There Is a Season — Phyllis Houseman

ON SHAKY GROUND

While working near the crater of an active volcano, ecologist Beth Cristie was pleased to find signs of life along the ash-covered landscape. From tiny ants to shiny green ferns, nature had survived the eruption of Mount St. Helens. Beth was chasing a gopher with her camera, trying to capture it on film, when she ran into a piece of seismic equipment and stumbled to the ground.

The geologist who owned the equipment was not amused. When Joshua Hunter first saw Beth, he took her for a reckless teenager who had blundered into his camp. But a closer look at her petite figure, her amber eyes, and her halo of light brown curls revealed that this was a beautiful woman. Joshua was furious over his ruined experiment. And he wasn't about to let Beth off the hook.

Beth was wary of Joshua from the moment he lost his temper. The last thing she needed was another unpredictable man. But when Joshua insisted on bandaging her wounds, she saw that there were many facets to this man. He could be gentle, tender. . . and passionate. And the touch of his lips left her feeling as hot and volatile as the volcano beneath their feet.