A Tender Reed

"If I wasn't such a good Christian, You'd be living in an orphanage, missy," Grandma told Michelle more times than she could count. Abandoned by her parents, she and her little sister, Nicole, are reminded every day that their livelihood depends on an old woman who never wanted them in the first place. Nearly twenty years later, Michelle Hurley doesn't need anyone. She has finally accepted the fact that she isn't worthy of the love she so desperately needed as a child. Now...
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"If I wasn't such a good Christian, You'd be living in an orphanage, missy," Grandma told Michelle more times than she could count. Abandoned by her parents, she and her little sister, Nicole, are reminded every day that their livelihood depends on an old woman who never wanted them in the first place.

Nearly twenty years later, Michelle Hurley doesn't need anyone. She has finally accepted the fact that she isn't worthy of the love she so desperately needed as a child. Now the only person she relies on is herself. She lives alone on the family farm, drives a sports car, contributes mightily to her stock portfolio, and devotes herself to her job and her dog. She's perfectly content in the niche she's carved out for herself.

All that changes the morning her sister abandons her two young children under Michelle's lilac bushes. Michelle is stunned by Nicole's cruel and selfish act. How could she do such a terrible thing to her? She always put Nicole first, and this is how she repays her? Michelle wants her life back. She doesn't want to become someone's mommy. She doesn't have the time or inclination to deal with daycare and tummy aches and separation anxiety. And she doesn't want to fall in love again with someone who will only end up hurting her.