Reed Quarrels had never been able to gain his father's approval. A true rancher, unlike his brothers, he'd left the Curly-Q and had run a ranch for a stranger. Now he was back. Now was his chance to prove himself to his Pa. All he had to do was marry the daughter of the banker who held the overdue mortgage on the ranch. Alcina Dale had loved Reed for what seemed like forever, so when he proposed a marriage of convenience, she decided that this was her only chance to be with him. When surprising passion pulled them together, they became aware of a plot that threatened not only the ranch, but their lives.