A Middle Son Seeking His Own Way in the World… A Younger Sister Seeking the Freedom to Choose Her Own Way… Tired of living in his oldest brother’s shadow, Barrett Harden, Bear to his family and friends, accepts his inheritance from his parents, and decides to strike out on his own. Unfortunately, he must agree to the terms of his inheritance. First, he needs to find a business to purchase or start his own in the town of Silver Springs, Colorado. Bear only has three months to find a wife after he purchases the mercantile. If he fails in either venture, he must return to the ranch and work off the money he spent. His younger brother urges Bear to place an advertisement seeking a bride by proxy. Will he find a lasting marriage full of love or is he destined to return to the ranch, always living in his brother’s shadow? With the sudden death of her parents in a freak train accident, Clara Dupree is at a loss of what to do. Her overbearing sister-in-law convinces her weakling of an older brother to marry her off to the highest bidder. Unfortunately for Clara, the highest bidder happens to be the philanderer of Philadelphia. All he wants is her dowry. All she wants is her freedom. When her best friend sees an advertisement for a bride by proxy, Clara jumps at the chance to make her own choices. But will she regret her decision, or will she find love in the process? Can Bear and Clara find what they’re looking for in a marriage by proxy or will they fail with no choice but to return to their homes?