A widow with no future in Chicago, Jessie Barton bundles up her three young daughters and leaves for Texas. Jessie's in- laws blame her for their son's demise. They despise her and threaten to take her children from her. Jessie's only recourse is an uncertain welcome from Texan Teagen McMurray. For years, Jessie has been corresponding with the rancher. Through his letters, Jessie has come to love this man. Her one problem is Teagen believes the author of the letters is Eli, Jessie's husband. Eli owned the bookstore where Teagen ordered his books and initiated writing thoughtful letters about his beliefs and life. Eli never paid attention to the letters, but they became Jessie's escape from her cold, harsh reality.

After the death of his parents, Teagen McMurray raised his siblings and kept the ranch going from the tender young age of 12. A big man with a gruff demeanor, Teagen does not make friends. The one exception is the correspondence he's kept with Eli Barton. Now Eli's widow arrives with a note begging Teagen to care for his family. Teagen, never comfortable around people, cannot believe that one small woman and three small girls are going to temporarily stay with him.

Teagen's world turns upside down. Quiet solitude disappears as Jessie and her three little girls melt his heart. Before, Teagen believed that the land defined him, but now the possibilities of having his own family could become reality. Only there's a growing suspicion that Jessie is keeping something hidden. Jessie knows when Teagen discovers the depth of her lies, their relationship could be destroyed.

Ms. Thomas excels at drawing readers into her characters' lives. She looks deeply into their hearts making readers see the best and the worst as they struggle against the harsh Texas landscape. The anticipation builds for the next Whispering Mountain novel. (Hopefully, the next story will feature the fascinating Sage and intriguing Roak.)