New York Times bestselling author Mariah Stewart presents a captivating contemporary romance novel in the tradition of Robyn Carr, Susan Mallery, and Barbara Freethy. Dallas MacGregor is living the Hollywood dream. At thirtysomething, she’s an award-winning actress beloved by the public and bound for even bigger success. But when her soon-to-be-ex-husband, producer Emilio Baird, is caught in a sex scandal, Dallas’s charmed life turns tabloid nightmare. Determined to shield her young son, Cody, from the ugly uproar, Dallas seeks refuge in sleepy St. Dennis, Maryland—the Chesapeake Bay town where her happiest childhood days were spent. Reunited with her boisterous great-aunt, Dallas wants nothing more than to leave her Hollywood days behind. And when she crosses paths with local veterinarian Grant Wyler, her high school summer love, she finds he’s everything she remembers, and more—and that the spark is still there. But Dallas’s promising new life takes a troubling turn when the unimaginable happens and she finds herself living a mother’s worst nightmare—and Emilio storms into St. Dennis to save the day, along with his damaged career. Trapped in the unwanted glare of the limelight once again, Dallas discovers that it’s coolheaded Grant who is willing to risk everything to protect her and her son, and to secure the future they were always meant to share. Mariah Stewart is the award-winning New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of twenty-seven novels of contemporary romance and romantic suspense. A native of Hightstown, New Jersey, she lives in southern Chester County, Pennsylvania, with her husband, their daughter, and their dogs. Chapter 1 At the precise moment Dallas MacGregor was picking up her son, Cody, from his pricey summer day camp out near Topanga State Park, the home video starring her soon-to-be ex-husband and two of the female production assistants from his latest film had already been uploaded to the Internet. By the time she arrived at her Malibu home—she’d stopped once on the way from the set of her latest movie promo shoot to pick up dinner—the one-thousandth viewing had already been downloaded. The phone was on overdrive, ringing like mad, when she walked into her kitchen. “Miss MacGregor, you have many messages. Two from your aunt Beryl.” Elena, her housekeeper, cast a wary glance at Cody and handed her employer a stack of pink slips as the phone continued to ring. “About Mr. Emilio . . .” “Would you mind answering that?” Dallas slid the heavy paper bag onto the counter. “And why are you still here? I thought you wanted to leave today by four?” “Yes, miss, I . . .” Elena lifted the receiver. “Miss MacGregor’s . . . oh, hello, Miss Townsend. Yes, she’s home now, she just arrived. Yes, I gave her the message but . . . of course, Miss Townsend . . .” Elena held the phone out to Dallas. “It’s your great-aunt,” she whispered. “I figured that out.” Dallas smiled and took the cordless receiver from Elena. “Hello, Berry. I was just thinking about—” “Dallas.” Her aunt cut her off sharply. “What the hell is going on out there?” “Not much.” Dallas paused. “What’s supposed to be going on?” “That numbskull you were married to.” Berry’s breath came in ragged puffs. She was obviously in a lather over something. Not unusual, Dallas thought. At eighty-one, it didn’t take much to rile Berry these days. “What’s he done now?” Dallas began emptying the bag, lining up the contents on the counter. “Not what as much as who.” Berry was becoming increasingly agitated. “Mommy.” Cody tugged at her sleeve. “Why are all those cars out there?” “Berry, hold on for just a moment, please.” Dallas glanced out the side window where cars were lined up on the other side of the fence that completely encircled the gated property, cars that had not been there five minutes ago when they drove through the gates. It wasn’t unusual for paparazzi to follow her home, but she hadn’t noticed any cars tailing her today. She raised the blinds just a little, and saw more cars were arriving even as she watched. “I don’t know, Cody. Maybe the studio put out something about Mommy’s new movie. Maybe we should turn on the television and see.” “No!” Elena and Berry both shouted at the same time. “What?” Dallas frowned and turned to her housekeeper, who stood behind Cody. She pointed to the child, then raised her index finger to her lips, their silent code for “not in front of Cody.” Keeping a curious eye on Elena, Dallas asked, “Berry, why don’t you tell me . . . ?” “Are you saying you don’t know? Seriously? You haven’t heard?” “Heard what?” “That idiot ex of yours—” “Not ex yet, but soon, please God . . .” Dallas muttered. “And it’s long been established that he’s an idiot, so anything he’s done should be viewed with that in mind.” “—managed to get himself filmed doing . . . all sorts of things that you will not want Cody to see . . .” Berry was almost gasping. “And with more than one person. It was disgu