Martin Wesley’s job as a CFO is very stressful. All he seems to do lately is work, with no end in sight. But one morning he answers a knock on his door and comes face to face with a social worker and a sad little girl named Samantha Wesley ... his niece. Martin is her only next of kin, and he has no idea what to do.<br><br>In steps daycare worker Ryan Gentles, who is very understanding and helpful, and Martin is beyond grateful. It doesn't hurt that the man is cute as a button, too.<br><br>With his heart pulled in two directions, Martin has to make a choice: continue to be a pawn in his company's games or find a new purpose by taking care of his niece, quitting his job, and reaching out for a love he never thought possible.

Because of Sam

“Uh-huh. Can we have a dog? Please?”


Man, those eyes of hers would melt stone. “We’ll see. Maybe in a few months.”


“Yeah!” she yelled, and my ears felt the full brunt of those decibels. She scrambled off my lap and grabbed Ryan’s hand. “Come on, Ryan. I want to play hides and seeks.”


Ryan let himself be led away and glanced back at me. “Later,” he mouthed, and went to have fun with my niece.


Thankfully, Sam was so exhausted from her day that she fell asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow that night. I tucked her in gently, kissed her forehead, and went back to the living room where Ryan was waiting with a movie he’d selected.


I brought a blanket with me to cover us both as we got down to the serious business of snuggling, popcorn, and a flick. Ryan felt good against me, his warm body fitting so well with mine.


Chapter 13