It’s December 1910, and Coleson, Texas is buzzing. A new hospital is being built just north of town, by none other than Dr. Iagan Coleson himself. But Dr. Coleson is not doing it alone.

Dr. Oscar Collins lives for medicine. At thirty-two, he’s brilliant, accomplished, and utterly bored with life. He wants something new—a legacy. So when his best friend, Dr. Iagan Coleson, calls him to Coleson Hollow days before Christmas, Oscar leaves his shiny automobile behind and rides into the Texas countryside, ready to embrace progress.

It doesn’t take Oscar long to realize he’s been duped. The promise of building a new hospital? Just a lure. Iagan has a bigger scheme in mind.

Four orphaned women, newly arrived from Scotland, are under Iagan’s care.

In a county where women are few and men are rich, matchmaking is practically a sport—and Iagan has his eye on Oscar as the perfect player. Wealthy, respected, and single, Oscar is everything a matrimony-minded young lady could want.

Talk about feeling hunted!

But Beatrice Ardis, youngest of the Colesons’ houseguests, is no damsel waiting for rescue. She’s been looking after herself since a mining disaster stole her family at fifteen. Moving to America with her friends was supposed to be about freedom and new choices, not becoming a project for Iagan—or a puzzle for Dr. Oscar Collins.

Beatrice can’t decide if the arrogant, too-handsome doctor is trying to help her or insult her, but she knows one thing: she won’t let him see how much his attention rattles her.

Oscar is equally puzzled. Beatrice isn’t what he expected. There’s a fire to her independence, a sharpness he can’t ignore. And everything about her is justfascinating.

For the first time in years, he isn’t bored. Hes fascinated.

But when an old enemy of Oscar’s resurfaces, it’s Beatrice who may just pay the price.