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Within the heart of every woman is a fervent desire to meet the one man who will cherish her above everyone and everything else. In Leading with My Heart, Emma Barrett finds such a man in Robert Weston when they come together at the estate sale of Robert's late mother.
Irresistibly drawn to one another, they fall in love, daring to dream of a future they might one day share together, though both are involved in other relationships. But a chance encounter brings Emma face to face with a shocking secret Robert had kept hidden from her.
In the end, love triumphs over all...until one terrible day when Emma's world suddenly comes crashing down around her, a blow that forces her to reach deep within to find a strength she'd never known she possessed.
Leading with My Heart is a love story for the ages.
Excerpts
Chapter One
If truth be told, it was my friend Ginny who had talked me into going. She'd seen the ad in the local paper--an estate sale, it had said. If it hadn't been for Ginny's more adventurous spirit, I never would have passed beyond the forbidding iron gates, flung wide open then, on my own. I never would have ventured down the long winding road leading back into the deep forest. If it had been left up to me, I would have done the everyday things I'd always done. But not Ginny.
It was because of Ginny that my life was forever altered that day, while hers remained much the same. But even knowing all that I know now, I still would not change a single moment. That brief phase of my life had been absolutely glorious! Surely you know what I mean, if you have ever loved and been loved in return. For at the end of that long winding road I was to meet the only man I would ever truly love.
Some would tell you that it was a love affair that never should have been. I was a married woman, after all. And he...yes, he. Well, he was wonderful. But then, perhaps I should tell you my story and let you judge for yourself. If you're a romantic, as I, I believe you'll understand exactly what I mean.
Chapter Two
We walked down to the water's edge. A rowboat had been pulled onto the sandy strip of beach before us, turned upside down to keep the elements out. Robert dropped the fishing poles and duffel bag onto the sand and started working to flip the boat over. I rushed forward to give him a hand. With a great thrust, the boat righted itself and we were in business. He tossed the bag and poles into the boat, and we threw our shoes in too. With Robert on one side and me on the other, we shoved the boat out into the water.
"Hop in," he said.
I climbed into the boat rather awkwardly and sat down. Robert guided the vessel into deeper water before heaving himself over the edge and onto the seat. He positioned himself well, placed the creaking oars into the water, and began to row. It wasn't long before he fell into a rhythmic motion and the boat began to glide right along. I leaned back against the bow of the boat, letting my hand skim the surface of the water. It felt cool and refreshing on my skin.
"I feel like Lady Godiva or something," I proclaimed lazily as he rowed.
Robert laughed. "I think Lady Godiva rode a horse, Emma. In the nude, I might add."
"Well, you know what I mean!" I said a little defensively. "Maybe it was Lady Chatterley."
Robert chuckled, shaking his head.
We passed by a raft anchored about 90 feet off the beach, and the water began to turn a deep azure blue. I sat in the sunlight watching the muscles in Robert's arms ripple as he rowed. The boat seemed to move effortlessly through the water, and I marveled at how strong he was. His body was young and taut and so beautiful to look at, a veritable feast for the eyes. | 
