(MSRP: 13.9900)
A specialized placement schedule and self-imposed vow of celibacy keeps ER nurse, Gina Montgomery, from getting too close to anyone. Music is her only solace and release from a past laced with abuse. But when that music draws the attention of a handsome rodeo bareback rider, her chosen solitary life—not to mention her vow—gets tested to the limits.
Holt Reynolds let his younger sister down when she needed him most. With the similarities to his sister far too evident in Gina, he can’t get the woman out of his head, or her poignant music out of his heart. But how can he find a way to free her bridled heart before the past resurfaces to destroy their one chance at happiness?
(Pages 284) Spicy
ISBN: 1-60154-874-5
Excerpt:
She peered into his smiling face.
He waited so patiently for her to answer. By this time, most men had given up on her and moved on to someone else. She searched his eyes, surprised to find genuine interest.
She took a deep breath and hoped she wasn’t going to regret divulging more. “I see so many children in the ER rooms who…” She turned her head and chewed on her cuticle. When they arrived needing her care, she put aside her emotions and did the job, but afterward, she always broke down. She knew how it felt to grow up feeling different. How could a parent do that to a child?
He placed his hand over her other one on the table. “It’s okay, you don’t have to tell me. I can see their plight affects you.” He squeezed. “I could tell when you were playing the piano; your heart is filled with sorrow.”
Gina stared into his eyes. The sincerity of his words and the acceptance of her pain, even though he thought it was all for others made her want to weep. She hadn’t had anyone care about her in so long, she didn’t know how to act.
Jerking her hand out from under his, she stood. “I have to go.”
“Wait.” He snagged her hand as she grabbed her coat from the back of the chair. “Do you have a phone number?”
He held her firm but gentle. Warmth spiraled up her arm and settled in her chest. Why didn’t she feel frightened or invaded by this man? She shook her head. She didn’t want to see him again. If she did, it would be hard to remain faithful to her vow. He’d started to seep into the empty cracks created over the years.
