When a rugged stranger darkens the door of her family ranch, Martha Jean Flynn can tell right away that Ridge Longtree is nothing like the other cowboys who usually show up in search of work. In the eyes of this raven-haired, half-Indian loner, Marty sees a hint of danger, the depths of sorrow-and the tiniest spark of untold passion. And when tragedy strikes, the two must set out on a dangerous mountain trail, where they'll discover a love that threatens to set their hearts aflame.