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The more you trust, the more you risk…
When plans for a wilderness retreat with her teenage daughter Brooke go awry, Abby Hammond reluctantly pairs up with Brooke’s stepbrother and his dad, Nathan Strom, for the weeklong trek. The only thing Abby has in common with the bad-boy former pro athlete is that their exes cheated with each other. That…and a visceral attraction that’s growing more complicated with every step through the picturesque woods.
Nathan’s wild-card reputation lost him his career and his family. After years of regret, he’s ready to fight for what truly matters—and that includes Abby’s hard-won trust. When Brooke goes missing, Nathan knows he’s her best and only hope of rescue. But the deeper into the rugged mountains they go, the more dangerous the territory will prove—for their safety and for their hearts.
Praise for Jill Sorenson
“Sorenson makes her characters realistic, flawed, and appealing. Deftly handled violent action and red herrings rush this thriller to a believable ending.”
—Publishers Weekly on The Edge of Night
“This goes down as one of the best I’ve ever read. Bar none.”
—New York Times bestselling author Maya Banks on Dangerous to Touch
“Taut with emotion, suspense and danger. Sorenson expertly weaves the two stories into a heart-wrenching conclusion.”
—RT Book Reviews on The Edge of Night
“One of the best books of the year…nonstop, heart-pounding excitement.”
—RT Book Reviews on Stranded with Her Ex, Top Pick! 4.5 stars
“[A] high tension romantic thriller...culminating in a page-turning climax. Despite the mystery, the real tension comes from the emotional relationships, full of explosive sex and terrible secrets.”
—Publishers Weekly on Crash into Me
“It was definitely hot. Sooo hot. Jill Sorenson is my new favorite romantic-suspense author!”
—USA TODAY bestselling author Victoria Dahl on Crash into Me
Backwoods
Jill Sorenson
MILLS & BOON
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To Stacy
Contents
CHAPTER ONE
ABBY’S ANXIETY INCREASED with every mile she drove away from the main road.
She tightened her hands around the steering wheel, trying to ignore the sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. Only twenty minutes had passed since she’d exited the freeway, but it seemed like longer. Her daughter, Brooke, was sitting in the passenger seat. She yawned into her hand, unfazed by the increasing remoteness and looming trees. At dusk, the branches took on menacing shapes, forming an oppressive canopy overhead.
“You didn’t have to come,” Brooke said.
Abby rolled her neck to relieve tension. “I wanted to.”
“Mom.”
Abby studied her daughter’s pretty face. It was hard to believe Brooke was almost nineteen. She was a young woman now, strong and confident. Abby’s heart ached to look at her. “What?”
“You don’t like hiking.”
“I love hiking.”
“Backwoods