Schoolteacher Emma Davenport was just the sort of woman Joe Sutter avoided. She was sweet and sincere--and pretty as a picture--but Joe had his own deep-secret hurt to deal with. Getting involved with Emma wouldn't be fair--to either of them. And yet, something wouldn't let him walk away .... Having lost her dreams of happiness, Emma knew that love was a precious gift. If only she could convince Joe to believe in it, as well. For if any man was meant to foster her hopes--and father her babies--it was Joe. And she'd walk through fire to prove it to him ....