He's too old, too damaged, and too set in his ways. She's too wild, too young, and too damn proud. But out in the raw heart of Oregon, they might be exactly what the other needs. When Dyani, a sharp-tongued Cayuse healer with no intention of ever loving a white man, accepts a job at Riven Blackstone's ranch, the last thing she expects is Butch Farran-grizzled foreman, Civil War veteran, and the most infuriating man she's ever met. He orders her around. She ignores him. He growls. She smirks. But Butch has a secret: the day Dyani walked onto his land, he knew she was his. He's already bought the ring. Already started building her a cabin. She doesn't want a man. And he doesn't deserve love. But somewhere between blood and dust, wildfire and winter, they find it anyway.

In the untamed American frontier of 1870, 17-year-old Noemi is sold into marriage to Riven, a hardened Civil War veteran with a reputation as a ruthless cowboy. Scarred by his past and burdened with the responsibility of inheriting a sprawling ranch in Oregon, Riven is determined to keep his new bride at arms length. As they journey across the treacherous Oregon Trail, bound for a life neither of them envisioned, Noemi's fierce spirit and innocence begin to thaw Riven's hardened heart. Despite their rocky start, an unexpected bond forms between them, filled with moments of playful competition, mutual respect, and a deepening attraction that neither can ignore. But the trail is fraught with dangers, both from the wild terrain and the ghosts of their pasts. As they face the challenges of survival together, Noemi learns to harness her own strength, demanding to learn the skills that will allow her to stand beside Riven as his equal. Along the way, she uncovers a softer side of the man she's bound to, while Riven is forced to confront his fears of vulnerability and the possibility to love. Yet, as they near their destination, the question remains: can they truly leave behind the pain of their pasts and forge a future together on the unforgiving frontier, or will the harsh realities of the Wild West tear them apart before they even have a chance?