When Sunny Thornton's ranch is placed in jeopardy as the prize in a ruthless takeover, she realizes she must now stand on her own two feet. She must keep the ranch, for her father's memory, for the future of her three younger sisters, and for herself. With her hands full, she has no time or inclination to take on anything else. Until she learns that no one in town is taking care of Ash McCord, who was shot in the back and paralyzed saving her life during a bank robbery. She owes him her life. What does she care if the town disapproves of her taking in a convicted back-shooter who has just spent five years in prison. She cannot turn away from him, even when he tries, repeatedly, to push her away. As far as Sunny is concerned, Ash paid for his crime. Not only does she owe him her life, she cannot resist the pull of his brilliant blue eyes, his hard, lean body, both of which stir her deepest desires and set fire to her passion.
Ash McCord knows he has to protect golden-haired, headstrong Sunny Thornton from her enemies, and from himself. He can't let her know how much he wants her, how much he's coming to care for her. He must protect her, and at the same time, uncover the truth about his unjust imprisonment. Clearing his name has been what he's lived for for five years. But first, he must learn to walk again; he will not tie her to a cripple. And when he does walk, will he have the strength to walk away from Sunny, as he knows he should—she's too good for an ex-con—or will he yield to her soft caresses, her sweet, sweet lips, and lose himself forever in her boundless love?
