“I love you, Zach,” she said softly. “I really do.”

Gramps gave a loud satisfied sigh. “Good, good. Okay, Zach, it’s your turn.”

“My turn?”

“Tell Janine what you feel and don’t go all arrogant on me.”

Zach reached for Janine’s hand. He lifted her palm to his mouth and brushed his lips against it. “I love you,” he whispered.

“Add something else,” Gramps instructed, gesturing toward him. “Something like…you’d be a lost and lonely soul without her. Women are impressed by that sort of thing. Damn foolishness, I know, but necessary.”

“I’d be a lost and lonely soul without you,” Zach repeated, then looked back at Janine’s grandfather. “How’d I do?”

“Better than most. Is there anything else you’d like him to say, Janine?”

She gave an expressive sigh. “I don’t think so.”

“Good. Now I want the two of you to kiss.”

“Here? In front of you?”

“Yes,” Gramps insisted.

Janine slipped into Zach’s arms. The smile he shared with her was so devastating that she felt her heart race with anticipation. Her eyes fluttered closed as his mouth settled on hers, thrilling her with promises for all the years to come.

Gently, provocatively, Zach moved his mouth over hers, ending his kiss far too soon to suit Janine. From the shudder that coursed through him, Janine knew it was too soon for him, too. Reluctantly they drew apart. Zach gazed into her eyes, and Janine responded with a soft smile.

“Excellent, excellent.”

Janine had all but forgotten her grandfather’s presence. When she turned away from Zach, she discovered Gramps sitting across from them, his hands on the arms of the leather chair. He looked exceedingly proud of himself. “Are you two going to be all right now?”

“Yes, sir,” Zach answered for them both, his eyes hazy with desire as he smiled at Janine. She could feel herself blushing, and knew her eyes were foggy with the same longing.

“Good!” Gramps declared, nodding once for emphasis. A slow grin overtook his mouth. “I knew all the two of you needed was a little assistance from me.” He inhaled deeply. “Since you’re getting along so well, maybe now would be the time to bring up the subject of children.”

“Anton,” Zach said, rising to his feet. He strode across the room and opened the door. “If you don’t mind, I’ll take care of that myself.”

“Soon?” Gramps wanted to know.

Zach’s eyes met Janine’s. “Soon,” he promised.

* * * * *

All Anna George wants for her young twins is a safe place to call home. And they just might have found it in Safe Haven, South Carolina. But when handsome contractor Sean O’Dwyer discovers them at one of the beachfront cabins he’s refurbishing, can Anna trust him? She’s been wrong before…

Read on for a peek at the first heartwarming book in Lee Tobin McClain’s SAFE HAVEN series, LOW COUNTRY HERO!

PROLOGUE

Twenty Years Ago

WALKING FROM THE small-town grocery store back toward their new home at the Safe Haven Women’s Shelter, Rita O’Dwyer felt her shoulders start to relax. Maybe this was going to be okay. For her boys, and even, maybe, for her.