Special Treasures — Sharon Brondos

THE FUTURE WAS UNCERTAIN, THE PRESENT SHAKY

Colorado-based jeweler Maggie Wellington had been on a roller-coaster ride ever since Australian opal miner Mick O'Shay had come into her life. Yet she couldn't bear to say goodbye.

And so she continued to help Mick try to track down the man who had killed his partner -- even though she feared for what his raw anger might cause him to do.

When the chase led to the strangely beautiful Australian outback, Maggie finally began to understand the elemental passions that drove Mick. And she dared dreams that there was hope for them, after all...