She’s escaping from a cruel and tortured past. He is haunted by his childhood and his cruel older brother. When destiny brings a desperately unhappy little girl into their lives, can they find a way to show her the love that she so desperately deserves and, in doing so, find peace within their own hearts… Emily Quinn lives an unhappy life. Her mother died when she was young, and she was left in the care of her brute of a father, a person who treats her little better than a servant. Emily is weary but her resolve has not been broken. She believes that there is a better life out there somewhere, she simply needs to discover it. After journeying to Juniper, Montana, Emily becomes rancher Frank Carter’s mail-order-bride. The life that she has always dreamed of is finally coming true. The couple are in love and set forth on their life together. That is until Frank’s older brother arrives, bringing with him his damaged and vulnerable daughter, Melanie, then leaving the poor waif behind as he heads for the Californian Goldfields. Gradually, their love grows for the unruly girl and they begin to see her as their own daughter—until one fateful day. Can Emily and Frank find a way to keep Melanie safe from her cruel and uncaring father and stop her suffering the same fate as Emily, and in doing so create the perfect family?