In the peaceful northern California foothills town of Flynn's Crossing, Serena Williamson works tirelessly to help grieving children through her art therapy program. Even with only enough grant money to last through another year, Serena is determined to continue providing help to those in need; cutting programs isn't an option. She discovers, however, that sometimes redemption comes with a price—in this case, to save a mysterious loner based on the requirements of an equally mysterious donor. He looks like a vet, but she can't find him in any database. Soon enough, that doesn't matter; she's already filed him in her heart.
Dane Ashland doesn't want to be helped. Haunted by memories and internal demons, he knows he is better off alone, keeping his secrets—and his past—to himself. Dane builds an emotional fortress that he hopes will block out the rest of the world. But with his internal pain already evident to everyone in Flynn's Crossing, Serena steps in, hammer in hand, and soon he is relying on her in ways he never thought possible—and for far more than some work on his house.
Dane worries that she won't stay with him once she finds out about the past he so desperately wants to hide—even though Serena may offer him the redemption he needs to reclaim his life. Now he must try to overcome his self-loathing in order to help her save a future that could doom so many others.
