rebecca willoughby

There are a lot of things to love about growing up in a small rural community in south Louisiana, but for lifelong resident Paige Barksdale, there is nothing she loves more than her family, her horse, ... and Canan McCord. Unfortunately, only the horse and family return her love in equal portion. Even though she has finally reached the coveted status of adulthood, Canan still sees Paige as a child.

Canan McCord is a man's man, living his dreams. As VP of his father's land management company, Canan spends his days in the woods surveying timber and heads right back out on the weekends to hunt and fish. Life is good. He even has a beautiful, accomplished girlfriend who is dropping strong hints about wanting to be promoted to "wife" -- but something is holding him back from buying that ring. Something that looks an awful lot like the young, raven-haired beauty who grew up next door.

As Paige comes to terms with the idea of a future without the man who holds her heart, a violent hurricane strikes the tiny town of Davout, Louisianna. As wind and rain sweep across the Bayou State, lives are lost and Paige and Canan are forced to discover who they really are--and what truly counts in life . . . and in love.