Mallory Parker is convinced her future lies way beyond the streets of the small home town that stole her mother's hopes and dreams. As soon as she saves enough money at her new job, she's going to get out and get a life, and no one can tempt her to stay—until she meets a man with haunted eyes and no smile.

Army veteran Levi Jenkins likes working in the background as a maintenance man at Whispering Pines Lodge. It gives him the peace his soul craves. The last thing he wants is the distraction of a woman who charms his heart while teaching him to smile again. Or maybe, that's exactly what he needs.

Levi fears loving her and losing her would be too much to endure—and yet, asking Mallory to stay could destroy the very essence that makes her so special. If either of them are to be happy, he must find the courage to set her free.

EXCERPT:

He dipped his roller into the paint and started another swath. "It sounds like it's going to be great. I can't believe you've managed to set all this stuff up in less than a month."

"I can barely believe it myself," she agreed. "I just keep praying it's not too cold, or rainy."

"And no snowstorm."

"From your lips to God's ears. I mean, we'd be able to squeeze into the barns and arena if we had to, but it'd definitely be a tight squeeze. Plus, the decorations wouldn't look near as nice."

He smiled toward the ceiling at the pride and excitement in her voice. Sounded like she really enjoyed the challenge of pulling everything together.

"Hey—watch it."

He glanced down to see her holding out her arm. She had Hot Spring Stones paint freckles dotting her skin and purple bandana. With her hair in those pig-tails, he couldn't help but think how damn cute she looked.

"What makes you think those are from me?"

"Uh, because I just felt them drop?" With one finger, she smeared the wet paint on her forearm to prove it. "And your roller is dripping."

He lifted his gaze. So it was. "Whoops. I guess I got a little too much on it."

"Ya think?"

His attention dropped back to her just as she flicked her brush at him. Paint splattered on a vertical diagonal across his shirt and jeans. He even felt a couple drops hit his cheek.

"Whoops." Her mimic was accompanied by a shit-eating grin.

He let it go and went back to work—until she let down her guard and turned her back. Then he lowered his arms to roll the wet nap down the middle of her back. She shrieked in laughing outrage, spine arched as she scrambled to get out of reach.

Spinning around, she lifted her wet paint brush, brandishing it like a knife. "Oh, you're gonna to pay for that."

"Go ahead," he challenged as he set his roller aside. "Take your best shot."

He was grinning like a fool and it felt damn good.

Another flick of the brush made him jerk his arms up in defense. From behind his forearms, he saw her lunge forward. A quick grab secured her wrist with the paint brush and his other arm stole around her waist to spin her until her back was against the wall. He pinned her in place with his body, and held her arms captive on either side of her head.

"Good lord," she exclaimed on a laugh. "You're fast."

"Never forget a military man's training. Snap decisions, faster reflexes."

Details of her body were beginning to register, especially since she made no effort to gain release. It hadn't been much of a struggle, yet she seemed to be having trouble catching her breath. Hell, with the way his heart pounded, his chest was tight with the effort to draw oxygen in.

"So, engaging you in hand to hand combat would be a...