With humor and insight, #1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr explores letting go of the pastâand finding something worth building a future on
SINGLE DAD AND THUNDER POINTâS DEPUTY sheriff âMacâ McCain has worked hard to keep his town safe and his daughter happy. Now heâs found his own happiness with Gina James. The longtime friends have always shared the challenges and rewards of raising their adolescent daughters. With an unexpected romance growing between them, theyâre feeling like teenagers themselvesâsuddenly they canât get enough of one another.
And just when things are really taking off, their lives are suddenly thrown into chaos. When Macâs long-lost ex-wife shows up in town, drama takes on a whole new meaning. Mac and Gina know theyâre meant to be together, but can their newfound love withstand the pressure?
Praise for #1 New York Times bestselling author
and USA TODAY bestselling author
âThis book is an utter delight.â
âRT Book Reviews on Moonlight Road
âStrong conflict, humor and well-written characters
are Carrâs calling cards, and theyâre all present here....You wonât want to put this one down.â âRT Book Reviews on Angelâs Peak
âThis story has everything: a courageous,
outspoken heroine, a to-die-for hero and a plot that will touch readersâ hearts on several different levels. Truly excellent.â âRT Book Reviews on Forbidden Falls
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 compellingâ
I connected instantly with the characters and just wanted more and more and more.â â#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber
One
It was a warm, sunny afternoon in early April, a rarity on the Oregon coast at this time of year. The frequent spring rainstorms meant that the beautiful wildflowersâthe best in the countryâwere on their way. Hank Cooper sat out on the deck of Ben & Cooperâs Bar in his white T-shirt and jeans, his feet propped up on the deck rail. Hamlet, Sarahâs harlequin Great Dane, sat beside him, watching the sea, his ears perking up when a person, a boat or bird caught his eye. Cooper was enjoying a heavily creamed coffee and watching his lovely Sarah Dupre paddleboarding out on the bay. She wore the wet suitâshort sleeves, knee-lengthâheâd given her for Christmas. It kept her warm even though the water hadnât warmed up yet; it was icy cold. The Pacific was always cold, except maybe down San Diego way. But Sarah was an expert; she rarely got her feet wet.
The way that wet suit hugged her bodyâit was like art. She had incredibly strong legs, a perfect round tush, breasts about the size of his palms. Sheâd been born in a coastal town and was probably as comfortable on the water as she was on the land or in the skyâdiver, swimmer, surfer, helicopter pilot.
Cooper and Ham had been watching Sarah for an hour; sheâd gone all the way out to the mouth of the bay and back. She was finally coming in, just ahead of the fishing boats headed home to the marina.
This life was the furthest thing from what Cooper had ever envisioned for himself. He had come to Thunder Point last October to look into the death of a good friend, Ben Bailey. To his surprise he had inherited what was Benâs falling-down bait shop and bar. For lack of a better idea he renovated the place, turning it into a first-class beach bar, and had found himself a new home. He also found a woman in Thunder Point, another surprise he hadnât been looking for. After all the women in his life, short- or long-term, Sarah was everything heâd been waiting for.
He had officially opened the beach barâminus the baitâin late February. Now, as the proprietor, there was plenty of time to visit with folks from town, let the gentle lapping of the bay soothe him, watch his woman on her board, gently gliding across the calm water between the huge offshore boulders in the bay. Cooper had a farmerâs tan, stronger shoulders from lifting and hauling bar supplies and a lot of new friends when heâd always considered himself a solitary kind of guy.
Sarah leaned her board and paddle against the dock and came up the stairs. When she reached the deck, Cooper tossed her a towel and she dried off her feet, glad of the warm sunshine.
âWhat have you been up to?â Sarah asked.
âAbsolutely nothing. Just watching my mermaid.â
She laughed. âDid Hamlet behave himself?â Hearing his name, the huge dog got up and walked over to Sarah.