The Bench (Love in New England)

Two people. Two betrayals. One love. A harried, keeping-it-together, suddenly single mom, has no idea her ex-husband has hired a private eye in order to maneuver her into legal cross-hairs. The detective, a man who harbors his own secrets, has no interest in the case. Or her. But this starts to change. Katie Wickham just wants to get through the day, love her two children, and spend time with her crazy sister. But an old Peace Corps flame contacts her out of the blue, and she fantasizes about the hunky dog walker down the street. Even though her mind is occupied with bills and grocery lists, some part of her needs more. After a house fire leaves her fragile and scattered, Katie sets off for Maine, where she runs into a man who changes everything. Everything. From Ben Biron's point of view, love is the tattered tissue covering grief. He's seen it all: marriages wrecked by betrayal, dishonesty, and hollow promises. Getting dirt on Katie Wickham is just one more job, until he travels to Maine and accidentally makes contact with the target. From the busy streets of Boston to the quiet hush-hiss of the Maine coast, Katie and Biron begin a dance of give and take with an unclear finish. She is not at all what he expected. He may not be what she needs. After a month on the job, he knows everything about her, yet nothing about himself. After a week with him, she knows what she wants and what she will not compromise. Neither can stand to lose the other or themselves, but one must leave to discover who they are. The question is, will that be enough?