His skills can save her; his looks could destroy her.

When young widow Erin McCaskill loses her husband—a man older than her own father—she's thrust into the daunting role of leading a clan and raising her child alone. Unprepared and mistrusted by her tenants, the McCaskill Estate teeters on the brink of financial ruin.

Enter Caillen Johnstone: tall as a mountain, with the build of a warrior and the mind of a scholar. Introduced by her late husband's cousin, Michael, Caillen is cold, calculated, and utterly brilliant in estate management. As tension crackles between them, Erin can't deny the results he brings—or the unexpected stirrings in her heart.

Forced to spend more time together on a critical trading journey, Erin's resolve begins to waver. Michael cares for her son, giving her a taste of freedom she hasn't known in years. Yet falling for Caillen could jeopardize everything—her reputation, her son's future, and the trust of her people.

When a new suitor enters the picture, Erin turns to Caillen for guidance. His advice not to remarry leaves her reeling. Is he protecting her—or harboring secrets of his own? As loyalties blur and passion ignites, Erin faces a deadly dilemma: is her greatest ally her deepest threat?

Amid the wild beauty of the Scottish Highlands, Erin must choose between duty and desire. Will she risk everything for a chance at true love, or will she guard her heart to save her legacy?