Mary Clinton arrives out west with dreams of marrying her sweetheart-only to discover he didn't wait for her. Stranded and heartbroken, she stumbles upon a terrified child wandering alone and escorts her home, where she's mistaken for the girl's new governess. With nowhere else to go, Mary accepts the role, and the chance to rebuild her crumbled future.When Simon Alexander returns from his business trip, he's immediately suspicious. He never hired a governess-and after losing his wife, he's vowed to protect his daughter from any threat. But his little girl has already fallen in love with the mysterious Mary, and Simon realizes he desperately needs help raising her. Against his better judgment, he lets her stay, despite his doubts.As Mary finds purpose in her new role and Simon's guarded heart begins to thaw, an unexpected attraction blooms between them. But when the man Mary came west for returns to threaten her, everything she's tentatively built threatens to crumble. Can Mary prove to herself she's worthy of a chance at love? And can Simon learn to trust again-before he loses the only woman who's made him want to?