Darcie Stevenson was on the verge of receiving a marriage proposal. She had just been given lead on an important project at work. Life couldn't get better, and it certainly couldn't go wrong. That was the view of an "avoider," according to her best friend because Darcie's life fell apart in one day.

Now unemployed and single, Darcie moves to a small town to a house that stinks of cat urine. She's sworn off men and determined to start over and face challenges with eyes wide open. Then she meets Buck Murphy-angry, bitter, unfriendly. The entire town hates Buck and claims he's murdered his wife.

From the first moment Darcie meets Buck, she's drawn to him. Buck wants nothing to do with either Darcie or the rest of the town. He's happy building his furniture and having his dog as his only friend. But Darcie can't leave Buck alone, and when misfortune falls on him, she's in the right place at the right time.

Buck makes Darcie a proposition. She sees a way to help herself while helping Buck. She'll keep her head on straight and not fall in love. But how can sparks not fly when the two of them spend hours together every night, hand in hand.