L.A. Ferro

Left to my own devices from a young age, I grew up with zero love or guidance. I was an unwanted mistake my parents were forced to endure. Loneliness followed me everywhere.

The last thing I needed was a wife… but that's precisely what I got when I showed up at my father's house to discuss the new girl in town. I walked in single, only to storm out a very married man.

I was supposed to be attending a friend's birthday party, not used as bait to lure out the elusive Holden Hayes. Holden was the last thing I needed.

I came to Copper Falls expecting to settle my sister's estate and learn about the woman I never knew existed until I was notified of her death. Little did I know that stories about her weren't the only thing that awaited me in the small town.

Eloise Grey wasn't looking for me…but I was looking for her. To be fair, I didn't know she was the girl I'd been obsessed with until it was too late. I was on the fast track to making my NHL dreams a reality with my girl by my side. She was my whole world. My kryptonite...till she got it wrong.

At eight, he gave me roses. At fifteen, he gave me butterflies, and at seventeen, he gave me sanctuary. I wasn't a damsel in distress. He wasn't Prince Charming waiting to whisk me off my feet. We didn't meet by chance. He's been part of my life for years, and for most of that time, I've been...