She had narrowly escaped the lynch mob that unjustly hanged her foster father. Now lonely Willa Hammer had nothing left - except her dog Buddy, her faith in herself, and the protection of a strange, secretive family. She joined their wagon train, headed West...never realizing that she was traveling into the wilds of the Bighorn Mountains, where a rundown, intrigue-ridden ranch and the arms of an untamed, hardened cowboy awaited her. Haunted by his past, he could infuriate Willa, hurt her - and love her...if both dared to risk the gentle giving of their hearts.