Mariah Burrows has a secret—and it’s at risk of being exposed to the whole Spangler family now that her “husband” has decided to come back to her. Only Mariah’s never been married and she doesn’t even know Wes Burrows, and neither does her son.

Her grandfather, master brewer Louis Spangler, may have thought choosing a real person’s name for Mariah’s “husband” as a cover story for the pregnancy and subsequent birth of her son was a good idea given the very  remote possibility Wes Burrows would show up at the family brewery in Colorado. But it has certainly turned out to be a very unwise decision.

Wes Burrows never had a family so when he accidentally learns through a young boy’s letters that he’s been the faux father to a son in Colorado, the pull of being valued by someone in this world is too strong to ignore.  Determined to do right by the boy, he decides to become a real father to him. He didn’t think through, however, how his showing up after all these years would affect the boy’s mother and the rest of the Spangler clan. That Mariah is a handsome woman is another complication considering he’s expected to treat her like his wife and she wants nothing to do with him. As is the independent streak that has Mariah guarding herself and her son with the tenacity of a lioness.

Mariah had long ago given up any dreams of having a husband or father for her boy. Those dreams died that fateful night when she was violated by someone she knew. Her secret wasn’t just to protect her son, but to protect those she loved from finding out something that would destroy the very fabric of her family. Now Wes comes striding into her life, handsome and self-assured, and making himself right at home. Is it easier to keep the lie going since Wes seems all too eager to take on the role, or harder given she’s actually attracted to the bounder? After all, Wes may be after something more than just a boy to love. And what should she do about her secret?

Cheryl St. John has written a wonderful story of family and community and what we are willing to do—or not do—to protect the ones we love. This marriage of convenience is given an intriguing twist and unraveling Mariah’s secret will keep readers turning the pages, as will the blossoming romance between a heroine who would be at home in the modern age and a strong hero with timeless appeal.