LITMIR.BIZ

      ABOUT THE AUTHOR

      For the past eleven years Cathy McDavid has been juggling a family, a job and writing, and has been doing pretty well at it except for the cooking and housecleaning part. Mother of boy and girl teenage twins, she manages the near impossible by working every day with her husband of twenty years at their commercial construction company. They survive by not bringing work home and not bringing home to the office. A mutual love of all things Western also helps. Horses and ranch animals have been a part of Cathy’s life since she moved to Arizona as a child and asked her mother for riding lessons. She can hardly remember a time when she couldn’t walk outside and pet a soft, velvety nose (or beak, or snout) whenever the mood struck. You can visit her Web site at www.cathymcdavid.com.

      To Clay and Caitlin, my own precious babies,

       who aren’t so little anymore. I love you to pieces.

      Contents

      Chapter One

      Chapter Two

      Chapter Three

      Chapter Four

      Chapter Five

      Chapter Six

      Chapter Seven

      Chapter Eight

      Chapter Nine

      Chapter Ten

      Chapter Eleven

      Chapter Twelve

      Chapter Thirteen

      Chapter Fourteen

      Epilogue

      Chapter One

      Lilly Russo wasn’t looking forward to meeting with the man who’d so unceremoniously dumped her a mere three weeks ago. She’d do it, however, and just about anything else for the clients of Horizon Adult Day Care Center. They were too deserving, too much in need, too dear to her to lose out on a golden opportunity because of her pride.

      “Mr. Tucker will be with you in a few minutes.”

      “Thank you.”

      If his assistant knew that her boss and Lilly had recently engaged in a brief affair, she gave no indication.

      “Would you care for coffee or water while you wait?”

      “I’m fine, thank you.”

      Lilly attempted a smile and sat on the closest piece of furniture, which happened to be an overstuffed couch, and instantly sank like a stone into its soft cushions. She should have chosen the chair by the window instead. Then she would’ve been able to stand gracefully when the assistant or, worse, Jake Tucker himself came to collect her for their appointment.

      While she waited, she studied the comfortable and charmingly appointed lobby. The rustic, western flavor of the mountain guest resort was as apparent here as everywhere else on the ranch. Green checked curtains framed large picture windows. Heavy pine furniture, much of it antique, sat on polished hardwood floors covered by colorful area rugs. Paintings depicting nature scenes and wild animals indigenous to Arizona’s southern rim country hung on the walls.

      Lilly had been acquainted with Jake Tucker—manager of Bear Creek Ranch and landlord of the mini mall where the day-care center was located—for almost two years. They’d first met here in his office, when she’d become the day care’s new administrator and her predecessor had introduced her to Jake. Since then she’d visited the ranch only a few times. But at the Labor Day cookout nine weeks ago, Jake had suddenly taken notice of her and asked her on a date.

      If Lilly knew then what she did now, she’d have saved herself a heap of heartache and refused his invitation.

      The assistant appeared in Lilly’s line of vision. “Mr. Tucker will see you now.”

      She pushed out of the couch, wobbling only once, much to her relief. If it hadn’t been so important to make a businesslike impression on Jake, she’d have worn something other than a slim-fitting suit and high-heeled pumps. He wouldn’t guess by looking at her how much his abrupt breakup had hurt. Not if she could help it.

      “Follow me, please.” Jake’s assistant led Lilly behind the busy front desk to an open office door. She gestured for Lilly to enter before discreetly moving aside.

      The moment of truth had arrived.

      Mentally rehearsing her pitch, Lilly stepped into Jake’s

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