Praise
Praise for New York Times and USA Today bestselling author
ROBYN CARR
âAn intensely satisfying read. By turns humorous and gut-wrenchingly emotional, it wonât soon be forgotten.â
âRT Book Reviews on Paradise Valley
âCarr has hit her stride with this captivating series.â
âLibrary Journal on the Virgin River series
âThe Virgin River books are so compellingâI connected instantly with the characters and just wanted more and more and more.â
â#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber
âRobyn Carr creates strong men, fascinating women and a community youâll want to visit again and again. Who could ask for more?â
âNew York Times bestselling author Sherryl Woods
âA thrilling debut of a series that promises much to come.â
âNew York Times bestselling author Clive Cussler on the Virgin River series
âA warm wonderful book about womenâs friendships, love and family. I adored it!â
âSusan Elizabeth Phillips on The House on Olive Street
Cassie and Ken walked out of the bar together at seven-thirty. In the rapidly descending darkness of a perfect June night, he pulled her into his arms and covered her mouth in a powerful kiss. Wow, she thought. It was a good kissâconsuming and deep. His hands were running up and down her back. Then one slipped around her side, reaching for a breast, and she withdrew. She pushed him away, laughed nervously and said, âHold on, pardner. Getting a little ahead of yourself, arenât you?â
âSorry,â he said. âIâve been looking at you, wondering, you knowâ¦â
âWell, wonder no more, big fellaârest assured I am definitely a girl. Now, donât we have plans? Live music in the park?â
âThatâs right,â he said, laughing. Then, again, âSorry.â
As he walked her to his car, she said, âGirls donât get mad at guys for having romantic ideas. But you do have brakes, I assume?â
âAbsolutely, Cassie.â
âGood. You were moving a little fast for me.â
The car was parked at the far end of the lot and she thought, Ahh, heâs car proud. Heâd rather walk across the lot than risk a dent or scratch from neighboring cars. He opened the door to the passenger side and she slipped in. She immediately pulled on her seat belt while he got in the driverâs side.
He started the car, but didnât put it in gear. Instead, he reached over to her side and began to gently caress her upper arm. He leaned toward her across the console, his eyelids becoming heavy, his mouth slightly open. It was like kiss-on-demand, but at least he was moving more slowly, giving her time, waiting for her to respond. She met his lips for a sweet, short kiss. He moved over her mouth with precision, but when she pulled away from his mouth, laughing nervously again, he grabbed her upper arms in his strong grip. âCassie,â he said in a breath. âWhat do you say we rethink the music? Maybe skip it?â
âI donât think so. I was looking forward to it,â she said, her heart rate speeding up a little. She started to smell an ill wind.
âCome on,â he begged. âThink about it. You wonât be sorryâ¦â
She did a quick memory check. Sheâd been out for happy hour with friends from work when she met him. Theyâd talked for a long time. She was an emergency room nurse, he was a paramedicâtheyâd never met before but she did a lot of business with the fire department and had come to think of them as the good guys. He had been polite, attentive, interested. He was a nicelooking guy with a sense of humor. Sheâd taken his cell phone number and agreed to meet him again, this time for a cup of coffee. Thatâs how you play safe dating. Heâd been a gentleman, walking her to her car after coffee and saying goodbye with a brief, platonic hug. Then sheâd given him her cell phone number. So, after a few getting-to-know-you conversations, sheâd accepted a date for live music in the park. She still hadnât let him pick her up; theyâd agreed to meet at a bar because finding each other in a park full of people could be difficult.
His behavior now took her by surprise. Sheâd have to back him down quick. Sheâd been attracted to him, but no way was she ready to take this to the next level.
âI donât have to think about it,â she said, her palms pressed firmly against his chest. âI was looking forward to some music. Itâs a beautiful night. And what you apparently have in mind is not on the agenda in the parking lot of theââ
Her words were cut off as he slipped a big hand around the back of her head and pulled her, roughly, onto his mouth. She pushed at him, making unintelligible sounds beneath his lips, but he was actually