Just a Kiss - Denise Hunter

Just a Kiss is the third book in the Summer Harbor series by Denise Hunter.

About the book:

Riley Callahan’s plans to reveal his secret feelings for his best friend are derailed when his life is drastically altered in Afghanistan.

Watching the love of his life fall for his brother was enough to send Riley straight to boot camp. But over a year later, he’s officially a marine, and Beau and Paige are no longer an item. When Riley’s tour in Afghanistan is up, he intends to confess his feelings to Paige and win his best friend’s heart once and for all.
But all that changes when an IED takes the life of a comrade and leaves Riley an amputee. Now he’s heading home, injured and troubled. His plans to win Paige are a distant dream. She deserves so much more than the man that’s left. All he can do now is put some healthy distance between them. But upon his return he discovers his family has arranged for him to stay with Paige.
Paige is a nurturer at heart and happy to take care of her best buddy. By all appearances Riley is adjusting miraculously well to his disability. But as the days pass, Paige begins to see that the smiles and laughter are just a mask for the pain he’s hiding. To make matters worse, her job is in serious jeopardy. The animal shelter that she’s poured her heart into has lost its funding, and she has three months to come up with the money needed to save it.
As the weeks wear on, Paige’s feelings for Riley begin to shift into uncharted territory. Why is she suddenly noticing his arm muscles and the way his lips curl at the corners? Will she be able to deny her feelings for another Callahan brother? And will Riley let his heart heal so he can let Paige in?

My Review:

As already mentioned in The Goodbye Bride, Riley plans to return home and finally tell his best friend Paige that he's in love with her.  After all, he originally left because he couldn't handle the fact that she was going out with his older brother.  But now she's single - and just waiting for him to claim her.  Paige of course has no idea or her best friend's feelings toward her, especially since she was half-drunk during the only time he kissed her, during one of the lowest points in her life.  She didn't remember the kiss that she has so willingly responded to and he never mentioned it again.  Riley's good intentions are derailed when he loses a leg.  Paige deserved better than that.  When Riley returns he finds the farmhouse's lower level under construction and his old room off Zac's Roadhouse gone to make room for a larger kitchen.  He's stuck bunking in Paige's main-floor master bedroom.  All good for her - she loves taking care of her best friend.  Not so good for him.  He's struggling with his feelings towards her and constantly being bugged by how overprotective she's being.  He's too stubborn to accept help, even if it means falling down all the time.  Riley knows that he needs to get out of Paige's house and her life.  They can never be more than best friends - no matter how badly he might want to.  He has plans to move away just as soon as his leg heals.  Until he starts falling for Paige big time.  She goes out with her boyfriend, Dylan, and he's stuck at home, entertaining thoughts of jealousy and acting like Paige's father in front of the guy.  But just as he's starting to tell Paige about his feelings for her, he realizes that he can't protect her like she deserves.  She needs someone stronger and more worthwhile in her life.  Riley is angry and frustrated and Paige's stress over work doesn't make things any better.  Finally Riley walks out - for the second time.  It's a time of soul-searching for each one.  Can Paige be content just to be friends with the man she loves?  Can Riley ever view himself as a whole man again?  And will Aunt Trudy ever 'kiss and makeup' with Sheriff Danny Colton over decisions made so long ago?  I enjoyed The Goodbye Bride more, but this story was also very cute.  I love how Aunt Trudy has such an impact on both Zac and Riley.