Kora Adams did not believe in curses, but she had known nothing but bad luck all her life. Then, one night, there was a knock on her door. It was a handsome but solemn stranger with a story to tell.

Winter McQuillen had inherited a sprawling Texas ranch not far from the one room cabin Kora called home. But the only way he could claim it was if he found a wife that night. Winter had but one question for Kora: Would she marry him?

The thought of wedding a man she did not know scared Kora to death. But the security of marriage - - and even the faintest hope of love - - was like a dream come true. Kora knew she needed every bit of comfort marriage would provide. What she didn't know was that Winter needed her even more. . . .