Almost seven years after losing her husband in Iraq, Hannah Abbott Guthrie isn’t sure she’s ready—or able—to move on, but the attentions of a lifelong friend are making her think about it for the first time. The memory of the sweet kiss she shared with Nolan Roberts hasn’t strayed far from her thoughts, but she also fears that pursuing something with him would mean betraying her husband’s memory.

Nolan has loved Hannah for years, but he’d been giving her the space she needed to heal from her devastating loss. Now, when an opportunity arises to show her how he feels, Nolan can’t resist, but he knows earning her love will take more than a kiss. Somehow he has to prove to Hannah that finding love twice in a lifetime is possible—and well worth risking her heart.

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Hannah had just settled into her studio to attempt some work for the first time in days when her brother Wade came in. Apparently, he hadn’t gotten the memo about the new knocking rules. “Hey,” Hannah said, pleased to see the most elusive of the Abbott siblings. His long dark blond hair was secured with a leather tie, and even though it was just barely spring, he wore a hoodie over a thermal shirt along with cargo shorts and sandals. While he most closely resembled Will, his face was more angular but no less handsome. “What brings you by?”

He bent to kiss her upturned cheek. “I was away the other night when Homer died. I just heard when I got back to town, so I came right over. Are you doing okay?”

“I miss him, but he was ready to see Caleb again.”

Wade’s lips tightened as he nodded, keeping his focus on the beads on her worktable. The emotional wallop of Caleb’s death still caught all of them off guard from time to time, and Wade was no different. He’d adored Caleb in his own quiet way and had been as devastated by his loss as the rest of their family.
“So you said you were away. Somewhere fun I hope.”

“Just down in Rutland for a few days.”

“What’s down there?”

“Some friends.”

“Female friends?” Hannah asked in a teasing tone.

Wade shrugged and continued to stare at the beads. He was always quiet and intense, but it didn’t require much insight to see that something was troubling him.
“What’s wrong, Wade?”

“Nothing. You’ve got enough going on. You don’t need to be taking on other people’s crap, too.”

“If you’re upset about something, that’s not crap. I’d be happy to listen if you need to talk.”

He wanted to. As she abandoned her stool, and took him by the hand, she could see that he wanted to very badly. She led him to the small sofa she kept in her studio and sat next to him.

Wade leaned forward, his chin propped on his hands.

Watching him, Hannah became more concerned with every minute that passed in silence.

“There’s a woman,” he finally said. “A very special woman.”

“How did you meet her?”

“At a yoga retreat.”

Despite the razzing from his brothers, Wade had been into yoga for years as part of his health-conscious lifestyle. “What’s her name? “

“Mia.” He seemed a million miles away. “We have a lot in common. She’s vegan like me, into fitness and yoga and rock climbing. All the things I love.”

“Sounds like she’s perfect for you.”

“Yeah.”

“So what’s the problem?”

“She’s married.”

Hannah gasped in shock. “Oh, Wade! And you’re seeing her anyway?”

“Not like that. Just as friends.” He swallowed hard and seemed to be grappling with his emotions. “I think he’s abusing her, but I can’t prove it, and she won’t talk about it.”