Avery Robinson decided to be a physician after helplessly watching her mother lose a battle with a terrible disease. Now, at risk for developing the same illness, Avery guards her heart from love. Contract Wes Garrett is hiking the Appalachian trail when an illness fells him and he collapses on Avery's doorstep.

Contractor Wes Mathews is hiking the Appalachian Trail in honor of his recently deceased best friend when he falls terribly ill when he's nearly finished. He stumbles into Riverbend Gap, the nearest town, and finds himself indebted to the doctor who owns the clinic. In lieu of payment, he proposes a trade that will keep him in town-- and away from obligations to his best friend's sister-- for several weeks. Avery Robinson became a physician after watching her mother lose a battle with a terrible disease. Now she is at risk of developing the same illness. As Wes and Avery begin moving into unexpected territory, each will need to confront their past in order to share the future. -- adapted from back cover