Arielle Jackman grew up as an Army brat-and then she became an Army wife. Now she's widowed and looking for something she's never had... roots. Back in her favorite Texas town, she's teaching middle-schoolers, and since she and her husband never had any, she considers them all her kids. But the evenings are lonely, and Arielle's wondering if she should get out and make some friends. Then friendship finds her again, in the form of an old childhood acquaintance, Cavanagh Wraggs.Known as a weapon of mass destruction for the Ranger Ops team, Cav is always neck-deep in danger. He hates admitting that he's struggling to deal with the stresses of the position, especially after a strike goes sideways-and he's responsible. As a way to take his mind off things, he volunteers at a park cleanup program, but finds another distraction in a very sexy Ms. Jackman as she bends over to pick up trash. Talk about hot for teacher. Then he recognizes the big soft brown eyes of the girl he once knew and is instantly hooked.As things heat up and Arielle begins to let go of her past, she's smacked in the face to learn the sweet-talkin' muscled man is part of a special ops team. Her heart can't take the military life a second time around, especially knowing how it could end. Now Cav is facing some harsh choices-lose the job and team he loves or the woman who makes him happier than he's ever imagined. Maybe, just maybe, he can find a way to keep it all.