She has loved him since she was nothing more than a spindly little girl…

Grace stayed behind in Bethany, Oregon to eventually become the town’s schoolteacher. And now that she’s all grown up, her heart aches for the love of a family -one that she doesn’t believe she’ll ever find…until he comes home.

But Connor is not the same young man he was when he left home all those years ago.

He thought she was nothing more than an annoying little girl…

Connor left to find his calling and an adventure along the way. What he found instead was a pain so deep, that no one but God can heal it.

Finally back in town after years away, Connor knows his scars will keep Grace at a distance. Or at least, they should. He isn’t the man she thinks he is. No matter how much he wants to be. Not with his scars, and certainly not with the guilt and shame he still carries over that day.

But when two children need Grace’s love, will Connor step up and help like the man Grace believes he is? Or will he let someone else be the man in her life?

Can the schoolteacher and the blacksmith find a way to finally be together?