Hot to the touch

The Lockwood Brothers seek out Phoebe Schneider--who has a new business in Gold River, BABY LOVE--she's a baby masseuse who works especially with traumatized babies--because their youngest brother, Fox, needs help. Fox was a history teacher until he volunteered to serve in the military. He was sent home/discharged because of injuries sustained from a 'dirty bomb'. Physically he's healing fine; emotionally, he's closed down. He's been to docs, and his family loves him, but no one can seem to get through. Phoebe has concentrated her giving personality on babies, because she knows she's no good with men. By nature, she's a sensualist, a woman who relates with the sense of touch--and because of this, men have tended to think she was 'loose'. Fox, though, she initially believes is no danger--because he couldn't possibly be interested in her in a woman, even if he does have stereotypes about masseuses. Fox, though, IS interested....and because Phoebe is able to really help him, through her sense of touch and caring, generous heart....he finds himself healing in spite of himself. When he initiates a kiss, though, and then more than kisses--he finds Phoebe responding to him like a man's dream of lover...only the more sensuality she shows, the more she 'freaks' and runs from him and a potential relationship. It takes time before Fox realizes that she needs healing as much as he did...but Phoebe, by nature, is a healer...and he has no idea how to help her. She sticks with him until he's 'well' again....and during that period, he falls deeply in love with her (and vice versa)...but she has healing of her own to do before she can believe that Fox both loves and respects her. Although the story's about healing and redemption--and must sound like heavy drama--it isn't written in that heavy a way. Phoebe is a redhead in personality--she's got a ton of spirit, would shoot anyone who got between her and the babies she's determined to help. She rescues everything in sight, including Mop and Duster--her two white long-haired dogs--and in fact, initially she can't walk away from Fox because he needs rescuing as well. And Fox has as much use for an earthy, emotional, candle-carrying oil-and-scent bearing total female like her like he needs a woman in the moon--when the story starts. His exasperation with her is more humorous than heavy, tho--and her determination to override his objections to helping him are part of the strength and humor in her character. These are two stubborn, honorable people--two really good people--who just need the right kind of love to reach them...to heal them both.