Category: Romance ISBN-10: 1599983931
Type: Fiction
Copyright: Nov 14, 2006
Can a new love heal a wounded heart?
Dr. Jennifer Hunter is so stunned by her past that she’s unable to move on with her life. After losing her young husband and baby son fifteen years ago she’s determined never to marry again. Losing loved ones is just too painful.
A friend introduces Jennifer to Luke Brunsman and suggests she hire him to renovate her antique farmhouse. Instantly attracted to Luke, she refuses the widowed contractor’s help. But after she gets injured working on a fireplace, she gives in.
Luke clearly wants more than a business relationship, and Jennifer guards her heart. His kisses make her yearn for a future once denied her. Luke falls in love with her but finds tearing down the walls in Jennifer’s house is easier than breaking through her protective shell.
When Dr. Hunter’s radio talk show catches the attention of a vengeful arsonist, Luke and Jennifer must overcome the shadows of the past and find the courage to love again.
Excerpt
Jennifer decided to skip the wallpapering and tackle the fireplace in the living room. The previous owner had boarded it up and installed an oil furnace in the room, the only source of heat for the big house.
She removed the boards with no trouble and began cleaning the mortar. Something sharp sticking out of the cement sliced across her hand and, at that very moment, a knock sounded at her front door. No one came all day, but now blood gushed, someone had to show up at her house. Wrapping a clean rag around her palm, she went to answer it.
She opened the door to Luke. Jennifer hid her surprise behind a smile. "Hi. Come in. I have to get the door shut here quickly with this house being hard to heat."
Luke stepped inside. "I brought you mousetraps since your shopping got interrupted last night..." He stopped when he saw Jennifer's bandaged hand. "What happened?"
"I cut it."
"Here, let me look at it."
Luke held her hand gently while he studied the gash. "This looks nasty, it might need stitches. What did you cut it on?"
Maybe she should resent him showing up without calling, but she appreciated Luke stopping by with mousetraps. Okay, she wasn't being completely honest. She liked talking to him. "I'm not sure. I was cleaning the fireplace mortar." She pointed towards the fireplace and Luke walked over to it.
He examined the old bricks, finding a rusty nail. "Have you had a tetanus shot lately?"
She nodded. "I guess I'd better go to the county hospital and see if I need stitches."
"I'll drive you."
"That's okay, you don't have to."
"I want to, and you shouldn't drive with that hand."
When Jennifer returned with a first aid kit, Luke was looking at the high ceiling. "Lowering the ceiling would help heat this room."
She took gauze and tape out of the box. "But in the summer the high ceiling keeps the room cooler."
"Let me be the doctor here." He carefully wrapped her hand.
His fingers were soothing, but she was uncomfortable standing so close to him. Her heartbeat quickened and she remained quiet. Once he finished taping, she felt relieved and quickly left to get her jacket.
Luke took the jacket from her and helped ease the sleeve over her injured hand. Her eyes met his, and she said, "Thanks."
"You don't look like the same woman today." He stared at her long curls dangling on her shoulders. "I like your hair down."
Why did he have to notice her hair? She didn't want him to get personal with how she looked.
In the predawn hours during a solitary ride on her ranch, Montana Freeborn collides with Seth Phoenix, centaur-turned-man and the embodiment of her psychic visions.
