
“Hannah, look at your boy,” Chase said softly, his gaze leading hers to the playground. Noah was on the swing set, all smiles as he chatted it up with a little girl swinging to his right, and a little boy swinging to his left. “Nothing about his expression says he feels sad or uprooted. In fact, every time I’ve seen him since you guys got here, he’s looked happy and comfortable in his new surroundings.”
A smile tugged at her pink lips as she watched him across the way. “He has done really well. Not eating the best, but that’s an everyday struggle.” She sighed. “I just don’t want his heart broken when we head back west.”
I don’t want mine broken if that happens, either. “Then don’t go back.”
She smirked. “You say that like it’s a real option.”
“Isn’t it? He’s happy here. You’re happy here. Everything’s within walking distance.”
“Not from Brooks Farm!” She laughed.
“It is when you live in town like me.” With me was what he wanted to say.
“But I need a job to stay, Chase. Right now, my position is temporary.”
“Then get a job in town. Or, better yet, go work for your aunt at the bookstore.” He bumped his elbow into hers.
“It has been kinda fun, working there in the afternoons. Brought back a lot of good memories. But Aunt Faye can’t afford to pay me what I need to make to support Noah. Besides,” she added with a grin, “I love fighting fires.”
To that, he could relate. But the money part was a nonissue; he could take care of them both if she’d let him. And that was what tonight was really all about—starting to help her see that the three of them could be more than just buddies. So much more. He dug into the bag she’d carried and produced a Nerf football.
“I do, too. I also love playing catch.” He tossed her the ball. “Join me?”
A mischievous grin tugged at her lips. “You actually going to be able to catch my spiral this time?”
“This time?” He caught her first toss then stepped farther away to throw a perfect spiral back. Hannah was playing with fire—the Nerf variety—and she knew it. “Pfft, I should be asking the same of you.”
The smack of the football landing in her hands took him back in time. How many afternoons had they played catch at this very park? He’d tried tossing the football around with Del at work during a slow time or two, but it just hadn’t been the same. No one had ever been able to replace his Hannah.
He’d decided long ago that no one ever could.
They quickly fell into their old routine, telling stories about their day in between throws and catches. After a little while, Noah came to join their game, which gradually turned into a round of keep-away from Hannah. Boys versus girl, which Noah found quite funny. And Hannah, being the good sport that she was, played right along.
This is what it feels like to be a family.
The thought caught Chase out of left field. Temporarily stunned, he dove belatedly for Noah’s final pass and tumbled to the grass. Hannah snatched up the loose ball and laughed as she danced around them on a victory lap. With a groan, Noah collapsed beside Chase, his forehead damp with sweat.
“Aw, man, we lost.”
Chase propped himself up on one elbow, his gaze on Hannah but his voice low. “Yeah, but sometimes you gotta let the ladies win.”
“Why?”
She planted a hand on one hip, eyes narrowed at their secret bro chat. The stance made her look even more kissable than before. He looked to Noah on a grin. “So they’ll want to keep playing.”
The trio headed back to his place for grilled burgers, potato salad, chips, and fruit. Despite Hannah’s earlier claims, Noah ate like a champ. His belly full, he dropped down into Chase’s giant beanbag chair in the living room to watch cartoons while the adults cleaned up. Smokey curled up beside him, and within minutes, Noah was fast asleep.
“I think we wore him out,” Hannah said, following Chase into the kitchen with the last of their dinner plates.
He took them from her and loaded them into the dishwasher. “Yeah, he’ll sleep well tonight.”
“Me, too,” she said with a soft laugh, leaning against his countertop. “That keep-away game was exhausting.”
“That’s what happens when you have a tough opponent.” Chase closed the dishwasher, then came to stand before her. “Heaven forbid you go easy on me.”
She snorted. “Like that would ever happen.”
“Nope.” He eased closer, arms circling her waist. “Of course, I’d expect no less from you.”
“No?”
Chase dipped his head to whisper in her ear. “Nope.”
A shiver rattled through her, bringing a smile to his lips. He pressed them to the shell of her ear. Then to that soft spot behind her earlobe.
“What are you doing?” she asked softly, amusement in her voice.
“Kissing you.” His nose skimmed her cheek. “Is that a problem?”
She placed her hands on his chest. “I don’t know. Part of me thinks it could be.”
“And the other part?” he asked, his nose skimming hers.
Hannah’s lips parted, her warm breath drifting over his skin. “It’s telling me to stop thinking and just kiss you.”
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub) –
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/once-upon-a-summer-night-kyra-jacobs/1144337473?ean=9781962707039
Facebook Party:
Join us on the Tule Book Club page on 4/4/24 at 7:30pm EST
Fun prizes to be had.
Author Biography –
Kyra Jacobs is an extroverted introvert who’s always called Indiana home. Growing up in the Midwest means she’s well-versed in fickle weather, pork tenderloins that don’t fit on a bun, and sarcasm. Putting her Indiana University degrees in Public Management to good use by day means Kyra does the bulk of her writing late into the night. Fueled by caffeine and funny memes, she weaves humor and chaos into her stories, which range from sweet romance to mysteries and even paranormal/fantasy.
When this Hoosier native isn’t at a keyboard, daydreaming through her fingertips, she's likely outside, elbow-deep in snapdragons or spending quality time with her sports-loving family. Kyra also loves to bowl, tries to golf, and is an avid college football fan. Be sure to stop by kyrajacobsbooks.com to learn more about her novels and ways to connect with Kyra on social media.
Social Media Links –
Website: https://kyrajacobsbooks.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KyraJacobsBooks
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KyraJacobsBooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyrajacobs_author/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/Kyra_Jacobs
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Kyra-Jacobs/e/B00E5PIJ04