Summer's Freedom

the long version

Joel Summer knew about living with lies – his past forced him to – but loving with lies was different. Every day he spent with sweet Maggie Henderson, every time she looked at him with deepening trust, he wrestled with his deception. As their precious, innocent springtime moved toward heated, dusky summer, could he halt the churning wheels of fate, prevent the truth from escaping and keep Maggie believing in him? Her brawny neighbor gently liberated man-shy Maggie – body and soul. Days with Joel were perfect…night, breathless with splendor. Still, like the birds of prey he cared for, a fierce intensity sometimes swooped into his eyes, hinting at inner torment. But surely love would release him into joy…