The bargain is struck—his name and protection for her medical skills to help his younger brother Dr. Abagail Metler’s life is full taking care of her patients and extended family. She isn’t looking for a husband. But life isn’t easy, or safe, for a female doctor in the young and rowdy, gold rush town of San Francisco. Marshal Cade McKenzie has his hands full raising his sick, younger brother and tracking down a gang of killers. He sure doesn’t have time for a wife. But Abby and Cade need each other to solve a problem, and as hearts become involved and the gang of killers try to use a wife of convenience to lure the marshal into a trap, their bargain turns into a fight to save each other and a love that may have no chance to survive.