What's hidden in the Winding Stair Mountains of southeastern Oklahoma?Rainey Chapman has three young, troubled boys in her care. When they witness a crime, Rainey's difficult job becomes deadly serious. Until the criminals are caught, she must hide the boys at a secret location known only to Seth Whitman–a small-town cop with a secret of his own.Rainey's never met a man like Seth, but she has met a cop like him–her father, gunned down over ten years ago. She's vowed that she will never fall for a man who puts himself in danger every day. Even if he's become a father figure for the needy boys…and even if he's everything she's ever wanted in a man.
Falling for a woman with kids was never part of Jordan Tanner's plans. His intention was to quickly sell the building he's inherited and pave the way to financial freedom.Yet the moment he encounters Nell Hart–and her niece and nephew–all his goals fly out the window. Something about her zest and her passion leave him a little breathless. More than that, Jordan discovers he simply cannot put two traumatized kids out on the street.So what's he to do? He still wants success and he's not keen on being a landlord. But he also likes the feeling he gets when he's with Nell and the kids. In the end, maybe there isn't a choice after all.
Sasha Archer doesn't have a mother, but she's got one of the best dads around. Now she feels it's time he had a new woman in his life. And she's decided it should be Claire Renquist.She knows that Claire and her mom were best friends growing up–but then something happened and Claire moved away from Dovetail, Maryland. She's finally come home, trying to make a go of it with her llama farm. So that means Claire needs Sasha's dad, Dutch–who happens to be the local vet!But getting over the past seems to be hard for Claire and Dutch. Good thing they have Sasha to bring them together!
Ally Cummings may be the only «normal» one in her family, but her love life is anything but. No sooner does she find a stable, secure, predictable guy than she wants out. She's through with romance until she can figure out what kind of man is right for her.Certainly not her new tenant, Ben Gillard, who is the exact opposite of everything Ally's looking for. Suits him just fine. He's sworn off a social life so he can be a full-time dad to his twelve-year-old-son, Danny. And he doesn't need any more women «organizing» his life, especially not the uptight and prim Ally.It's agreed–platonic friends is as far as this will go. Except it's not just his skill with a sauté pan that's creating the sizzle between them….
This was supposed to be paradiseThat's why Tim Wainwright moved his three children to Williamston, Tennessee, population 123. It was to be a refuge from the tragedy that had fractured their lives, a place where Tim could forget his mistakes.That's what the place meant to Nancy Mayfield. The veterinary technician thought she had finally achieved balance and peace in her life, and had put her past behind her.Except no one and no place is perfect–not even Williamston. But maybe two imperfect people make one whole lot of sense.
Tragedy strikes without warning. Just like love.Nothing, not even the beauty of Montana' s big-sky country, can make up for the one reckless mistake Derrick made twelve years ago. And so he buries himself in raising his son, his only outlet the poignant country songs he writes and plays at the local bar.Until he meets Kara Tillman. Widowed at just twentynine and caring for her mother-in-law, Kara teaches him that grief doesn' t have to be all-consuming. That tragedy can be overcome and wounds healed. That life is about risk…and happiness is worth the stakes. Too bad Kara hasn' t learned that lesson herself.So maybe it' s time for the pupil to become the teacher. Or, in this case, the sexy country singer to show the young widow that love can strike the same person twice.
His daughter' s secretsSince becoming a single father, Mac Edwards has struggled to keep his small family together. But now his custody of his twelve-year-old daughter is threatened by the secrets she' s keeping.His last hopeIn a bitter twist, their new social worker is the one person he can' t trust–Rachel Filmore. Thirteen years ago she was his world…until she deserted him. How can he trust her not to destroy his family? And how can he trust himself to leave the past where it belongs?
His homecoming is bittersweet…for both of them Café owner Maddie Strong is finally ready to take her burgeoning cupcake business to the next level. With the help of handsome businessman Alex Perkins, her future's all mapped out. Until her first love comes home.At seventeen, Maddie adored Nate Barzonni with her whole heart and soul. But when he asked her to elope, she'd said no–she couldn't let him throw away his dream of becoming a doctor. Then he vanished from her life for eleven years. Now the cardiac surgeon has returned to Indian Lake asking for a second chance, and Maddie has to choose between her new life…and the man she never stopped loving.
Groom needed! As proprietor of the Second-Chance bridal salon, Chessie couldn’t exactly avoid thinking about weddings. But her friends’ quest to find her a man had her running for cover. Her safe haven used to be her shop, until renovator Jace invaded her space. Soon Jace found himself wanting to be the only man in Chessie’s life – but he’d walked down the aisle once before and vowed never to do so again.So how could he keep things light with a woman whose business was marriage? Especially once her friends dubbed him the perfect groom-to-be!
The last person she wanted was the only one who could keep her safeJanie Vincent had no use for cops. They’d never done her any favours. But when she uncovers a lead into the disappearance of a girl at the college where she’s a teaching assistant, suddenly Janie’s life depends on the officers of Scorpion Ridge. And one in particular: Sheriff Rafael Salazar.Rafe knows how much destruction a missing-persons case can cause a family, and so to solve this case, he’s determined to stick to Janie like glue. She’s clearly not a fan of the 24/7 surveillance, but he intends to break down her distrust. And maybe they’ll discover that what Janie saw can be the key to healing them both.