Suspicious of her sudden appearance at his grandmother's request, Sage decided this city girl was just like the ex-wife who'd abandoned him and their young son for the bright lights. But Victoria breathed a fresh vitality into the sleepy little town -- and Sage was hopelessly seduced by her warmth and sweet energy. Victoria, who'd grown up all alone, adored her new surroundings and blossomed in the heat of Sage's passionate caresses. Could life at the Lazy L restore the childhood dreams she'd put away forever -- dreams of belonging, of being loved by a man who'd never let her go?

    But ambition outweighed the strength of that youthful passion and they parted.Chris left for Europe to take up a foreign diplomatic post, and Rachel became a successful pediatrician in Washington. Now Chris was back, and their love, they discovered, had somehow survived.Even so, as adults they knew their feelings for each other could not survive another brief affair. And Rachel was afraid that was all Chris would ever offer her.

    In fact, he went all out in his pursuit of her. Kate was thrilled. Nothing, it seemed, could mar the happiness they'd found together....