Darci had finally realized that she was pouring all her love into a cold, heartless company, expecting it to love and nurture her in return. She’d been using Blackmore’s to give her a sense of belonging, using it as a substitute family. But now she could see that only the right man could give her what she wanted, what she needed. And that man was Cole Blackmore.

Jeffrey was little more than a distant memory—a painful one, but so far in the past she barely gave him a moment of her time. What she’d had with Jeffrey had little to do with love, even less to do with passion.

Passion was what she’d experienced in Cole’s arms; love was what she felt even after he’d deserted her. He thought he was protecting her, saving her from a terrible disaster—which was the proof she needed to know that he loved her, even if he wouldn’t admit it.

What the man didn’t realize was that losing him was the worst thing that had ever happened to her, that being without him was slowly destroying her. Blackmore’s Gourmet Chocolates barely entered her thoughts anymore.

Without Cole, she knew she would never find love again. And without that love, she could never have the family she’d always dreamed of.

Without Cole, there was nothing.

So what was she going to do about it?

Darci tucked the deflated pillow into her arms and stared out the picture window framing the Rocky Mountains. Scruffy crept closer, gingerly curling into Darci’s lap now that her anger was spent. As the minutes ticked into hours, Darci slowly formed a plan of action. Never before had she allowed life to foil her. She’d always found a way around every problem presented to her. And she could do it again.

An idea began to blossom, and a slow smile curved Darci’s lips.

First, she had to regain control of Blackmore’s. Cole would have nothing to do with her until he had a way to support them, she knew that. The dividend checks they both received were not enough to start a new life, and if her mother had her way, they would be coming to an end soon.

To carry out the first part of her plan, she’d need money. And she knew of only one person who had more money than he knew what to do with. And unlike Cole, Darci wasn’t too proud to ask for help when she needed it the most. Todd Perkins would be the target of her first assault.

Now, if she just knew how to get ahold of the old cowboy.