Life hasn't been easy for honky-tonk guitarist Guthrie Woodson, but he's practiced at enduring the bad times and treasuring the good. He's been in love before, and while the guy just got married, Guthrie figures that now that he knows what love is, he'll recognize it if it comes his way again. Which makes his attraction to Tad Hawkins, the Sacramento cop who has been showing up to Guthrie's weekend gigs, all the more dangerous. Tad's had troubles of his own, but he's always felt loved. Trying to coax Guthrie, his snakebit guitarist, into his arms is an exercise in patience, but Tad has experience with that. His sister, April, is in addiction recovery. He can take it slow if it means he'll get to keep some "Guthrie goodness" for himself. But then Tad has an accident and Guthrie's forced to take actions that leave his vulnerable heart exposed. Tad must fast-track his plans to gentle Guthrie in his life, and Guthrie needs to clear out the history holding him back. Can they forge a solid future on the shifting sands of fortune, or will Guthrie's past and Tad's present break them apart before they have a chance?