"If the new owner expects Yankee polish, I'm going to give it to him. I'll be a model of poise, style, and cool efficiency." On hearing her boss's decision to sell his Texas company to a sharp New York businessman, Lauren Holt decides to impress the new owner with a show of big city sophistication. Unfortunately, Paul Butler is heading south to escape that very stereotype. His first encounter with the girl leaves him cold. But Lauren can't suppress her exuberant personality for long. One by one, their erroneous assumptions about each other shatter until Paul and Lauren discover a mutual faith and shared Christian values that outweigh their differences. When horrific tragedy strikes, their growing friendship becomes a bedrock of strength as they grapple with grief and pain. But the biggest test is yet to come. Can Lauren's heart survive a jolting confrontation with Paul's sinful past? Lu Cole is a transplanted Kentuckian. After 24 years of missionary service overseas, she and her husband have settled in Texas to be near their five grown children and eight grandkids. Lu currently serves as director of a community center for senior adults. The story in this book was a birthday present for her mother, who decided to share her gift with other readers.