Lucinda Hayward Duvall, of the Designer-class Duvalls on Alpha-Prime, has never quite fit the mold in her noble family. Her four sisters are more beautiful, their behavior more acceptable and their bearing far more regal than she could ever pull off. Even so, she's happy enough with her books and her routines and to fall in line with the marriage arranged by her demanding parents. Until a chance encounter with a handsome stranger at a galactic way station on a wild and wonderful colony planet makes her question everything she's ever known.

Easygoing Axel Grey, second son and head of communications for the family business at the Big Bang Truck Stop in Alienn, Arkansas, doesn't care a lick of spit for protocol or pompous off-world VIPs. On the other hand, he has all the time in the world for a captivating young woman with red-streaked hair, a mesmerizing smile and a contagious sense of wonder. One stolen dance in a convenience store doorway later and he's ready to give Lucy anything ... including his heart.

Lucy basks in Axel's admiration, blossoming under his regard like a flower starved of sunlight. In their too-short time together, he makes her feel amazing instead of awkward, a treasure instead of an obligation.

Of course, a future together is impossible. Her mother has seen to that.