The Cottage on the Corner

McCoy’s second Apple Valley smalltown contemporary (after The House on Main Street) is sweet as pie. After a heartbreaking marriage to a cheater, Charlotte Garrison gives up on love, makes tasty treats for all the town’s special events, and dreams of opening her own bakery. Although Sheriff Max Stanford has endeavored to remain unencumbered by romantic entanglements, that resolution is turned on its ear when a flaky girlfriend dumps three-year-old Zuzu on him on the way to Vegas, insisting she’s his daughter. Max turns to Charlotte for help , and Charlotte opens her heart to the precocious and mischievous little girl. Max thinks there’s room for him as well, but Charlotte’s afraid of being hurt again. Plenty of smalltown characters chime in as the story meanders gently along like a switchback two-lane road up a country hill. Agent: Melissa Jeglinski, Knight Agency. (Aug.)