Lucy Akinyi returns home to lick her wounds after a bad break-up and finds purpose in advocating for children’s rights. But the hurt has left her slow to trust and almost numb to love.
Adams Okal goes into the heart of Kachieng’ to set up his dream ranch and have some peace, away from deception, war, and despair. But without the army, he feels like a blind man groping in the dark and starts to feel lonely without his family until he meets Lucy.
Their physical attraction makes him want her. Yet, Adams can’t settle for a brief liaison. Lucy pulls his heartstrings like no other. However, she is resistant to getting entangled with a man in uniform. Are they strong enough to demolish all the barriers and discover love on the other side?
CW: Child abuse, sexual assault, gender-based violence, death of a loved one, PTSD and suicide.
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EXCERPT
They turned in the direction of the approaching sleek, black car.
Adhiambo waved ceaselessly at it, smiling broadly.
Akinyi suppressed the urge to slap her hard across the face. The man would think they were some naïve girls who had never seen a handsome man behind the wheels.
She retreated as the car halted beside them, and the window rolled down. She froze, her feet rooted to the ground.
Adhiambo had been right about the man being handsome, but handsome did not even begin to describe him.
He was bald, had a strong jawline, and sported a beard. For some reason, Akinyi loved it because it gave him a dangerous appearance. His smoky-brown eyes stared at her in unabashed admiration. His mouth curved into a grin, making her stomach churn.
She quickly licked her suddenly dry lips and looked away.
“Hello, ladies. Can I give you a lift?” he asked, getting out of the car.
“That would be lovely. Thanks,” Adhiambo quickly answered, already jumping into the backseat.
Akinyi stood her ground as she looked at the man in his full glory. He was very tall, over six feet if she wasn’t wrong, his skin chocolate-dark. And the body. Ooh, my God. Nobody had the right to look that good—the broad chest, muscular arms, and thick thighs.
Her knees weakened as her pulse pounded in her ears.
“Akinyi, let’s go!” Adhiambo called impatiently, throwing her hands up in the air.
“No. I don’t board strangers’ cars. Maybe he will kidnap us,” Akinyi spoke while gazing straight into the aforementioned stranger’s sexy eyes.
The man grinned, shaking his head as his hot gaze scalded her body. Nothing subtle about his ogling, as if he didn’t want her to have any doubt about his intention.
Her toes curled in her shoes as she tried to act calm and nonchalant.
“Come on. I am not a kidnapper,” he said hoarsely.
“We cannot be so sure about that, can we? What’s your name?” she asked.
Adhiambo rolled her eyes. “Akinyi!”
Akinyi ignored her, folding her arms across her chest.
“I am Adams Okal. I am building my ranch just next to Achego Catholic church. What’s your name?” he asked, leaning his hip against the vehicle and crossing his ankles.
“If you have ears, I believe you have heard my friend mention my name. Furthermore, I am harmless. I can’t kidnap you even if I had that in mind.” Akinyi looked him over, from his brown safari boots, the thigh-hugging jeans, through to his fitted blue shirt.
Finally, her gaze landed on his, and she winked. His eyes widened in surprise.