Silver Thaw — Natalie Bishop

Three years earlier Blane Landers suffered the agony of watching the woman he loved endure indignity after indignity at the hands of her husband. Then, dead drunk, Neil Evans drove into a ravine, leaving Mallory alone, broke, but with acres of Oregon's prize Christmas trees -- ready for harvest. Despite the difficulties facing her, she refused any help from hint

Mallory wasn't the helpless woman she'd been three years ago. Experience had turned her into a tough landowner, and she knew a con man when she saw him. She'd trusted Blane's warm, dark eyes once. She wouldn't make the same mistake again.