It's not the past that wounds us.it's the ghosts we hold on to. Hearts of the South Book 6 A lifetime ago Mark Cook's pregnant wife vanished, taking everything and leaving an empty, aching hole in his life. Since then, as penance for his failure as a husband and father, he's refused to allow himself to live. Refused to lay his sleeping heart on the line for any woman. Enter Tori Calvert, his best friend's baby sister. Suddenly, against his will-and against his better judgment-that same damaged heart seems determined to reawaken. And Mark's not sure he can withstand the pain. When she was a teenager, a vicious attack ripped away Tori's very essence as a woman. Finally she feels ready to focus her existence on something other than her job as a rape crisis counselor. And to step outside the shelter of her loving, protective family. She trusts Mark more than any man, yet fear holds her back. Fear that even the healing light of love may not be enough to banish the shadows of the past.