Burning Bridges (Beech Grove) Read online

  He wasn’t. Sure, he was older than me, but by no means was he on his way toward Beech Grove’s retirement home. If I would have guessed, he was in his forties, and the early ones at that. Probably only six to eight years older than my thirty-six.

  “Mom, Mr. Tucker needs help on a project, and I told him you would probably love to help.”

  “What?” My cheeks burned. Geez, this kid. He liked to volunteer me out right and left. Especially this year and with Mr. Tucker.

  “It would help a lot. I have some stuff I need to get together in the classroom, but I understand if you can’t.”

  “Tim said his mom might be able to help,” Jack added. I bet she would. Tim’s mom was not subtle with how she volunteered her services to Mr. Tucker and any of the other male teachers in the school.

  “He did,” Chase repeated and mouthed help to me. My cheeks flared up, and something about his gaze softened sexily as I bit the inside of my lip to stop myself from laughing out loud.

  “When do you need me?” Damn. Talk about asking a loaded question. His eyes glittered as if he followed the same line of thinking before he smirked and responded.

  “When can I have you?” he inquired, and I was tempted to answer, ‘Anytime and twice on Sundays.’

  “Umm…” I coughed to clear my head from the dirty innuendo that was choking me. “I can help today.”

  “I gotta run a couple of errands. Mind if we meet back up in say, three hours?” he suggested, and I narrowed my eyes.

  “Will the office still be open?” I asked, mentally trying to figure out how to shift our routine around at home and what was on the boys’ schedule for tonight.

  “They might. But worst case, I have a key. I’ll get us in.”

  “What about baseball practice, Mom?” Jim reminded me, and I winced. Baseball!

  “Shit, I mean crap, uh, dang, I’m so sorry.” I shook my head. I was so flustered at the idea of being alone with him in his classroom, I was swearing in front of the kids and their teacher. Great job, Kens! “I forgot we have baseball practice.”

  “Aunt Lena said she can take us,” Jack shared, and I turned to look at him. His bright blue eyes were looking right at me as he showed me my phone.

  “What?”

  “I texted and asked her. She said she can take us,” he explained gallantly, and I sighed. Of course, my sister would. She had seen Mr. Tucker more than once and swore up and down he seemed interested in me. I just didn’t see it. He was nice to everyone.

  “Well, I guess you found yourself a helper.”

  “Great.” His voice deepened. “I’ll bring us dinner.” His eyes sparkled, and I cleared my throat.

  “Oh, you don’t have to—”

  “I want to. Least I can do.”

  “Oh, okay.” I shrugged. It didn’t mean anything. It was just dinner. Like the way you bought pizza to help your buddies when they helped you move.

  “It’s a date, then.” He winked, catching me off guard.

  “Da-date,” I found myself stuttering, but he didn’t acknowledge me. He simply waved before turning around.

  Damn, I hated to see him leave, but he was a sight to watch go.

  “Mom, let’s go!” Jim whined, and I shook my head.

  Date? He was joking. Such a kidder…

  Right?

  Available now!

  Free on Kindle Unlimited!

  Check out the Right Men Series

  LIE

  Box office sensation, Marcus Wright is ready to take on the role of director. Romance author and single mom, Grace Rivera, is shocked when the sexiest man alive knocks on her door with the intent to bring her book to life.

  He is willing to do anything to get what he wants, even use his charms on the beautiful, curvy woman standing in his way. Only it doesn’t take long for the shy woman to unknowingly embed herself under his skin.

  In a world where one plays make believe and the other writes it, will they determine everything between them is a LIE? Or will they be able to LIE in one another’s arms when the truth comes out?

  STEAL

  Never steal. But if you must steal, steal away from bad company.

  Divorced police detective, Bryan Wright, let his life revolve around nothing but work after his marriage all but imploded. Now he is ready to hit play on living again; as long as love and commitment are off the table. But the curvy blond goddess who happens to be his new roommate cracks the veneer of his walls with her sassy mouth and shy smiles.

  ER nurse, Valerie Duncan, isn’t one to trust easily. When she discovers she has a sinfully handsome new roomie, she is more than cautious. After all, nothing good can come out of being around a man who drips testosterone and masculinity with every breath he takes.

  Heat and desire collide, breaching their walls, leaving each of them vulnerable to love, though they stubbornly deny it. When the past spills into the present, will they admit to stealing each other’s heart? Will they be brave enough to steal away from the bad company that comes knocking at their door?

  CHEAT

  Coming 2018

  Never cheat. But if you must cheat, cheat death.

  Veteran Army Medic Garrett Wright has cheated death more than once. Through the horrors of war, he witnessed the darkness and ugliness of humanity, and let it consume him from the inside out.

  Stefanie Banks knows all too well how dark and ugly the world can be. She lives her life determined to make every moment better than the last for her and those around her.

  In a dive bar in the middle of nowhere, Stefanie and Garrett collide. Smartass against grouch face off, sunshine versus darkness, face off and sparks fly.

  Can a war-torn soul and one who never felt loved trust one another enough to cheat the curveballs life throws at them and find love at the end?

  About the author

  Mayra Statham resides in Southern California with her paramedic hubby and three kids. When she isn’t busy writing or hanging out with family, you can usually find her hidden behind a romance novel with a highly caffeinated drink in her hand.

  She loved to hear from her readers! [email protected] or follow her on her social media!

  Other Books by Mayra Statham

  Right Men Series

  LIE

  STEAL

  CHEAT- coming 2018

  Never Too Late Series

  Longing for You

  Wishing for You

  Lucky for you

  Six Degrees Series

  Crown’s Chance at Love

  Etched in Stone

  Carried Away

  Davenport Harbor

  Beech Grove Series

  Donut Tucker Out

  Burning Bridges

  Knoxed Up -Coming July 2018

  More than a Knight - Coming October 2018

  Quite Frankly -Coming November 2018

  Standalones

  Already Home

  Something Worth Saving

  Cookies & Kismet

  Zaiden- A Scrooged Christmas