Book excerpt: Annie Payton's lost everything she once held dear. The Village of Hope is her last chance to rebuild the life she has frittered away so needlessly. But as she works to regain custody of her children, she never images an unlikely advocate in her corner--ex-husband Ian Montgomery. Ian's always willing to help those down on their luck, but his ex-wife is a different story. Her past betrayal is still a painful memory. As the Village's lawyer, he will represent her--but that is as far as he'll allow his feelings to go. Can Annie show Ian that she has changed in every way but one--the love she still has for him?