At the age of twenty-two, Tessa Branigan has already been married and divorced, and entering into another romantic relationship is not an option. She's perfectly content working as receptionist for Tanner Veterinary Clinic, owned by Preston and Toby Tanner, twins she's been friends with since childhood. Preston Tanner has asked her to dinner more than once, but she always finds an excuse to beg off. Unexpectedly, Sean Barfield returns to town to spend time with his family for some much needed R and R. Tessa is not happy that her heart goes ballistic whenever he's around. She's known him since she was twelve and they palled around together. To keep her wayward heart in line, she avoids him as much as possible. Besides, what would a famous musician like him see in a small town girl like her?

Sean Barfield escapes the fast life to regroup in the town of Paxtonville in Colorado where, as a teenager, he visited his birth father for a few weeks each year. But if he's honest with himself, he's also returning to see the girl he first met when he was fifteen. He's always had a crush on her, so her marriage only a year out of high school came as a shock. But now she's divorced and living back in her hometown. The problem is, Tessa keeps avoiding him. When a job opening to work as a ranch hand for her father arises, he applies for the position and is hired. He'll even muck horse stalls to prove he's just a regular guy.