Raylene Hammond returns home to Serenity and the Sweet Magnolias following the imprisonment of her husband, Paul, for assault and abuse on Raylene. Traumatized after the subsequent loss of the child she was carrying, Raylene is agoraphobic and now lives with her friend Sarah and her two small children, Tommy and Libby. A year later, Tommy wanders out of the yard and Raylene is helpless to venture beyond her safe haven in search of the child. Hunky deputy Carter Rollins returns Tommy after extensive efforts by the town to find him, full of criticism and dislike for the snob Raylene and for her allowing this to happen.

New in town, Carter has come to the small, close-knit community of Serenity with his two teenage sisters after the death of their parents. When Carter learns the true facts about Raylene's situation, he feels respect for her and they eventually fall in love. Then they receive news of Paul's release and his anticipated revenge for his incarceration and humiliation. Carter strives to help Raylene overcome her phobia and provide protection from Paul, while convincing her she can learn to love and live again.

Raylene's bout with agoraphobic has given me a broader understanding of this disturbing illness. Carter is an amazing character; handsome and romantic, but more understanding than most of the men I know. This is another of Sherryl Woods' Sweet Magnolia novels.