Raising the Bar

Did you hear the one about the woman who gets fired, then busted for speeding on a country road and falls for the cop who pulled her over?

Sergeant Jude Davis barely has enough hours in the day to protect and serve the small town of Kelly Lakes and take care of his ailing father. After his bitter divorce, he learned the hard way that he doesn't have time for romantic relationships.

If only he could get everyone to stop trying to set him up on blind dates...

When the grouchy officer pulled over a speeding driver, he wasn't prepared for Claudia. The sunshiney beauty is only in town long enough to nurse her professional wounds before heading back to Brooklyn. She's gorgeous, fiery, and everything he doesn't have time to enjoy.

Jude can't afford to get close to her, so no one is more shocked than he is when he finds himself asking her for a favor. A few fake public cuddles and longing looks should be enough to put off his determined matchmakers, right?

For the first time in years, this grumpy cop has something to smile about as the friendship develops certain "benefits." But when Claudia's temporary stay takes a turn for the permanent, Jude has to face facts. He can't be the man she deserves...but he's definitely not willing to watch her end up with someone else.