To inherit half his father’s land, Gideon must follow the tyrant’s orders. He’s known nothing but work his entire life until Josephine saves him from a bear attack. Now he finds himself drawn to her, even though his father would never approve of a woman like her. Loving her could get him disowned. Helping her could get him killed.

Josephine is used to hate. She is rejected by her mother’s Indian family and abused by her father and his ilk. Forced to work to survive, she sees no way to escape. Gideon’s acts of tenderness are a balm to her soul. But when she is beaten and imprisoned for helping him she needs to return to her solitude. Running for her life seems like the only option.

What can Gideon do when there’s nothing good left of his life? Will he choose to chase after the woman he loves, or try to hold on to the only home he’s ever known?