Michael vowed to always protect Jamie Coulter. From the time they were children, he was her hero. But as they grow up, he begins to realize that he is the biggest threat to her of all. Constantly running from his ghosts, he cannot be with her because he fears hurting her. So, he leaves Whispering Creek and Jamie behind.
Fate brings them back together, and Michael discovers the truth behind a secret Jamie has been hiding for five years.
When he forces her to marry him, he hopes to finally put his ghosts to rest, once and for all, and have a life with her. But he only succeeds in pushing her farther away.
Jamie swore five years ago, after the last time he walked out on her that she would hate Michael Sullivan for the rest of her life. She plans to run away to keep him out of her life forever, but when she is blackmailed into marrying him, she refuses to have a real marriage with him and is determined to escape.
When Michael's past catches up to them it could mean life or death for Jamie, and only Michael can save her. But is he willing to sacrifice himself for the woman he loves?