Zachary McFadden has loved Amanda Daniels since the first moment he saw her, when she was just 17 years old. Knowing the love in his heart would hold up to the test of time, Zachary waited for Amanda to finish college and grow into a woman before pursuing her. But did he wait too long? Amanda Daniels hasn't had the easiest life. Her mother committed suicide and her father fell to alcoholism, leaving Amanda to be raised by her grandmother. Early on, Amanda decided that love wasn't worth it...the hurt in her life so far had told her that she needed to protect herself because few others would. Mandy didn't want to fall in love, didn't want to need anyone again...she knew how easily people fail each other. But when her grandfather is dying, Amanda calls on Zach and in her grief, she and Zach make desperate and passionate love. When Amanda finds out she is pregnant, Zach marries her, elated to be with the love of his life and full of hope for their future together. But life has a way of getting in the way and when tragedy strikes, Amanda's first impulse is to run away, as far and as fast as she can. Zach knows that he loves Amanda with all of his heart, but will his love be able to heal the wretched beating her heart has already taken...?