Hooked

what?”
    “A double-ring ceremony and couple of weeks in the Caribbean, sunning and deep-sea fishing. Sound good to you?”
    “I could probably go for that.” He chuckled. “And then what?”
    “Then you’ll move out to Atlanta and take over the Damon’s store there…and my brothers-in-law will get their family discount…and you’ll have weekends free to fish and help me train Mickey, and we’ll drive over to Vanderbilt for ball games….”
    “Damn, woman, you’ve got it all planned.” Finn faked annoyance. “What do you need me for?”
    “When we get back to the cabin I rented, I’ll show you,” she said, giving him a lush, inviting kiss. Then she caught his gaze with hers and sobered for a moment. “I’m not the same woman you knew, Finn. I’m a little lopsided and there are scars….”
    He started to protest, but she put her hand to his mouth.
    “But what I have, what I am, is all yours,” she continued, letting him know that she’d made peace with her body. “For now and for as long as you want me. You’re the one person in this world I want to spend my life with.”
    “I love you, Stephanie Steele.” He held her against him, sharing the warmth, the sunshine, the cool breeze, and savoring the love he had thought he might never have in his life. “Whatever comes, we’ll face it together.” He kissed the tip of her nose and turned her toward the bank. “Come on, I can’t wait to see this cabin you’ve rented.”
    And as they slogged out of the water, arms around each other, he looked down at her and wagged his head.
    “Ye gods, woman. What have you done to a perfectly good set of waders?”
    “Ruffles,” she said emphatically, fluffing the fabric she had tacked on to the bib of her waders. “And don’t try to tell me fish can see I’m wearing a few extra inches of fabric.”
    “I won’t.” He threw back his head and laughed. “But don’t blame me if other fishermen won’t come within a hundred yards of you.”
    “That’s all right by me.” She laughed and hugged him fiercely. “The only fisherman I want is the one that almost got away.”

Dear Reader,
    When Harlequin first approached me about writing this story for Casting for Recovery, I was surprised and a little puzzled. Fly-fishing and breast cancer? I told my fiancé (an avid fisherman) about the possibility, and he immediately saw the connection—gentle casting motions, time in the healing realm of nature, and the camaraderie of other breast cancer survivors. I was soon convinced. And if I hadn’t already been convinced, my first conversation with Donna Fischer, of Casting for Recovery would have done it.
    Donna is a powerhouse of positive and a wonderful ambassador for CFR. She shared with me her story of breast cancer and recovery (eight years and counting!) and her introduction to the organization. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003 and ran through the gauntlet of tests and treatment, including chemotherapy and radiation. Her positive attitude and determination saw her through the process and she remains cautiously cancer-free.
    Donna heard about Casting for Recovery through Banner Health in Arizona, where she works as an executive assistant. The CFR retreat she participated in (2006) reinforced her commitment to survive and to help other women do the same. That same year she became a volunteer and now serves as program coordinator in the Arizona chapter of CFR. She and her family started and continue to sponsor a fundraising Bunco tournament, and she is responsible for the formidable task of overall stewardship for the Arizona retreats.
    From participant to active volunteer, Donna is personally motivated by the empathy she shares with women breast cancer survivors. She understands the fear, isolation and uncertainty that comes with a cancer diagnosis. She is committed to inspiring other women to face their futures with confidence and determination. Whether she is speaking with bikers on a motorcycle run or embracing women arriving at a CFR retreat, she exudes enthusiasm, respect and compassion for all involved with the program. She makes those around her want to be better people.
    Breast cancer affects one out of eight women in America: 288,130 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011, and 3,9520 women were expected to die in 2011 from breast cancer, though death rates have declined since 1990. Chances are, you or someone you love will develop breast cancer during your lifetime.
    I