Falsely accused of being a loose woman, she has nowhere else to go. His heart belongs to another, and he has no desire to become entangled.

A victim of misplaced affections, Leah Dearing dreams of starting over in Oregon where she can own land and put her past behind her. But as a single woman, she is refused a place in the wagon train, no matter that she's more than capable of doing all she needs. Desperate to build a new life for herself, she is willing to do anything-including a marriage in name only.

Stanley Keith has no intention of heading out West with a bride until he overhears Leah's plight. He knows the way will be difficult and many don't make it. To top it off, he's got a woman waiting for him when he gets there. Yet, something about her determination sparks in him, and before he's realized it he offers to let her join him on his journey in exchange for her cooking and companionship.

However, the trail is long and dangerous, and the challenges they face might be more than either realized. Especially when one of them starts to fall in love...and the reminder of another waiting for them at the end of the trail becomes impossible to ignore.