Fleeing an abusive boyfriend, Stephanie ends up in the sleepy coastal town of Sargent, Texas. With nothing more than the few clothes she was able to get out with, she finds a job at a greasy spoon restaurant, a place to live and new friends. Captain Jack, owner operator of The Sea Gypsy tug boat, finds her irresistible but skittish. Can he break through the wall she has built around her? Slowly like a rose opening, the love between them grows.

Her life falls into routine and she finds happiness. All is well until the nightmare from her past shows up, ready to drag her back to Dallas, whether she wants to go or not. He finds not the timid rabbit she was, but a strong self-sufficient woman. Having decided not to be the victim any more, she takes self-defense classes in martial arts and applies for a permit to carry a gun.

The old boyfriend will not take no for an answer.