Thrust from one hardship into another and bearing the survival of herself and her sister on her shoulders far too young, Mara Brown has all but given up on things of faith. Liam Pratt is a small-town Colorado sheriff intent on keeping the peace in Mud Lake and living a peaceful life. Inspired by his brother's match, Liam sends off for a mail order bride from Mrs. Miller's agency in New Orleans, but his bride is nothing like he expected. She's beautiful, that much is certain, but she's pricklier than a porcupine and doesn't even pretend to share his faith. What's more, she just may be guilty of arson. The smart thing to do would be to delay their vows at least until things get settled, but one look at the exhausted and underfed young woman in front of him fills him with an unexplainable need to protect her and keep her close. Can the two of them find common ground despite all the things pulling them apart, or will tragedy strike before they get the chance?