Ashleigh's Dilemma is a unique and character driven short piece of fiction about a modern and independently minded woman who in her mid-forties believes that love is behind her - and just as well. She does not need a man in her life; her life is full, mostly career driven, and she declares herself 'happy'. All is well until a violent storm knocks down a large pine in her backyard taking the power out. Next morning she calls for a tree service company to clean up the mess which in turn leads to meeting Patrick - a most unusual man, she agrees; an arborist, and a man who ultimately falls in love with her turning her life upside down.Ashleigh's Dilemma is an interesting and often engrossing story of an intriguing and highly complex woman and her inner mind and motivations. The reader often wants to reach into to the page to shake some sense into her - and then marvels with her as her love unfolds and grows. Her first instincts of Patrick are correct - he is a most unusual man. He has the ability to recognize at a glance the beauty within her despite the armored walls she places without. He grows to love her for whom she is, and often despite who she is. They have lunch together; they go for a hike; lunch again, until having lunch together becomes routine. She opens the door leading into her private life just a crack and he tries to push through, asking question after question about what she feels, what she likes and doesn't like, her family, and her friends. She rebels, the strange 'newness' of his affection and inquisitive nature causing her to reject him without hesitation and unequivocally - or so it seems. The story becomes a revelation of her inner mind and how she struggles inwardly to accept Patrick. It traces through the 'agony and angst' of each step in their relationship. The reader smiles at her naivetes and innocence, and sometimes cringes at her supercilious nature, but often cheers her onward as she takes one tentative step after another surprised by her many insights into the nature of love. A good read and highly recommend for anyone, male or female, young or not so young, who finds the complexity of the inner mind and heart a fascinating place. For the price, you can't go wrong.