The provided text is an extended excerpt from a romance novel titled Sean’s Reckoning by Sherryl Woods, which is identified as book #1495 in the Silhouette Desire series. The story focuses on the evolving relationship between Sean, a firefighter with a troubled past regarding his biological parents, and Deanna Blackwell, a single mother to her son Kevin, who works hard after losing her home in a fire. The narrative tracks their initial cautious attraction, complicated by Sean's over-protectiveness and fear of commitment due to his upbringing, and Deanna's struggle with her independence and her estranged relationship with her own parents, eventually leading to the two confessing their love and becoming engaged. Subplots include Kevin's hero worship of Sean and the development of a turbulent romance between Sean's friend and coworker, Hank, and Deanna's friend and roommate, Ruby.