Vanessa Rutledge is trying to adjust to being a young widow with a new baby who will never get to know the wonderful man she married. When she lost Matt to the war in Iraq, Vanessa understood the possibility that losing him was part of being a military wife. But the reality is such a hard emotion to get over. Thankfully, Vanessa has her family and friends in Virgin River to help her cope with the changes, especially her late husband's best friend, Paul. Without him she is not sure she would be in the place she finds herself now; ready to move on. If only she can prove to him she is not like his sister, but a woman who loves deeply.

Paul Haggerty first saw Vanessa when he and his best friend met her, but as usual, Matt always got the girl. So Paul spends most of his time loving her from afar. Now that Matt is gone, Paul is not sure what to do about his feelings. Consoling Vanessa after Matt's death and sticking around for their baby to be born not only brought them closer together, but his feelings have deepened to the point of being painful.

Paul has never been a man of many words, let alone being open about his feelings, so Vanessa has absolutely no idea his love for her is so strong. Will his dead best friend forgive him for loving her?

This Virgin River series is utterly fantastic! The books can stand alone because Robyn Carr never allows you to lose touch with any of the characters and they are even more mesmerizing when you can read one after the other. Five Stars Fabulous!

Book Summary

The community of Virgin River saw Vanessa Rutledge through her darkest days — now she's looking forward to a bright future.

In the space of a few months Vanessa buried her husband, Matt, and gave birth to their son—breaking her heart while filling it with a whole new kind of love. But the one man she longs to share this love with now acts as if she doesn't exist.

Paul Haggerty lives by the marine motto: Semper Fi. Ever faithful to his best friend, he's done right by Matt's widow as best he can . . . considering he's been secretly in love with her for years. Now, just as he's about to make his move, another woman has staked her claim on him—a claim that will be tough to escape.

With courage, humility and not a little meddling from the good folks of Virgin River, Vanni and Paul might just get a second chance to have the love they both desire and deserve.

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