Nate

No one escapes their reputation in a small town, and I'm the poster child for that. Five years ago I earned the title of Darling Creek's spoiled brat, aimless flake, and the guy who stood up one of the town's favorite sweethearts. I've changed, put down roots, and now I run a successful downtown business. And I'm ready to settle down. Too bad the one customer I've pined for—yearned for—is attached to someone else ... until she's not. When passions ignite, I soon learn Meredith's needs run counter to my instinct to be gentle with her. But now that I finally have her, how can I be anything but sweet?

Meredith

As a reporter in a small town, my job is my whole world — until one day my life is turned upside down in a way I'm not prepared for. Unexpectedly, the man who makes me coffee suddenly becomes my support system, my partner, and my passionate protector. We have two problems now. One: he's too careful. He swears he's never leaving my side, but what he doesn't understand is I need him to do things to me ... a certain way. Two: does he understand what it means to take on a girlfriend whose baby isn't his? What will people say?