I would like to also acknowledge the support of a few friends. We share writing victories and stumbling blocks, laugh together, prop one another up and lend a hand when a hand is needed. Thank you to Susan Andersen, Kristan Higgins, Colleen Gleason, Deanna Raybourn and Jill Shalvis.

To my editor, Valerie Gray, and my agent, Liza Dawson, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Believe me, I never take for granted one second how lucky I am to have you on my team.

The Virgin River series by New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr

Virgin River-in the redwood forests and quiet hamlets of northern California, where the men are handsome and honorable and the women are strong and beautiful, and everyone has a stake in seeing love thrive. Read them all!

Virgin River

Shelter Mountain

Whispering Rock

A Virgin River Christmas

Second Chance Pa.s.s

Temptation Ridge

Paradise Valley

"Under the Christmas Tree" (novella)

Forbidden Falls

Angel's Peak

Moonlight Road

"Midnight Confessions" (novella)

Promise Canyon

Wild Man Creek

Harvest Moon

Bring Me Home for Christmas

Hidden Summit

Redwood Bend

Sunrise Point

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Chapter One

There was a small note on the bulletin board at the Virgin River Presbyterian Church. Apple harvest to begin at Cavanaugh Orchard. Apply in person.

Virgin River newcomer Nora Crane studied the board regularly and, when she saw the notice, asked Reverend Kincaid what he knew about the job. "Very little," he answered. "It's a fairly long harvesting season and the Cavanaughs like to add a few full-time workers to their staff. Not many, though. I hear they pay pretty well, it's very demanding work and it's all over in a few months."

Pay pretty well stuck. She was holding her two-year-old daughter's hand and carried nine-month-old Fay in her backpack.

"Can you give me directions to the orchard?" she asked.

He wrinkled his brow. "Nora, it's a few miles away. You don't have a car."

"I'll have to go there, find out what the pay and hours are. If it's a good job with good pay, I bet I can afford day care at the new school. That would be so good for Berry," she said of her two-year-old. "She's almost never with other children and needs socialization. She's so shy. And I'm not afraid of walking. I'm not afraid to hitch a ride around here, either-people are generous. And a few miles-that's really nothing. I'll get some exercise."

Noah Kincaid's frown just deepened. "Walking home could be tough after a long day of physical labor. Picking apples is hard work."

"So is being broke," she said with a smile. "I bet Adie would love a little babysitting money to add to her budget. She barely squeaks by. And she's so wonderful with the girls." Adie Clemens was Nora's neighbor and friend. Although Adie was elderly, she managed the girls very well because two-year-old Berry was so well behaved and Fay didn't get around much yet. Fay had just started crawling. Adie loved taking care of them, even though she couldn't take them on full-time.

"What about your job at the clinic?" Noah asked.

"I think Mel gave me that job more out of kindness than necessity, but of course I'll talk to her. Noah, there isn't that much work available. I have to try anything that comes along. Are you going to tell me how to get there?"

"I'm going to drive you," he said. "We're going to log the miles and get an accurate distance reading. I'm not sure this is a good idea."

"How long has that notice been up?" Nora asked.

"Tom Cavanaugh put it up this morning."