In the midst of the vast, windswept Texas plains stood a ranch wrested from the wilderness with blood, sweat and tears. It was the shining legacy of Thomas McBride to his five living heirs. But along with the fertile acres and herds of cattle, each would inherit a history of scandal, lies and hidden lust that threatened to burn out of control.

Lauren McBride had left the Circle M as a confused, lonely girl of fifteen. She returned a woman--beautiful, confident, certain of her own mind. And the last thing she would tolerate was a marriage of convenience, arranged by her pa to right past wrongs. Garret Lassiter had broken her heart once before. Now only a declaration of everlasting love would convince her to become his bride.