It's really all about having the inner strength to go on after tragic losses. Just two weeks before her wedding pregnant Laura's life took a tragically sad turn when her fiancé, Jay, came down with meningitis and wound up in a coma. Laura had come to feel that marrying Jay was a true blessing. He was the love of her life and she was so fortunate to have already developed a solid loving relationship with her future in-laws. But overnight all that changed. As she watched Jay hooked up to machines, she was reminded of their discussions of what he wanted in case he was seriously injured in the line of duty. Every cop knows the job is fraught with peril and their families are very aware of the possibility of injury and death. Laura was beside herself trying to persuade Jay's parents to abide by his wishes. But they were overwrought at the premature loss of their son -- their only child -- and disregarded whatever Laura said and basically shut her out.

Laura found herself really alone now -- adrift with just her unborn child. She knew she had to move on. Easier said than done. Cops are like a big extended family, taking care of their own and Jay's force was there for Laura. Jay's folks also called and made attempts to help but were met with deaf ears. Laura just couldn't get past their dismissal at the hospital. Immersion in her work as an art teacher gave her a sense of normalcy and it was near the end of her pregnancy when she started spending considerable time with a student who was doing her best to alienate every teacher in the school. JT was a gifted artist and really quite bright but had deep seated feelings of incompetence and basically thought of herself as dumb. JT lived with her mother but neither parent made any time for her and as such JT continually questioned why Laura cared. In steps officer Seth met both Laura and JT at an inopportune moment and seemed determined to take them both on. Seth was also fighting ghosts from his past and was reluctant to actually move one. They made one messy trio but somehow they each brought something to this relationship that could ultimately bring closure to the past and open doors to a rosier future. Time would tell.

The theme of this story is caring and being cared for. Sometimes it's hard to let your guard down for fear of getting hurt again but the risk is well worth the rewards. And that is definitely the lesson to be learned in this story by Jacobs.

Book Summary

Laura Watson thinks she'll never get over the pain of losing the man she loved. But when her son is born, Lt. Seth Keller is right there with her. The widowed Erie cop has his own reasons to grieve, but he's made up his mind to move on with his life.

Seth can accept being friends. Bonded-by-baby, on-the- verge-of-something-more friends. For now. And when the time comes, he wants to be the one Laura can turn to. Can depend on. Maybe even love.

But sooner of later, Laura has to decide. The past or the future? Because life has given them a second chance at love. Possibly a love that can heal them both...a love that feels like coming home.

Read an Excerpt