Second Chances
Detective Jack Campbell needs a fresh start. So he quits his job, packs up his house and his daughter and heads north to Manitoba, Canada. But his daughter, Giselle, is miserable, and will only talk to local shop owner Alicia Featherstone. Her kindness to his daughter does not go unnoticed by Jack, and soon the relationship between father and daughter isnât the only thing Aliciaâs helping to heal. Heâs quickly falling for sweet Alicia. But when her past threatens their future together, can he learn to trust enough to make them a permanent family?
âDo you have kids?â Jack asked.
âIâm single,â Alicia said firmly. Then, lest he think she was angling for a date, she added, âAnd I intend to stay that way.â
âNot exactly what I asked.â His gaze narrowed. âBut I agree with you. I intend to stay single, too.â
âOh?â A hunk like him staying single? In Churchill? Alicia almost laughed.
âI will never allow myself to go through losing someone I care for again.â The absolute loss in Jackâs voice killed her amusement. When he spoke again, his voice was more even. âIf you had kids, youâd understand how they become the focus of your life. Youâll do anything for them. Giselle is my world. Besides her, nothing else matters.â
I do understand what you mean, Jack. I know exactly how you feel. Iâd do anything to keep my son safe. But I donât know where he is, or how to find him.
âSorry, guess Iâm not very good company tonight,â Jack muttered, turning away. The keep-away signs were clearly posted. Only natural, given heâd lost his wife.
Not that Alicia was interested in Jackâ¦
Chapter One
In her rush up the train stairs, Alicia Featherstone smacked headfirst into a massive male chest.
Her breath whooshed out and she reeled back, fighting to recover her balance.
âMy fault.â The manâs voice reminded her of a polar bearâs growl. His fingers closed around her arm, almost dragging her upward into the dim train.
His grasp sparked memories of the darkest moments in her life. Memories that threatened to engulf her.
âPlease,â Alicia gasped, fighting the remembered images while struggling to hold on to the three packages she cradled.
The shadows...his hands... She had to get free. But his strong grip wouldnât release her. She knew the stranger was trying to help, but years of nightmare memories of being attacked couldnât stem the panic clogging her throat.
The sound of her precious packages tumbling to the floor snapped her back to reality. One box bounced down the stairs and landed on the platform. She couldnât afford to lose it, certainly not because of this big man whoâd blocked her way. With anger came clarity.
âLet go of me,â she ordered.
His hand immediately dropped away. The man stepped back as if sheâd burned him. Alicia inhaled, drawing in oxygen to ease the terror of the past.
âAll aboard for Churchill, Manitoba!â
The conductorâs call galvanized Alicia. She dropped what she held and hurried down the steps to retrieve her parcel from the platform. Sheâd barely gained the first step up when the train began moving. Again the manâs massive hands closed over her arms. He hauled her upward until his face was millimeters from hers. His deep blue eyes blazed into hers.
âJumping out like that was a stupid thing to do,â he growled.
âPleaseââ she began, then clamped her mouth closed.
This isnât the past. You arenât fifteen and vulnerable. You donât have to beg.
âRelease me,â she demanded, then wished she hadnât. He was only trying to help; no point in antagonizing him. He might end up as a customer and Alicia needed every buyer she could get to fulfill her dream of opening a second store.
âSorry.â He dropped her arm and held up his hands, backing away.
âThank you. Iâm going to find a seat,â she said firmly as she bent to corral the rest of her packages. One box skittered beyond her reach.
âBy all means.â The man caught the runaway box and laid it on top of the others in her arms without touching her. Then he opened the heavy door, held it and waved her past.