Book excerpt: Ten years ago, Jackson Hardy joined the Marines, leaving behind a woman he still dreams about. When he's called home to care for his ten-year-old nephew, no one is more shocked than he to run into Emma again. Or that he still has those same feelings for her. But Jackson isn't looking for love, and neither is Emma—especially where he’s concerned. But his precocious nephew and a retriever named Bandit might just change that... So what if Emma Mercer is an overachiever? She has plans to get her doctorate in psychology and create a no-kill shelter for the emotional support dogs she trains, and it leaves absolutely no time for romance. She's fine with a furry family—dogs don't teach you to love and then rip your heart to shreds. But young Jackson’s nephew tugs at her heartstrings and there's no way she can't help him. Her chemistry with the soldier may be hotter than ever, but forgetting the past isn't easy. Especially when it’s safer to let sleeping dogs—and sexy marines—lie...