"…a memorable…masterful tale! You won’t want to miss a page!” —The Literary Times “4 stars. Troubled heroes are nothing new in romantic fiction, but Ms. Orcutt has elevated this archetype to a new level of excellence.… Add vivid description to a fast-moving plot and read until done.” —Romantic Times Samantha Martin Growing up on the Kansas prairie, Samantha Martin had two to love God and to marry her childhood sweetheart. But the War between the States took nearly her family, her home, and Nathan, her love. When he returns six years later, she is shocked to discover he’s no longer the gentle boy she adored. Instead, Nathan Hamilton is a physically and emotionally scarred man on the run, dodging charges of theft…and murder. Nathan Hamilton Long ago, Nathan dreamed of seeing the world, becoming a doctor, and making Samantha his bride. But instead of adventure, he encountered tragedy and made choices that ravaged his life. Now Nathan seeks peace and freedom in Samantha’s arms—while she strives to lead him into the embrace of the only One who can provide true refuge for his Fugitive Heart.

Seeking to leave her troubled past behind, nineteen-year-old Elizabeth Cameron decides to join a religious group in Belton, Texas, where she and her five-year-old Indian charge will be hidden from a cruel world. Former gunfighter and robber Caleb Martin will do anything for a governor's pardon, even if it means escorting an irritatingly prim young woman. After this assignment, he'll have his freedom. Yet along the way, he learns that there may be something he needs even more.