Eireann is the last survivor of her family after the Civil War. The war has been over for almost two years, and there has been no word of her fiancé, Callen McKeegan. Anxious, she writes to his family in Montana and is promptly sent the means for her to travel to them. They, too, have been waiting for news about Callen. The McKeegans embrace Eireann, but her heart cracks a little more each day, while Callen is missing. Aiden McKeegan is the eldest sibling. He seems distant until an orphan girl, Christy, plops down on his lap and calls him Papa. Several mysterious misfortunes occur while they wait for Callen. When he ultimately appears, he’s furious when Christy calls Eireann Mama and Aiden Papa. Callen blatantly refuses to claim Eireann as his bride. Regret and heartbreak are unearthed in this sweeping love story of two people who are destined to be together but deny it to themselves and each other.

Mallory, a wagon train attack survivor, opens her own cafe and also feeds the hungry, is being bullied into marriage. Brayden finds this to be unacceptable and rides to the rescue. Unfortunately, his involvement invites scandalous gossip. Mallory has no customers, and she needs the money she makes to feed the homeless. The only way to rectify her reputation is marriage. Brayden is a planner, and their first night, he draws up a plan for the way they will live. Mallory uses his plan to start the morning fire. Their many trials bring them together, and they form a strong friendship. Mallory, having been attacked, hates to be touched, and Brayden wants nothing more than to hold her and show her she is safe.