Publisher's Synopsis
On a dark, cold evening, in the Fall of 1996, Melissa Drake is walking home, when she meets a stranger sitting by himself on the steps of the flat, in a dark secluded spot, beside her father's place of business. She has the courage to start up a conversation with him, and soon learns about the reason that he has become homeless. She reaches out to him, by helping him to find a more permanent shelter, off the streets and protected from the approaching winter. The friendship grows between Melissa and Rene as she cares for him. Rene barely gets through the winter months, but with Melissa, whom he calls Missy, by his side, spring gradually arrives with more hope for his future. However, life on the streets of Montreal, brings trouble into their lives and Rene becomes a victim and a key witness to a crime and is questioned by the police, while he is recovering in the hospital. Melissa knows that Rene's life is in danger and she plans a well-executed plan to bring him to safety. The two fugitives, escape to the United States intending to get as far away as possible. Keeping under the radar, because of the false papers that Rene is carrying, Missy drives down into a remote area of Virginia, where they meet an older couple, who take them under their wings. While on the Anderson estate, Missy finds her calling, and Rene finds employment with the truck driver who is a relative of the Andersons. Missy loves Rene, but Rene is a troubled soul, who is scared to love anyone because of the losses that he had suffered in his previous life. With the help of their new family and with some spiritual guidance, from a local minister, the two work through their own individual demons. Missy devotes all of her energy to her writing and produces a best- selling novel, soon after a tragedy hits the shores of her sanctuary. The story unfolds and Melissa and Rene do unite as lovers, only to be torn apart at the hands of fate."