Signet, Apr 2003, 6.99, 464 pp.
ISBN: 0451207947
At thirty Chloe Evans feels old as she recovers from a nasty divorce although she tries to hide the ugliness from her preadolescent son Jeremy. To give the asthmatic Jeremy a fresh start, Chloe moves them to the resort town Jack Pine in Oregon where she takes a position as a police dispatcher.
Jeremy's Golden Retriever puppy becomes very ill, but money is tight so a vet seems out of the question. Though dangerous rumors abound about local outcast former veterinarian Dr. Ben Longtree, a desperate Jeremy also learns of his magical healing touch. The child carries his beloved dog so that the pariah can treat him. Ben does not want any visitors especially since he illegally provides medical treatment to wild animals, but he cannot resist the lad or his dog. Chloe and Ben become acquainted and soon fall in love through the efforts of her matchmaking child. However, Deputy Bobby Lee Shuck has a new reason to harass and destroy the man he always hated as he wants to bed the newcomer anyway he can even though Chloe says no.
Harriet Klausner
This report prepared by Harriet Klausner
