The wild Montana mountains are no place for an aging widow to live alone with dementia. And when Cathleen Donaghue discovers the poor woman's condition, there's no way she'll walk away without helping. After all, she left her comfortable Boston home to help her brothers with their mining town medical practice because she wanted to make a difference. But the wild elements she encounters on this mission of mercy are nothing like she expected, especially the widow's mountain man son who shows up out of the blue.

Trapper Reuben Scott planned only a quick visit to his parents' homestead to check on them and tan his winter hides, but the strange woman standing at his mother's stove is a shock. And then she tells him his father has died and his mother is losing her mind. The sad news may bring an end to the life he's loved--trapping, living in the wild freedom of these mountains, working closely with the Indians--no one demanding he measure up. But he'll do anything for his family, what little he has left, that is. Even deal with the city woman who seems to connect with his confused mother.

When tragedy strikes Cathleen's family, she's forced to choose between duty and the people who need her most. And the wrong decision could quickly lead to disaster. As the danger spirals out of her control, this impassive mountain man may be the only one with the skills to save her. But can she trust him with her heart, too?