Emily Cannon is not the mail-order bride Luke Becker sent for, and certainly not the one he believes he wants. The tall, plain teacher has taken another’s place. She has come to Oregon with the veil and gown her sister was to have worn to marry Luke. But she has nowhere else to go and no other prospects.
Widower Luke Becker needs a mother for his young daughter, and despite Emily’s deception, he hasn’t the heart to turn her away. He accepts her as his wife for the sake of his girl, but offers only his name and shelter to the proud, vulnerable stand-in. Yet each has lessons to learn from the other, lessons about love, understanding, and tenderness.