Having found her freedom from an abusive relationship, Jessica Messing seeks to make her living from her art work. In the late eighteen eighties, in a small California town, it isn't going to be easy. Her love for her cousin, Jacob Standford is stronger than ever. Their last, secret meeting was filled with passion and promises. He vowed to make a better man of himself and stop his wild gunrunning days. Yet, it's been months since she's heard from him.
When her uncle Burt introduces her to the handsome, blond, Caleb Catrell, she begins to feel something that riles her. She proceeds cautiously as they are drawn together through her uncle's friendship with the man.
New to town, Caleb is determined to find his peace on the Rail River above Clermont City. With no intention of getting involved with a woman, he can 't help from falling in love with Jessica.
As her and Caleb's relationship grows and blossoms, Jessica remains hopeful Jacob will find his way back to her, but as her hope fades, she decides to move forward and marry Caleb.
Caleb's land offers a different life for a young woman who knows nothing of milking cows, tending to a garden, or feeding chickens. She is drawn to the beauty and it becomes the inspiration for her paintings which are selling in the region and beyond.
Adapting to the wilderness was not what her wealthy mother had in mind for Jessica and she travels from Hartford, Connecticut to retrieve her daughter.
An unexpected event shakes the foundation of this family and sends Caleb back into the wild to search for his wife. Jacob and Jessica meet agian under circumstances that leave them vulnarable to the love they share for each other.
Secrets will be uncovered that threaten Jessica's faith in the men she loves and change forever the future of her family. Her strength and courage will be tested beyond her limits as she navigates the paths of lies and deception.
