Silhouette #829: More Than He Bargained for That Special Woman!

Clark Strong was an angry hardened man. The only thing that can break through that tough exterior is his daughter Elizabeth. He is angry with the courts, and his ex in-laws, for siding with his wife in the custody battle. Clark knows that his daughter would have been better off with him than his mentally ill ex-wife. The last thing that he needs in his life is a sweet, beautiful, nosy neighbor who tries to cheer him up. Avery Payton felt that she owed her new neighbor for everything that he has done for her. Although, when she first met him, she could not say that she liked him very much. Yet when Avery needed help Clark was there for her. Clark unwillingly spends time with this city girl who has no business trying to run a farm alone. Clark and Avery find themselves getting closer and closer, but both of them must face the fact that their children may tear them apart. Both Clark and Avery are dealing with custody issues involving their ex spouses. Above all else Clark and Avery put their children first. At times I felt like Avery expected Clark to read her mind and know what she wants or feels. She also gets upset because she feels that he does not try with her children. Yet what is Clark supposed to do force himself on them when they obviously resent his place in their mother's life. This is a story about the difficulties of bringing two people together and about what their children mean to the relationship. Their children are very important factors in this story.