The Way Home: Jamesville Book 2 by N. J. Walters (2006)

"The Way Home" is book two in N.J.Walters 'Jamesville' series which is, so far, a sweeter and softer series that reads more like a darker, mid-heat Harlequin romance series than the normal erotica this author writes. Still, the stories are very well written and plotted.

Rebecca has been in love with Jake ever since he saved her from an attack when she was a teenager. Over the years, they have become very good friends, but he has never shown any inclination to deeper their relationship into something more and Rebecca is too timid to risk it.

Then Jake is left as guardian to his recently deceased brother's daughter. So Jake decides he needs a wife and since Rebecca is his best friend and the only woman he 'kind of' trusts, he asks her. Rebecca decides to risk it and the rest of the story tells of their efforts to overcome their pasts and create a life together with an emotionally damaged child.

Very touching, although I did want to kick Jake's butt several times for his boneheadedness! He resists with all his might, but the bigger they are...the harder they fall. Now I'm up for the third book in the series "The Return of Patrick O'Rourke". ( )