"I absolutely love Alicia Hunter Pace's books. They have such a quirky sweetness, and the characters always ring true and make me cry!" --Linda Howard

Welcome to Merritt, Alabama, where summers are lazy, tea is sweet, and guests are always welcome...

Luke Avery needs a wife to help raise his motherless three-year old. Candy shop owner Lanie Heaven desires a child but can never have her own. When Luke moves into the apartment above Lanie's shop, she can't help falling for the sexy single dad and his sweet little girl.

Luke's not planning to fall in love ever again - but easing the ache of loneliness with pretty Lanie isn't falling in love. Still, proposing to her could solve all his problems and give his child what she needs.

This book was previously published by Crimson Romance. This edition contains new content. If you read the book before and enjoyed it, you do not need to purchase the new version.

Lanie believes her dreams of love and family are finally coming true. Until she's faced with evidence that Luke's heart is locked away tight. Can Luke learn to slay his demons and put the past to rest? Or will he lose Lanie - and any hope he might've had for a sweet life - forever?