Callie Stafford is an abused wife who tries to flee her husband and protect her children. Caught and punished, she still manages to turn the tables and elude the control of a psychopath. Rick Wellington was abused by his father until he was fourteen years old. Rescued and adopted, he achieves a solid foundation, yet he is a man with scars so deep he rarely talks about them. He believes that helping women who have been mistreated is his calling in life, so when he meets Callie, it's only natural for him to protect her. She's a skeptic; he's a committed Christian. She refuses to speak to her family; he lives with his adoptive parents. Yet they become best friends and each is the other's emotional support as they face memories of being assaulted by people who should have loved them. Callie's three children have their own difficulties adjusting to the many changes in their lives. Callie gives them stability and safe boundaries while Rick provides a positive male role model and gentle encouragement. Nothing can threaten their bond until Rick falls in love with his best friend, while Callie has barely noticed that he's male. And yet, Callie immediately asks him to marry her. When mysterious telephone calls and anonymous mail escalate into assault and kidnapping, the couple will learn to face every challenge by relying on one another, their family, and God.