California Man — Carole Dean

ISLAND BLOSSOM

When Quinn Ramsay boarded the ferry for Canada's Salt Spring Island, he was determined to leave the pressures of his life in California behind him. There would be no more freeways, business lunches, or paparazzi -- at least for the next few weeks. Quinn hoped that fresh air, sunshine, and isolation would give him the peace of mind he needed to contemplate the future of his hugely successful sporting goods company, Action Sports.

Emily Welland, owner of the island's only book shop, had read about the tall, rugged entrepreneur who had the Midas touch in business. She'd seen magazine photos of Quinn surrounded by models and movie stars. The question was how a blue-eyed California hunk like Quinn could possibly be interested in a shy, island hermit like Emily.

But from the moment they met, Quinn knew there was something special about Emily Welland. Although most people thought she resembled a timid librarian, Quinn could see that Emily's silvery gray eyes sparkled with unborn passion. Beneath that shy facade was a woman who had not yet blossomed, a tender rosebud that longed to open its petals to the sun. And Quinn Ramsay wanted to be the man who brought this rosebud her first glimpse of sunshine.