Joy Anderson was innocent, young, and trusting when she met Gabe Venture. An aspiring journalist with worlds to conquer, Gabe came to New Mexico to explore the natural wonders of Lost River Cave, with Joy acting as his guide. Surrounded by staggering beauty, they both surrendered to a passion too powerful to deny-and Joy gave herself freely to the most extraordinary man she had ever known. But Gabe was destined for great things, and even the intensity of their shared feelings could not bind him to this place or this romance. And so he left Joy with memories, a broken heart . . . and, months later, a cherished, if painful, reminder of their lost love: a daughter.
Seven years have passed, and Joy -- now a respected professor -- has put what once was behind her, though the memory will always remain alive in the light that shines in the eyes of her beautiful child.
Now Gabe, at the pinnacle of his profession, having tasted the fame and adventure that lured him away, has returned. The opportunity to revisit the endangered Lost River Cave -- and a second chance at the young love he so heedlessly tossed away -- is something he cannot let slip by. But the Joy awaiting him is not the same naive and eager innocent he once left behind. Worldly and
