Determined to give her son Jeremy the childhood he deserves Chloe Evans has left a tough past behind and is starting fresh in the charming resort town of Jack Pine Oregon. But protecting Jeremy becomes a dicey proposition when he seeks out the most dangerous man in town Ben Longtree to heal his sick puppy. Chloe has been warned to stay away from Ben. But there's something about him at once gentle and untamed that intrigues her.... Long ago Ben accepted his role as the town outcast. Rumored to have once killed a man he lives in splendid isolation with his forgetful mother secretly employing his skills as a veterinarian to heal the wounded wild animals that mysteriously come to him. Now Chloe's sunny warmth and brave tenacity arouse desire he has long deified. And although Ben is notorious for his healing touch it is Chloe's hands ... and heart ... that have the .power to save his battered soul.