The search for love... A sordid past... Starting over... I've finally graduated from college and am excited to begin my dream career in law enforcement. After the final betrayal and heartbreak of my college boyfriend, I'm moving back home with a firm plan in place for my life. However, the life I had carefully mapped out for myself took a serious turn. I now find that I not only have to be strong for myself, but for the daughter who hadn't been part of my plans. Determined to still believe in true love, life throws me a wicked curveball. When I meet Jace Lawless, a hot minor league baseball player, those aqua eyes and big dimple have me unraveling my carefully laid plans. A man with a secret he's hiding from me-a secret I'm determined to find out before I let myself or my little girl get tangled with him any further. A minor league baseball career... The Marine Corps Reserves... My new startup business... I've been called an overachiever on more than one occasion. After serving my country in the Marines, and then receiving my college degree, I was picked up by a minor league baseball team, all while continuing my service in the Reserves. When a beautiful, breathtaking single mother named Miranda Cates walks into my life, my instant attraction to her takes me by surprise. Her vague past and beautiful little girl are the conundrum that both confuses and fascinates me, and I can think of nothing but them. Miranda doesn't know of my most proudest achievement-my time in the Marines. I want to tell her, but her past has made her refuse to date military men, so when I can't bring myself to tell her I'm still in the Reserves, that soon becomes my biggest regret. Am I going to lose her forever once she finds out? Playing the Field is the 3rd and final installment of the Duty & Desire series. Contains adult situations and minor scenes of war, with no cheating and a guaranteed HEA. DUTY & DESIRE SERIES: Patriotic Duty Tour of Duty Playing the Field Publisher's Note: This book was previously published as just Jace's story. A recent decision was made to combine his and Miranda's story (formerly published as "Boots Beneath My Bed") into one, essentially creating one big book instead of two. We believe their story is told more cohesively this way, and really hope you enjoy it as much as the author has enjoyed telling you their story.