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One brave step at a time
Lieutenant Andrea Stuart survived the war-zone attack that took her fiancé. A therapy dog and a cabin in Covenant Falls are all the risks the former military nurse is willing to take anymore. But as Andy’s drawn into writing the history of the small town, she’s also drawn to Nate Rowland.
As rugged as he is jaded, Nate’s committed to helping fellow veterans—and avoiding a new relationship. Keeping her distance might be smart, but it’s hard to stay away when Andy sees that Nate has a few scars of his own. Together they might find a path toward healing...and so much more.
“You’re so pretty.”
“You’re not bad, either,” Andy admitted in a wry voice.
Nate chuckled. “You’re not very good at compliments, are you?”
“I’ve been told that.”
He realized they were standing there, lost in each other’s gazes, and making ridiculous small talk when her eyes were saying something else, and he imagined his were doing the same.
He reached out and took her right hand in his. Her fingers were soft although he felt the strength in them. They would have to be strong and supple and efficient to work in an army hospital, especially a forward base. Casualties often came in multiples, and they were usually critical.
Then he took her left one. The fingers were stiff and barely managed to curl slightly along his. His fingers rubbed the long scar on the back of her hand. She tried to pull away, but he pulled her hand up to his lips.
“It’s ugly,” she said.
“I think it’s beautiful. Just like everything about you.”
I am so delighted to return to magical Covenant Falls, where wounded veterans find a future again with the help of bighearted townspeople and what must be a cupid flying around a certain cabin. That cupid often comes disguised as a dog, in this story an Australian shepherd named Joseph.
I had not intended a miniseries when I wrote my first Home to Covenant Falls book, but the characters in that book wouldn’t leave me alone. They wanted their own stories and happy-ever-afters.
In this instance, Nate was flagging me down. He wasn’t aware of doing it. After a particularly bad marriage, he has sworn off romance. He doesn’t believe in it, even if his two close friends have fallen off the happy bachelorhood wagon. He does not intend to be the next, even when the incoming vet turns out to be a very pretty army nurse haunted by being the only survivor of a terrorist attack that killed her surgical team, including her fiancé.
As in previous cases, it takes a town to heal wounded hearts, this time with the assistance of two wayward camels.
Enjoy!
Patricia Potter
A Soldier’s Journey
Patricia Potter
PATRICIA POTTER is a bestselling and award-winning author of more than sixty books. Her Western romances and romantic suspense novels have received numerous awards, including RT Book Reviews’ Storyteller of the Year, its Career Achievement award for Western Historical Romance and Best Hero of the Year. She is a seven-time RITA® Award finalist for RWA and a three-time MAGGIE® Award winner. She is a past president of Romance Writers of America. Patricia is also a passionate animal lover, which is reflected in many of her books but never more so than in her Home to Covenant Falls miniseries. She believes curiosity is the most important trait of any writer, and she’s often led far astray when researching a subject.
Dedicated to Piya Campana, my editor, who seems to know magical ways of her own to bring out the best of every book.
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