House of Lies, e-book available at www.thewildrosepress.com, print book release March 2007, ISBN 1-60154-031-0, available at www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com, and www.thewildrosepress.com. (80,000 words)

The rawhide ties of her loosely laced long sleeved shirt held his attention, as did the snug jeans skimming her petite frame. Heavy hiking boots completed her attire.

“Jacob Sutherland?” she asked as she briskly mounted the four shallow steps leading to the porch.

Limping forward, he inclined his head. “Call me Jake.”

“I’m Hannah Montgomery.” After she shook his hand, she shoved her hands into her pockets. “How do you manage this mountainous terrain with a cane?”

The concern in her tone irritated him. He didn’t want her sympathy. His stupid leg injury was the reason her father was dead. Every ache, every twinge, reminded him of his unfinished business.

Unfinished business that he meant to finish.

He shrugged. “It isn’t a problem.”

“I’m sorry for only giving you a few hours notice, but I had an unexpected opening in my schedule. My job has a tendency to take over my life.”

Her words glossed over her three month delay, making it appear that she was glad to finally be here. But he knew otherwise. Her closed body language and that flicker of annoyance in her eyes suggested she didn’t want to be here at all. Too bad.