Shade Cornwall did her best to help her mother and siblings escape that maniac known as her father, but she'd never acknowledge that. Their run ended abruptly when he tossed a Molotov cocktail into their moving vehicle. Her mother was burning, and it was all she could do to help save her and her siblings from the burning vehicle. As it ended up, her mother's prognosis for survival didn't look too good.

Cliff Tate had just returned from a long stint out of the country. It felt good to be home. He didn't hesitate to take in the kids from the burning vehicle while the driver and their mother were rushed to the hospital.

Shade had no trust in men. Her father had seen to that. Cliff seemed to be a good man, but she'd had enough of men to last her a lifetime....