Laura Shelton’s father has issued an ultimatum–find herself a husband before the end of the year or he’ll find one for her. She knows every single man in their small town in Michigan, and the thought of being tied to any one of them for the rest of her life fills her with dread. But what else can she do? Widower George Cowan is struggling to run his ranch and raise his six-year-old daughter, Betsy, alone. When her teacher points out that she acts more like a boy than a girl and suggests he marry again, he finally admits to himself that Betsy needs a mother. Even though he has no interest in loving another woman, he goes to Miranda Weaver to ask for her help in finding him a bride.When Laura learns of a friend planning to become a mail-order bride, she decides to do the same. After all, marrying a stranger can’t be any worse than marrying any of the men she knows now.Laura is happy with her new life with George, and finds herself falling in love with him. As time goes by, she begins to suspect he feels the same way about her, but when near-tragedy strikes, she discovers her new life isn’t as perfect as she thought.Can she live the rest of her life without love, or should she give up her dream of a husband who loves her and walk away?