At the earliest hint of dawn, Lily Jensen is caught prowling in the backyard of an elegant house, dressed in black from head to foot, a tool belt strapped to her waist. Things look bad for Lily when the owner, Jonathan Chamberlain, ac-cuses her of trespassing with intent. But instead of having Lily arrested, Jonathan invites her to dinner. Lily enjoys Jonathan's company, and his persistence is flattering. She accepts his offer to accompany him to a party, but once there, she feels like a tomboy in high heels compared to the other elegant women. Lily flees the party, telling Jonathan she could never belong to his world. Throwing herself into her growing gardening business, Lily tries to forget Jonathan, but she is miserable. Lily's heart tells her that Jonathan is a man who knows her deepest soul and loves her for it. Will she find the courage to let him lead her into a new life?

The small town where Rachel Evans and her husband are raising two daughters is close to Toronto's theaters and shopping yet still near to forests and fields where the very active family loves to mountain bike, hike and ski. If not outdoors, Rachel likes to read historical novels and contemporary literature. After working for the local school board and a stint as a piano teacher, she finds writing far more exciting. An avid gardener, Rachel maintains a tangled garden at her northern cottage and believes flowers, indoors and out, are an essential part of life.

Down the Garden Path is her first novel for Avalon.

Avalon Career Romances by Rachel Evans:
TRUE NORTH
DOWN THE GARDEN PATH
LOVE RUNS TRUE
WORDS OF LOVE