Former Texas ranger Paul Harrington is now a preacher trying to amend his former errant ways. It's a constant battle to keep his previous self from surfacing. He fears that giving in to passion will open the door to the dangerous man he used to be.

Belle Marshall is a self-sufficient woman. As the town healer and manager of a boarding house, independence is hers. The role of traditional wife isn't something that appeals to her. A husband will only get in the way.

But the townsfolk of Cottonwood Bend have other ideas, and when they form a committee to find Belle a husband…well, that's something Paul just won't have.