Book excerpt: Could his deal be the one to make her stay? Dakota Manning is on the run after years of abuse at the hands of her boyfriend, Bobby. Her desperate flight comes to an abrupt end outside the small town of Snowy Springs. With her car broken and Dakota in Snowy Springs Hospital, she suddenly finds herself in need of employment and a place to stay. Aaron Bakker, the town's hardware store owner and mechanic assistant, offers her a deal—a place to stay and a way to pay for the repairs in exchange for helping him out at his store. The Deal with Dakota is a story of hope, reconciliation, and renewal. It is a reminder that even the biggest mistakes can be forgiven and that a new life can be made from the ashes.