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Indentured to a despicable tavern owner, Jade can hardly believe her continued misfortune when her contract is sold to a reticent bear of a mountain man.
Cole McCayne knew he couldn’t leave the determined beauty in the clutches of Miles Craven. And besides, he needed someone to care for his motherless son. But when the village padre refuses to release her to him unless they marry, Cole surprises himself and the priest by agreeing. Cole has no intention of exercising his marital rights, however. His heart went cold when his wife died giving birth to his son. For nine years he’s been too numb to feel anything—for his son or any woman.
Forced into a marriage of convenience, they both draw boundaries to close the other out. But the boy Ramy and the helpful ranch hand Kyle crack Jade’s wall while Cole becomes more irritable, more demanding, works her hard, works himself hardest of all as he struggles against the subtle power Jade seems to exert over him.
Though Jade’s patience is stretched, there is something about Cole’s strength, his protectiveness and the vulnerability he doesn’t always successfully hide that attracts her despite her misgivings.
But when Cole’s estranged Sioux half-brother appears on the scene nursing a grievance concerning Cole’s former marriage, violence ensues. The threats bring a new layer of complexity to Cole and Jade’s relationship and demands they give more to each other than either is ready to provide.
Ms. Mahailoff has created characters who have both depth and poignancy, characters that pull the reader on an action-filled journey of discovery—and romance. A story that examines betrayal, loyalty, trust, and, most importantly, the nature of love with enough plot twists and turns to keep you reading.
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