To escape an arranged marriage, beautiful, proper Cynthia Harrington from East Texas impulsively marries Ricardo Romero, a striking, sensual Spaniard who ranches on the far western edge of the Texas frontier. She naively steps into a hotbed of anger, rivalry, and strong wills. She struggles to gain a foothold in the hostile household and foreign ranch community, determined to make a place for herself-but will she also find a way to make her husband love her? By marrying an "outsider," Ricardo brings down the wrath of his mother, Felicitas, on his unsuspecting bride. Cynthia must also contend with beautiful Starr Hidalgo, a wealthy, jealous young neighbor, who has always believed she and Ricardo would be married. When the Texas Rangers arrive looking for a killer, Cynthia daringly manages to save Ricardo's mother in a confrontation with the wanted man. Ricardo's bride has more grit and spunk than he ever imagined-but has she been pushed too far to stay on at the ranch with him? Can he convince her that they both want-and need-the same thing? Cynthia is in search of nothing more than what she's told Ricardo from the very beginning-a loving home and husband. But is it already too late for them? With a rough beginning to their married lives, can their love survive-and give them all their hopes and dreams?"