The goal was a rather simple one. Jon would do the necessary repairs to allow the house that he and his brother Tyler had grown up in go on the market. Staying in the house dredged up old memories that were better left alone -- memories of being with an abusive father. Both Jon and Tyler were stubborn but Tyler had moved on and recently married while Jon's life was still in limbo and the decision to return was taking its toll on him physically and emotionally. Something that Tyler couldn't stand by and let happen.

Gabby Wade was office manager at Tyler's furniture design and shared camaraderie with all the men at work. She was slightly taken aback when Jon showed up at Tyler's workplace and couldn't get over his rudeness. To make matters worse she felt he was overwhelming and larger than life as he invaded her space. Okay, that made her feel like a shrew but she was very protective of Tyler. There were times when Gabby had to stop and remind herself that any intimate relationship she shared with Tyler was history now that he was very devoted to Ally, his wife. Gabby and Tyler's relationship instantly switched gears to being good friends. Now that Jon was joining the company Gabby was kept in the dark about issues concerning him certainly not winning any brownie points in her book.

Jon on the other hand couldn't figure out why Tyler held Gabby in such esteem. As far as he was concerned, she was a rather uptight chick who wasn't his type on so many levels. And even though he had been warned that she was proud of her independent nature Jon took that almost as a challenge. Truth be told breaking up with Tyler hadn't been as easy as Gabby thought even though she accepted how happy Ally made him something she couldn't. But now with Jon's arrival and his rather quick assessment of Gabby's feminine attributes she was forced to take a really good look at herself. Unconsciously she had been ingratiating herself to Tyler but facing facts meant making some changes.

Jon was facing some serious personal demons and while he knew his stay was temporary he started having some unwelcome feelings for Gabby. All of a sudden he was actually seeing her as an attractive woman who saw any help from a man as a sign of weakness. Even though she worked hard to camouflage her womanly curves Jon was beginning to have oddly lustful thoughts when around her. And Gabby was questioning her sanity over her reaction to Jon. How could two people who don't even like each other be so affected by them? It's one of life's mysteries.

Great story line that expands into dealing with some heavy issues about growing up with an abusive parent. Not enough to show how scary trying to survive is but then Mayberry adds still another dimension -- that of guilt.

Book Summary

It's time to move on...

Any day now Jon Adamson will pack his bags and hit the road. After all, his intention was never to hang around Melbourne once he’d settled his late father’s affairs. Yet he hasn’t moved on. And it might have something to do with Gabby Wade. The not-so-big office manager with the really big attitude is making Jon’s days…interesting…engaging…fun. It’s impossible for him to resist her.

But he knows himself—long-term commitments and cozy family dinners aren’t his style. If that’s what the future holds, why is he still here? And why is he spending all his days—and nights—with Gabby? Because maybe she’s the one reason strong enough to make him stay.

What if you discovered that all you ever wanted were the things you’d left behind?