Mouse

Sixteen-year-old Maxine Marmarino is stronger than she looks. She's grown up Italian to the core in the Big Apple, just her and Dad against the world. He's been her champion and that's enough for her-until he dies. Max is cast adrift in the Social Services network of New York City with nothing to her name except what she can fit in a backpack. When she's shipped upstate, armed with her father's leather jacket, his army shirt, and an attitude that is much bigger than her, she'll feel as small as a mouse. Forced to leave everything she's ever known behind, Max doesn't know if she can cut it in this strange place with a man she's never met. Clay Thatcher is titanium tough. It's been his best friend since he lost his leg in Operation Desert Storm. Life has forced him to be strong, but he's still not sure he's strong enough to go on after losing the love of his life. He has no clue what to do with a teenager. His best friend, Ray Marmarino, saved his butt on the other side of the world over twenty years ago. The least he can do is return the favor for his daughter. Clay has a feeling it's going to be the hardest thing he's ever done. When the City Mouse is forced to become the Country Mouse with no turning back, Max and Clay will learn a valuable lesson. They might not be able to fix the shattered pieces of their past, but maybe they can build a new beginning. If they are brave enough.