solution,” Paige said.
Mike met her gaze, those gray eyes locking on to hers so powerfully that her breath caught. “I’m not looking for long-term. I’m just looking for some help right now while I get my balance. What do you say?”
When I write, I often think about my reader—what she might look like curled up in a comfy chair, sitting on a bus, standing in a long lineup somewhere—and what she might get out of the story I’m writing. If there is one thing I hope you feel at the end of this story, it’s brave! I hope you’ll feel courageous enough to take a risk when it really matters. Love is complicated and oftentimes messy. But it’s always worth it.
I write for Heartwarming and Love Inspired here at Harlequin, and I hope you’ll check out my other books. You’re guaranteed to get sweet romance with a lot of heart!
You can find me on my blog at patriciajohnsromance.com, on Facebook and on Twitter. I’d love to hear from you.
Patricia Johns
To my husband, my very own happily-ever-after. I love you!
Contents
Note to Readers
PAIGE STEDLER WALKED up the front stairs to the Eagle’s Rest Police Department and tugged her coat a little closer. It was a chilly fall morning, and an eddy of wind whipped a pile of leaves against the police station front doors. The police chief had called her in as a special request. Everyone knew that Paige was on stress leave, but this wasn’t exactly related to her job as a Social Services agent. Or so the chief had assured her.
She did feel a lot better than she had three weeks ago when she’d had her fifth panic attack while at work. But Paige wasn’t sure what the chief even wanted from her. Here was hoping it was just a form to sign or something like that. She pulled open the front door and headed into the station’s warmth. The receptionist, Ellen, shot her a smile.
“Paige!” the chief’s voice boomed across the office.
Paige returned Ellen’s smile on her way past and headed toward Chief Simpson’s office in the back. The chief was an older man with a potbelly and a demanding stare that softened when he waved to her. He strode across the bull pen and met her halfway.
“Thanks for coming in, Paige,” he said, lowering his voice.
“No problem.” It was only half a lie. “What can I do for you?”
“We have a situation, and I think you’re the person we need. One of our
