When she is denied tenure and discovers an unexpected pregnancy by her abusive husband, chemistry professor Dr. Ressa Hooks returns to her small Alabama hometown, where she isn't just running from her past but is also fighting to rebuild her life and protect her future.
Her fresh start brings her into the orbit of her new boss and the city's most eligible bachelor, Dr. Tuscan Sims, a straitlaced Army medic turned principal. Tuscan, initially intrigued by Ressa's vibrant independence, finds her inquisitive, free-thinking nature both captivating and challenging. This often stirs conflict as it clashes with his preference for routine and structure, which have consistently produced high-quality results at his school. This tension, however, also fosters a deep-seated respect and attraction as he senses a kindred spirit battling similar scars. His past, marked by heartache, soon makes him empathetic to Ressa's plight and protective of her fragile world.
With Ressa's job in jeopardy due to the school's conservative stance against unwed mothers, Tuscan proposes a bold solution that aligns with his desires-a marriage of convenience. This arrangement promises to shield Ressa from societal scorn while fulfilling Tuscan's long-held dreams of fatherhood. As these two forty-something-year-old divorcees navigate the terms of their sudden partnership and undeniable attraction, they embark on a journey of healing and discovery.
Can their marriage, forged from necessity and shared pain, bloom into a profound and lasting love? Or will the lingering shadows of their pasts shatter their fragile hope for happiness in a close-knit hometown where gossip and scrutiny lurk at every corner?
