A young veterinarian and a difficult man have been circling each other for over a decade. Under the Southwestern sky, and with everything they hold dear in the balance, it's finally time for one of them to make a move.

Ever since graduation, when Santana Dark leaned over and kissed the brainy and shy Emma Glass, she has been smitten with the dark, brooding hunk. She thought about him while he served overseas, while she stayed home in Star Canyon, New Mexico, and tended to its animals. Now he is back, ready to retake his place with his three brothers and his spitfire of a sister at the family ranch. He'll have to be the man of his family now, as his father died in a mysterious fire that the police are still investigating.

Nick Marshall comes to town, a cousin to the Dark family though they've never met this wealthy stranger, and he claims to hold the legal title to the family ranch. Turns out Dad had more than a few gambling debts, including to the uncle his children didn't know that they had. With his world spiraling out, Santana finds solace and comfort in Emma's arms, and she finds heat and passion in his.

Santana and Emma finally have ignited the spark that has always existed between them. Now the trick will be to keep the flame from consuming them both.