In one short month, cheerful army nurse Madeline Bright has become the darling of Prairie Springs, Texas.

And if ex-pilot Jake Hopkins isn''t careful, she might just conquer his heart. She''s young, pretty and blithe-spirited…he''s older and jaded. But being around Maddie brings back too many painful memories. Jake still feels guilty about failing to save Maddie''s brother in an army helicopter crash years ago.

So no matter how much Maddie wants to be in his life, for her own good, Jake can''t allow that. He''ll never have a normal, stable life. And sweet Madeline deserves nothing less.