Steven Creed arrives in Stone Creek with his newly adopted
son, Matt, ready to start anew away from the hustle and
bustle of a corporate career. A distant cousin of
the McKettricks, Steven has purchased a small ranch far away
from his family in Colorado. He is looking to build a normal
life for the two of them and realizes he and Matt
have some serious relationship issues to muddle through.
Steven's last love basically gave him an ultimatum -- her or
Matt -- so out she went taking a little piece of his heart
and a big chunk of trust in women.
In addition to running a small ranch, Steven was opening a
law office in town, basically a pro bono practice for the
down-trodden. Melissa O'Ballivan was the county prosecutor
of this little town and, although it didn't seem a hotbed of
activity, it gave her the sense of belonging she so needed.
With a limited supply of eligible men, she was very aware of
Matt and Steven's arrival in town. News of Steven Creed's
pro bono plan immediately set off warning bells for Melissa
who had little or no regard for do-gooders. But Melissa had
some issues occupying her time, including worrying over the
release of a young man who she had made sure spent time in
jail for manslaughter. In a moment of weakness, she
reluctantly agreed to chair the annual parade. Her siblings
were busy with their lives and families and admittedly
Melissa's social life was well - missing. When her last guy
left, she realized losing his children hurt more than losing
him. That was definitely her biological clock talking and
she was going to be really careful before listening to it
again. But meeting the Creed's was just enough to set her
little world spinning again and, if she were honest with
herself, her world was in need of some excitement. The
attraction to the little boy was immediate and mutual. Matt
was rather outspoken for a five year old and quickly stated
his opinion that Melissa was an excellent choice for a new
mother. Between keeping an eye on the current residents at
her sisters Bed & Breakfast (which was proving to be quite
an eyeful), her job as prosecutor, and her role as parade
planner,
Melissa's life had gone from serene to hectic.
This is the first installment in a three book series about
the Creed cousins. As always, Miller has the touch needed to
bring all the characters to life, flaws and all. It is a
difficult task to find a favorite character to root for but
in this story there are many who truly need a booster. Love
comes in many forms, and A CREED IN STONE CREEK shows that
in this little town there is never a shortage of love,
commitment, and trust. A feel good story that begs for more.
When single attorney Steven Creed becomes the guardian of an
orphaned five-year-old boy, he trades his big-city law firm
for a ranch near his McKettrick kin in the close-knit
community of Stone Creek, Arizona. Taking care of little
Matt and fixing up his run-down ranch house with its old
barn loosens something tightly wound inside him. But when
Steven takes on the pro bono defense of a local teen, he
meets his match in the opposing counsel—beautiful,
by-the-book county prosecutor Melissa O’Ballivan. It’ll take
one grieving little boy, a sweet adopted dog and a woman who
never expected to win any man’s heart to make this Creed in
Stone Creek know he’s truly found home.