Yesterday's secrets endangered her dreams. But nothing could keep her from loving him today, tomorrow-and forever. Only her defiant pride kept her from begging for his love...Behind her proper schoolmarm ways, sunny blond Mercy was the same sassy spitfire she had been as a child. An orphan raised by the Quill family with her foster brother Danny, she had always had a quick temper and often needed the loving protection of her big brother. Now she was a woman-and running to Danny again. Two Kentucky bounders had ridden into town with a stunning secret about Mercy's past, one that could separate Mercy and Daniel forever. Surrounded by danger, she would recognize her desperate hunger to have Danny claim her, not as a sister, but as his wife. She knew he would stand by her against a town's cruel whispers and fight against an enemy who wanted her dead. But, if she dared to declare her love, would he respond with his dependable brotherly kindness-and break her heart? "A bestselling author and gifted storyteller" -Chicago Sun-Times "Dorothy Garlock is the undisputed grand mistress of the frontier novel. With simple eloquence she gets to the real heart and soul of her characters and leaves you with a wonderfully warm feeling." -Kathe Robin, Romantic Times