Jake's Biggest Risk

Could they be a picture-perfect family?

Daredevil photographer Jake Hollister has never stayed in one place. But after an injury, he has no choice. No more photographing polar bears in the Arctic or documenting the wonders of the world—he’s in small-town Washington State for at least a year. A year with his wholesome, beautiful landlady, Hannah Nolan, and her young son.

The longer Jake stays, the more he’s drawn to Hannah. She’s passionate about her community and her family, things Jake has never experienced. And suddenly, because of her, these things are starting to appeal to him. Jake has always been a risk-taker—maybe now it’s time to take a risk on love.

“How much time have you spent in the U.S.?” Hannah asked as she swept.

“Almost none,” Jake admitted. “I have a small work studio in Costa Rica, but I’m hardly ever there, either.”

Lord. Hannah couldn’t imagine living like that, with no real home, just a suitcase.

“Traveling can be fun, but I’m mostly a homebody,” she said, raising her chin and practically daring him to comment.

“Yeah, I figured. The domestic stuff is okay, but home, marriage, kids—those things would end my career.”

Hannah stared. “That isn’t the first time you’ve mentioned that, and it’s starting to sound like a warning. I don’t need to be told to keep my distance. If I get married again, it’s going to be to someone stable and caring who can put me and my son first. It certainly won’t be to a man with one foot out the door and a habit of risking his neck. So save your warnings. I’m not interested.”

Hannah began putting cups in the dishwasher, thinking about the mixed emotions on Jake’s face…emotions too complicated to fathom. One thing was quite clear, however—Jake Hollister didn’t understand people who wanted a home.

Dear Reader,

Please note that the heroine’s home town, and the nearby lake and mountain in Jake’s Biggest Risk are fictional, set around very real locations in the State of Washington.

When I was growing up, my father usually had two or three cameras hanging around his neck. One of our family jokes is “Just a little closer to the edge.” Why? Dad would frequently pose us on places like giant logs or an ocean bluff to get the desired photo. We were never in danger, but I’m certain my mother had a few nervous moments.

Some people will do anything for a great picture, and my hero in Jake’s Biggest Risk is that kind of photographer. Jake Hollister has no intention of giving up his roving, adventure-filled life, even after being injured in a plane crash. Enter Hannah Nolan, a divorced mother, determined not to fall in love with a footloose risk-taker with commitment issues. Jake and Hannah have one problem...hearts don’t always listen to what the brain is telling them.

Instead of a classic movie alert, I recommend The National Parks, America‘s Best Idea, a 2009 documentary by Ken Burns. The six-part series uses new and historical footage to provide terrific views of U.S. national parks. Three cheers for public television!

I hope you enjoy this third book in my Those Hollister Boys series. I love to hear from readers and can be contacted c/o Mills & Boon Books, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, ON M3B 3K9, Canada.

Wishing you all the best,

Julianna Morris

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JULIANNA MORRIS has an offbeat sense of humor that frequently gets her in trouble. Her interests range from oceanography and photography to traveling, painting, walking and reading. Julianna also loves cats of all shapes and sizes. Her family’s feline companion is named Merlin, and he’s currently a little grumpy from being on a diet. The family is discussing adding another dog to their menagerie just to make him happy (Merlin is a feline anomaly—he enjoys canine companions).

For my father, who took thousands of pictures over the years, visually preserving our childhood with love and talent. I miss you so much.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dedication

PROLOGUE

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

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

EXTRACT

Copyright

PROLOGUE

JAKE HOLLISTER PEERED above a crest of snow, spotted his quarry and began taking pictures of the polar bear and her cubs. He was barely aware of the numbing cold.

“You’re out of your frigging mind,” whispered his assistant, using the sotto voce they’d perfected over the years they had worked together.

“That is entirely a matter of opinion.”

“Fine. It’s my opinion. We’re miles from nowhere. It’s the time of year when nobody is crazy enough be out here except Inupiat and scientists. And that money-grubbing bastard pilot is probably drunk. Oh, and did I mention? We’re thirty feet from the largest bear on the planet, hiding behind a chunk of ice the size of my girlfriend’s ass.”