Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.

      —Psalms 119:105

      To Cheryl McGee and Jolene Haskins—

      extraordinary women, writers and friends. The writingchicks rule.

      Contents

      Chapter One

      Chapter Two

      Chapter Three

      Chapter Four

      Chapter Five

      Chapter Six

      Chapter Seven

      Chapter Eight

      Chapter Nine

      Chapter Ten

      Chapter Eleven

      Chapter Twelve

      Chapter Thirteen

      Chapter Fourteen

      Chapter Fifteen

      Letter to Reader

      Chapter One

      “Noah!”

      She was in his arms the second he’d stepped away from the crowded gate. Noah Ashton couldn’t get over it. His little sister, Hope, married and glowing, flung her arms around his neck, squeezed tight and then stepped back to look him over.

      Her brows furrowed and her mouth pursed downward as she scanned him from head to toe. Noah liked that about Hope, that she fussed over him. Not that he needed it and not that it made a bit of difference. She always had the same complaints when it came to his lifestyle.

      “Do I meet with your approval?”

      “You most certainly do not, and you know it, mister.” She scowled, eyes flashing. “You look like death warmed over.”

      “I’m just tired, that’s all. Long day, long night, long flight.” Noah brushed aside her concern with a wave of one hand. “I’m good as gold.”

      “Gold is a lifeless mineral.”

      “Ah, but it’s of great value.”

      “You know what I mean.” She slipped her slim arm around his, steering him down the small breeze-way in the tiny Montana airport. “You work too hard. Our grandmother is worried about you.”

      “Nanna hasn’t seen me since your wedding. For all she knows, I’m still as good-looking as ever.”

      “Good-looking?” Hope’s smile dazzled, teasing him right back. “There is something wrong with you, brother dear. You’re delusional.”

      “Hey, women tell me I’m handsome all the time.”

      “What kind of women have you been hanging around? They obviously have terrible taste when it comes to men.” Her dark eyes sparkled with humor.

      Hope loved teasing him, he knew it, but he was a good guy. Did he deserve being hassled? “Hey, wait a minute. Not five minutes off that plane and you’re torturing me. I’m a billionaire. I don’t need to put up with this.”

      “You’re only getting what you deserve.” She winked at him. “You’ve hardly spoken to me since my wedding. I’ve been busy, but never too busy to talk with you.”

      “I’ve been overburdened with this takeover, and I figured being a newlywed, you needed time with your husband.” Noah shrugged, not sure how to feel about his sister’s decision to marry. Good luck in marriage genes just didn’t run in their family. “Are you doing all right? Married life agrees with you?”

      “It sure does. Why, are you thinking about trying it?”

      “Not in this lifetime.” Noah swung his carry-on over his shoulder, steering Hope toward baggage claim. “I want you to be happy—don’t get me wrong—but after watching our parents year in and year out, I still can’t believe you’re giving marriage a try.”

      “I’m not giving it a try. I’m in for life. And don’t give me that look. Not every marriage was like our parents’.” She led the way through the doors and into the crisp weather. “I never thought I could be so blessed.”

      She did look happy. She sparkled when she smiled. It was as if she’d found her heart’s desire. Now there was a concept—the words happy and married in the same thought.

      Remembering the chaos of his childhood, Noah shivered. If true love were possible, it had to be a rare occurrence—like a total eclipse of the sun.

      Great that his sister was happy as a newlywed, but he wasn’t about to be led astray from the path he’d chosen—a single, unattached bachelor’s life. He wasn’t about to wish there could be a woman out there who would love him just the way he was.

      “Nanna is so excited you’ve come,” Hope told him after he’d grabbed his luggage, and when they were weaving between cars in the parking lot. “It means so much to her that you’ll be at the party tonight.”

      “I wouldn’t miss it—you know that.” Tenderness filled his chest at the thought of their grandmother. “How’s she doing?”

      “Fantastic.” Hope pressed her remote key chain and the side door on her minivan slid open. “Getting married at her stage in life is an exciting event. She wants to make sure she does it right.”

      “And the engagement party is the kick-off event?”

      “It’s a celebration, Noah, not a football game.” Hope stole his briefcase from him and set it on the floor of her van. “Tell me it isn’t so, that you didn’t bring work.”

      “Of course I did. You know I have to. I have a company to keep afloat while I’m here.”

      “Haven’t you ever heard of a vacation? You know, where you leave your desk and phone behind and go someplace and enjoy recreation?”

      “I’ve heard of it. Never tried it myself. Could be addictive and destroy my carefully guarded work ethic.”

      “No wonder you look like death warmed over. You really don’t look well.”

      She’d hit a nerve, but he didn’t want her to know that. Whatever his problems were, they were his. That’s the way he was made—he could