Betrayed by her parents and her criminal husband, naive young widow Carrie Wagner flees her home in Columbus, Ohio, to follow her dream of starting over in California. Even though she’s sworn off men, Carrie is determined to carry on and adopt orphans, creating the loving family home she longs for. But, when an uneducated, foul-mouthed, stowaway, twelve-year-old Billy drops into her life, her dreams are one step closer to being answered.

When handsome JT Grant saves her, setting her nerves tingling and testing her sworn celibacy, she’s determined to push on, not trusting her heart after so many betrayals.

Ex-Pinkerton detective JT Grant has pledged to avenge the death of his best friend, Hank Lipton, a man who saved his life twice. And then he meets Carrie. She’s an ornery woman who needs protection, but she’s also alluring in a way he cannot resist. JT finds himself falling for the petite, chestnut beauty, but he faces a conflict because his heartbreaking secrets could keep Carrie from her goals.

Beset with hardships, chased by criminals, and under constant threat of death, these two strangers form a bond forged by heartache and desperation. Together, they seek truth, justice, and the fulfillment of their dreams.