Desperate, she replies to an ad for a mail order bride from a widower in California, Aiden Roberts. Aiden has recently lost his wife to illness, leaving him to raise two small children on his own. He’s not interested in love but knows his children need a mother.

A fire has destroyed Gabrielle Dawson’s life in Missouri. Not only has she lost her parents and suffered horrible burns on her hands and arms, but now she finds herself alone, with no prospects for a job that will allow her to care for herself.

Amidst the challenges of gaining Aiden and the children’s trust, along with the physical difficulties of her terrible injuries, Gabrielle begins to wonder if things will ever get better. Then a series of thefts and a tragedy in Maple Grove challenge Aiden and Gabrielle to join in a united front as they strive to rebuild their lives.