In the celebratory mood of the recently-ended Civil War, Sarah discovers her betrothed has been keeping a devastating secret.

While the tiny town of Wabash, Indiana, celebrates the end of the fighting, Sara Montgomery attends the parties, but inside she's fighting a deep sadness. The love of Sara's life, Rand Campbell, didn't come back from the front.

So her brother and ailing father persuade her to pledge herself to another man-despite her misgivings. When Sarah finds out that Rand is in fact alive-and that her fiance Ben Croftner knew it-she indignantly breaks off their engagement.

Croftner doesn't take rejection lightly-and a single woman with a sick father makes an easy target. He abducts Sarah, his intentions anything but honorable. Then Rand comes to her aid . . . only to reveal that he has been posted at Fort Laramie, Wyoming, and asks her to go with him as his wife.

Will Sarah leave her dying father's side for the only man she's ever loved? And what plans are forming in the jealous heart of Ben Croftner?