Reviewed by Brenda for Readers' Favorite

Imagine you're a young woman of 36 who longs for a family so badly that you decide to answer an ad where a man is looking for a wife and mother for his two children. In 1889 that's just how Maggie Ferguson wound up with a husband and two children. Shortly after marrying R.T., he decides to uproot the family from their Texas home and move to the Arizona territory.

After three weeks on the trail, water is running out, so R.T. decides to leave the wagon and scout for water. When he fails to return, Maggie begins to worry because she knows she is going to have to do something. When a man comes limping into her camp, she thinks it might be an answer to her prayers. Charlie Yates and Maggie strike a deal: he will lead them out of the desert, and she will share her supplies. When they run into a band of outlaws who know Charlie, she learns of Charlies past. As they travel through the desert Maggie wonders about her husband, but also feels pulled toward Charlie. Will Maggie ever learn what happened to R.T., and how will she deal with the feelings she has for Charlie? Read this fantastic book and find out!

The author weaves a tale that pulls the reader in immediately. I could easily imagine the worry for water, and the fear and worry Maggie felt being stranded in the middle of the desert, while being responsible for her two stepchildren. She also had to reassure the children about their father, while she continued to wonder what had happened to him.

Maggie marries not for love, but so she can have a family; but then when someone comes along that she can love, she feels guilt because, even though her husband is missing, she is still married after all. I could easily understand why her stepson, Jerome, acted out like he did; he felt as if someone else was taking his father's place. Charlie was quite an interesting character who had issues from his past which had to be dealt with before he could ever embark on his future. The story flows quite smoothly, and just when I thought the author was wrapping it up, she throws in an unexpected twist that made for a great ending.

With vivid descriptions and characters that are easy to relate to, the author also weaves in an inspirational message that makes this historical romance a book that you won't want to put down.