Burns’s tender seventh Rescue Me romance (after To Be Loved by You) stars former high school sweethearts Riley Leighton and Levi Duncan alongside a diverting cast of four-legged creatures. Both Riley and Levi have been running from their feelings since their disastrous prom night breakup 12 years prior, Riley moving from “job to job, city to city, guy to guy,” and Levi living out of hotel rooms while working as a commercial diver. When Riley’s mom is diagnosed with cancer, however, Riley returns to her hometown of Webster, Mo., and lands a short-term job at the High Grove Animal Shelter. Meanwhile, Levi suffers a career-ending injury, learns from his best friend that Riley’s in town, and drives back to St. Louis to see her. The lovers reconnect and their chemistry rekindles while their friends urge them to listen to their hearts. Burns avoids overburdening her lovers with angst; instead, older and wiser, they take their time getting to know each other again, recognizing that life has given them a second chance neither wants to miss. Against this quiet backdrop, Arlo, a Great Dane left at the shelter, steals the show. Burns’s fans will enjoy revisiting Webster, and new readers looking for a simple, kindhearted romance will be just as pleased. Agent: Jessica Watterson, Sandra Dijkstra Literary. (May)