In 1875, Anya O'Ryan Stockwell runs from her husband of two years in an effort to escape his abuse. Two years later, her illusion of safety is shattered when Brandon Monroe enters her boarding house. Even the sheriff, Lowry MacLaughlin, doesn't understand the fear Bran inspires because he doesn't know Anna's history -- or that she's married. If Jeremiah Stockwell knows her whereabouts, she'll have to run again. Bran knows immediately that Anna Runyon is the woman he's been paid to find. Now, however, desire keeps him from fulfilling his contract. When Stockwell is killed on the way to claim his wife, Anna asks both Bran and Lowry to help her experience love for one night. By dawn they all know that one night isn't enough to answer her fantasies. Or her happiness. Only the determination of both men -- and their guns -- will do that.