Sunlight on Shadows

GENTLE GIANT

Matt Rockland had been eager to meet the owner of the mall's bookstore. He knew that his construction crews had inconvenienced her, and he wanted to smooth things over. But when Matt finally came face-to-face with Miranda Evans, he found her unforgettable. Her honey-colored eyes had the wary look of a wild creature hunted too long and too hard. The woman brought out a protective urge in him, making him want to take her in his arms and shelter her from the world.

Although Miranda found it hard to read Matt's expression through the beard that covered much of his face, there was no mistaking the gentle look in his eyes. She wouldn't have connected gentleness with the giant of a man who supervised huge construction crews, but Matt Rockland was an exception. Had she met him years ago, things might have been different. But no man could understand the trauma she had suffered at the hands of her ex-husband -- or the terror that had chased her here to the Gold Coast of Florida.

Lies, hatred, power games--Miranda had endured them all. She had come here to break away from the past and start her life anew, free of dangerous entanglements. Somehow she would wipe out the image of Matt Rock-land's passionate blue eyes. She would forget the way her skin tingled whenever he brushed past her. And most of all, she would ignore the love that swept through her at the sight of tall, handsome Matt Rockland.