Beyond the White River — Kristen McKendry

Faith Frisbee fled Mustang, a small western town, years ago after a devastating event that could have broken her. Now she has returned, a strong, independent, and compassionate woman -- and she's brought with her a flock of unwanted and orphaned children she's collected the way other women gather flowers by the roadside to raise as her own on her remote farm. Joe Condie is intrigued by this tough, independent woman and her boys and, after numerous rejections, finally wins Faith's resistive heart. But with Joe's marriage proposal, Faith feels vulnerable all over again. Faith has forgiven and healed from the terrible wounds of her past, and she wants to be Joe's wife -- but not until she can trust him with her darkest secret.

When Faith gets up the courage to reveal what has happened in her past and that the man who caused her troubles is still freely walking around Mustang, Joe must find it in himself to forgive and let go of his anger before it drives a wedge between him and the love he's fought so hard to win.