A lifetime of waiting. Sixteen years ago, Ryder Gerard watched as Emily Sayer was deserted by her family and scorned for her unwed pregnancy. His dead brother was the father of her son-and writer worried that this boy with a share the Gerard secret-and his own despair. Now Ryder had a chance to help by making Emily his wife. But Emily would have nothing to do with him. Emily had worked hard to gain her independence. Although Ryder's proposal made sense, she hadn't stayed single this long just to enter into a loveless marriage. Yet she couldn't help recalling the memories they shared . . . and the attraction that had never been forgotten. lifetime of waiting. Sixteen years ago, Ryder Gerard watched as Emily Sayer was deserted by her family and scorned for her unwed pregnancy. His dead brother was the father of her son-and writer worried that this boy with a share the Gerard secret-and his own despair. Now Ryder had a chance to help by making Emily his wife. But Emily would have nothing to do with him. Emily had worked hard to gain her independence. Although Ryder's proposal made sense, she hadn't stayed single this long just to enter into a loveless marriage. Yet she couldn't help recalling the memories they shared . . . and the attraction that had never been forgotten.