Clay McKettrick purchases 1,000 acres of land in Blue River, Texas to start his own ranch. He agrees to take the town marshal's job temporarily following the demise of their marshal and arrives only 2 weeks before Christmas. Marshal Nolan has left behind a beautiful young wife and 2 precocious daughters, 5 and 7 years old, who currently reside in the house provided for the town marshal. Edrina and her sister Harriet are a handful for their mother, Dara Rose, who struggles to keep food in their mouths and clothes on their back since her husband's death. Dara has been offered marriage, albeit primarily as cook and housekeeper, by Ezra Maddox, with the condition that she give her girls to the orphanage.

The snow is blowing and the temperature frigid as Dara Rose is given until New Year's to move from the shack provided for the new marshal. Completely mesmerized by her beauty and feisty character, Clay offers marriage as a solution to her dilemma. Following the marriage in name only, Clay soon learns there is more to her previous marriage than meets the eye. Realization soon occurs to Clay that he has fallen in love with the woman. His generosity worms its way into Dara's heart as Clay shows her just how much he loves her daughters and wishes to be their father. She does not reveal her love to Clay and is unsure of his feelings toward her. The question is, can she settle for a marriage of convenience and no love?

Another tale of the McKettricks of Texas features Clay, who breaks away from the McKettrick clan and the Triple M Ranch to strike out on his own. Leaving behind a woman he loves who has turned to his cousin at their first argument, he plans to begin his ranch, marry a good and tough woman and begin his family. He hadn't expected to have the wind knocked from him at the first glance of the Nolan widow. Edrina is a delightful little girl far older than her age and with a definite mind of her own. This is a wonderful Christmas story of two people finding love at an unexpected time. A real page turner full of entertainment!