Their Mended Hearts
Angie Cole
(Cardinal Creek)
Publication date: March 25th 2025
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
He’s a firefighter haunted by tragedy; she’s a nurse who never stopped loving him. Jon and Katie find themselves drawn back together, bound by shared history and the promise of healing and hope.
Jon Clemmons, a devoted firefighter, carries the heavy burden of guilt from losing his sister in a tragic accident. His pain runs deep, and he’s learned to keep others at a distance, afraid to let anyone see his scars.
Katie Deluca, a compassionate nurse, and Jon’s first love, has her own wounds, but she’s never stopped caring for him. When they’re reunited at a family wedding, old sparks reignite, and with them, old hurts that need mending.
As Jon and Katie draw closer, Jon’s troubled past, family secrets, and a volatile temper threaten to unravel the bond between them. Katie’s unwavering love gives him hope, but fears of reliving their painful past linger.
Will they find strength in each other to break free from the grip of old grief, or will their love slip away once more?
EXCERPT:
In the dimly lit living room, memories of Shelly flooded his mind. He could still see her shaking her head in disapproval as they toured the rundown farmhouse he had bought after graduating from the fire academy. With Will by his side, they looked beyond the peeling paint and creaking floorboards and transformed it into a home together. The renovations took nearly a year to complete. He could still see Shelly’s flair for decorating no matter where he turned.
Jon pushed himself off the couch and went to the spacious porch to enjoy the May evening. He settled into one of the two white rocking chairs that Kati and Shelly had refinished for him. It was a comforting familiarity he clung to after Shelly’s death. The porch was a peaceful place for escape and solace. But lately, it seemed empty without Will by his side. They used to spend nights out there, drinking and laughing until they passed out from too much to drink. Ever since Will got engaged, their time together had dwindled to nothing. Jon took a sip of whiskey, savoring the burn as he remembered how things used to be between them. This week was difficult for him—a time he and Will would typically share, drinking to cope with the anniversary of his sister's death. This year, he found himself utterly alone. Since Shelly's passing, he had become merely a shadow of his former self—hollow, burdened by grief, and adrift in a world that seemed dimmer without her vibrant presence. Each day was a struggle against his sorrow, and he often longed for the warmth of her laughter, now just a fading echo in his memory.
Princess, his faithful orange tabby cat, curled up in his lap, purring softly. Since Jon had stopped visiting Will’s ranch and speaking to Kati, he had found comfort in Princess’s non-judgmental presence and constant companionship. He stroked her head, grateful for her unwavering support during this lonely chapter of his life.
He took another sip of the whiskey, and warmth spread through his chest. As he stared at the bottle, he knew deep down that it was time to let go of the Deluca family before they sent
him packing after Will and Anna’s wedding. But for now, he let the familiar comfort of alcohol fill the void in his heart.
Jon scooped up Princess, her soft fur tickling his arm, and carried her into the house. He set her on the floor, and she let out a loud meow, signaling her desire for her evening tuna. Jon reached into the cabinet to grab a pouch of tuna and opened it with one hand while Princess meowed continuously. As he poured the tuna into her favorite bowl, she circled his legs, rubbing against them in excitement. Jon couldn't help but chuckle at her antics and patted her on the head before returning to the living room.
He sank into the sofa. The walls of his living room were decorated with commendations and medals, each a testament to his past victories. However, they were not just symbols of success; they had become a heavy burden that offered no comfort. He was haunted by the unending replay of Shelly’s accident and his failure to save her. The drink in his hand provided his only escape, offering temporary relief from the memories that refused to be tamed.
Growing up, Jon and Shelly faced the cruelty of their abusive father, while their mother endured the worst of his violence. Jon closed his eyes and remembered when he and Shelly huddled in a dark closet, praying their father wouldn’t find them. He could still hear his mother’s cries and pleas for mercy as they hid in that shadowy place. It wasn’t until they met Kati and Will in kindergarten that things started to improve. The Deluca house became their sanctuary, a refuge from the horrors they experienced at home. Will’s father, Robert, treated Jon like a son and taught him that women deserve respect and love above all else—a stark contrast to how his father had treated his mother.
Author Bio:
My journey as a romance author is deeply rooted in my personal experiences of love, loss, and resilience. The profound impact of the losses I have endured, including the passing of my grandparents and my parents, has shaped my perspective on life and love.
My own love story is one of healing and finding joy after heartache, and it mirrors the themes I explore in my novels.
As a survivor of grief and a believer in the power of love, I channel my experiences into crafting stories that resonate with the complexities and triumphs of the human heart. My writing is a testament to the idea that love can emerge from the most unexpected places, offering hope and healing. The one thing that can be learned from grief is that it’s a very personal experience and isn’t the same for every person.
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