Rose McGregor flees the post-civil war south as a mail-order bride, with no other hope than to have a home of her own, a full stomach, and someone to take care of her. She never expected to find more pain and hardship than she's already suffered as her past catches up with her future. Least of all does she expect to find a love far beyond her wildest dreams in the arms of the stranger she has sworn to honor and obey.

Chris and Holly's relationship is finally perfect. With no gangs to harass them, the only thing they have to worry about it keeping their relationship a secret from the student body and faculty at school. Simple enough. Except when have things ever been that simple for these two? Cue in the appearance of two new students and new troubles. The new girl isn't who she seems and the new boy seems to have a thing for Holly. And Chris. Meanwhile Chris is finding it harder and harder to stay away from Holly in school. Keeping their relationship a secret suddenly becomes ten times harder. And to top it all off, Jeremy has a big surprise for every one.