Althea Ford lives alone with her invalid sister in a dilapidated Oregon farmhouse. Still paying for sins of the past, she needs help to keep the dwelling from collapsing around her. Help arrives with Jefferson Hicks, the former town sheriff who is now as rundown as her home. Neither of them is happy about the situation, and neither has a choice. Allie expects a solid day's work for a day's pay. What she doesn't anticipate is the reawakening of dreams long buried and desire she's never known before.

Jeff Hicks is at the bottom of a barrel, looking up. Fate visited him with a vengeance when a single incident turned his life upside down. Guilt and failure are his constant companions, but hope flares in him when he goes to work for Allie. As much imprisoned by the past as she is, he realizes that love might heal his numb heart and give him reason to live again.

But spiteful enemies are eager to keep them apart, and they must confront old demons if they are to survive.

Winner of several awards, including RT's K.I.S.S.Award.