My Dear Prudence — Becky Doughty

Prudence Goodacre believes in soulmates, in the kind of love that transcends time and space. But what if her soulmate doesn't believe in her?Prudence has an uncanny ability to read people. Some call it women's intuition, others say she's an old soul; her insight carries weight, and when she speaks, folks tend to listen. She knows better than most that sticks and stones may break bones, but words have the power to both heal and inflict immeasurable pain.Although Prudence imparts wisdom and clarity into the lives of others, hers is hobbled by deferred hopes and shelved dreams. Once upon a time, she thought she knew her own heart... and the heart of the man she offered it to. But his crushing rejection made her question the idyllic truth she lived by: that love conquers all.It's taken her a long time to accept the loss of her innocence, but she's found solace, if not exactly contentment, in the sanctuary of Seven Virtues Ranch.Collin Stewart remembers things differently. And now he just wants a chance to explain.Prudence, however, isn't prepared to rearrange her memories, not even for him. She has good reason to keep him at arm's length, lest he prove her fears right and run roughshod over what's left of her heart.But love and fear cannot share the same ground, Prudence must choose which one she's willing to risk her hope and happiness on. And this time, she's not the only warrior wielding a weapon. Collin is armed with words of his own, and every one of them is like a siren call to her battered heart.