Rachel Hyatt was a vision of startling beauty swimming in the river, Dr. Thorn Cannon decided -- but could this mermaid be the justice of the peace who'd married his aunt to some stranger and let the honeymooners head for Hawaii without informing him? Exhausted from his medical practice, yet restless for something he couldn't name, he'd driven fast and furiously to Bowersville to discover the truth, and now Rachel had made him forget why he'd come. Filled with hunger and unexpected longing, Thorn yearned to stroke her skin and inflame her passion, to cherish and protect this vulnerable woman whose years of wandering had finally led her home. He'd forgotten the sweet pleasure of being needed, as a doctor, and as a man, but Rachel had lived so long with closed doors. Thorn stirred her, dared her to risk all she held dear. Could she share her secrets with this tender dreamer who'd promised to love all she'd ever be?