Northern California, 1875: For as long as she can remember, Emeline Wainwright has taken care of others. She keeps house for her father, Sheriff Amos Wainwright, and spends most days gardening, sewing, and tending to the needs of her neighbors. It's a good life, one she knows Amos sacrificed greatly to provide for her. He would be happier if Emma were married, but she is content to remain single.
Then a rugged stranger arrives in their peaceful valley. Clay Barrister is nothing like the men in Thurmond, and within just a few days, an undeniable chemistry sparks between Emma and the gunslinger. Their acquaintance quickly deepens into more. But what Emma doesn't know is that there is a dark and violent past between Clay and her father, a history Amos has hidden from her. The first encounter between the two men reignites a long-held quest for vengeance, quickly spiraling out of control and leaving none of them unscathed.
Devastated, Emma must find the strength to stand between the two men she loves. Only a bold act of courage, and a mercy neither Clay nor Amos believes they deserve, can heal what has been broken. But when an unexpected danger threatens from beyond Thurmond's borders, forgiveness may come at a cost far greater than anyone is prepared to pay.
Internationally bestselling author Francine Rivers has published numerous novels—all bestsellers—and she has continued to win both industry acclaim and reader loyalty around the globe. Francine has received many awards and honors for her work including induction into the Romance Writers Hall of Fame and the Lifetime Achievement Award from American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Francine's novels have been translated into over 35 different languages, and she enjoys bestseller status in many foreign countries. She and her husband, Rick, enjoy spending time with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.