Sheltering Hearts Part 7

"I wanted to stop by before getting the kids from school and off to their practices. Meanwhile, you go home and freshen up. Put on something nice. I hired a babysitter-one of the guys at the firehouse has a seventeen-year-old daughter who drives. drives. She's going to be at your house at six-thirty." She's going to be at your house at six-thirty."

"Oh, Clay. Babysitters are kind of expensive...."

"It's my treat and I can afford it," he said, tightening his arms around her. "I'm going to take you to a nice restaurant, then bring you home to a couple of sleeping kids worn out from baseball, excuse the sitter and make out with you on the porch for a while. That's what I want. Can you deal with that? Because it sounds like a great idea to me."

She rose on her toes and gave him a kiss. "You turned out to be a pretty good neighbor, Mr. Kennedy. Yes, I can deal with that."

He covered her lips in a deep and meaningful kiss. Against her lips he said, "I want to be a lot more than your neighbor, Dory."

She ran her fingers through the thick dark hair at his temple. "You already are."

Dear Reader,

Harlequin Books is well-known as a publisher with a lot of heart, and that attribute is not limited to their ability to publish universally loved romances, but also speaks to their generosity of spirit. Harlequin is about not just entertaining women, but empowering them. That's why it's such an honor and privilege to be asked to contribute a novella to the More Than Words program. The novellas are always inspired by charities that serve those in need. program. The novellas are always inspired by charities that serve those in need.

The charity that inspired the project in my story is the Zoe Inst.i.tute, a multilevel nonprofit resource center for single mothers located in Tahlequah, OK. Zoe refers to the Greek word that stands for not only the duration of life, but the quality of life; therefore the services the Inst.i.tute offers range from crisis intervention, including the distribution of emergency food and other supplies, to education, mentoring, encouragement and support.

The Inst.i.tute was founded by Rhonda Clemons, who found her calling when she was a widow with four young children. Single mothers, she quickly realized, need everything! everything! Rhonda Clemons had a vision-a resource center that could meet every possible need, because she believes that every child deserves to grow up in a home where their mother is well supported, has the education necessary to live a full and abundant life and can lead their children to do the same. It is a world-changing, epic resolve that the center strives to reach-one single mom at a time. Between 300 and 400 families contact the Zoe Inst.i.tute offices each month! Rhonda Clemons had a vision-a resource center that could meet every possible need, because she believes that every child deserves to grow up in a home where their mother is well supported, has the education necessary to live a full and abundant life and can lead their children to do the same. It is a world-changing, epic resolve that the center strives to reach-one single mom at a time. Between 300 and 400 families contact the Zoe Inst.i.tute offices each month!

Rhonda Clemons's vision has become the helping hand that has walked hundreds of single moms through the storm. For more information about this amazing organization, please go to www.zoeinst.i.tute.com or call 918-453-9778. or call 918-453-9778.

Robyn Carr

PRESENTING THE SIXTH ANNUAL MORE THAN WORDS MORE THAN WORDS COLLECTION COLLECTION Five bestselling authors Five real-life heroines

Little by little, one person at a time, we can make our world a better place. The five dedicated women selected as this year's recipients of Harlequin's More Than Words Award have done just that, by discovering a seed of compa.s.sion and nurturing it to effect real change in their communities. To celebrate their accomplishments, five bestselling authors have honored the winners by writing short stories inspired by these real-life heroines. Award have done just that, by discovering a seed of compa.s.sion and nurturing it to effect real change in their communities. To celebrate their accomplishments, five bestselling authors have honored the winners by writing short stories inspired by these real-life heroines.

Visit www.HarlequinMoreThanWords.com to find out more or to nominate a real-life heroine in your life.

Proceeds from the sale of this book will be reinvested in Harlequin's charitable initiatives.

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