Jake Maxwell has lost his Texas cattle ranch to squatters. If he doesn't get his cattle to market, he'll lose them too, but he can't find any cowhands. Isabelle's orphans aren't a good solution, but they're the only one he has. He just has to make sure he doesn't fall in love with Isabelle or become too attached to these homeless boys.

Isabelle Davenport is determined to find homes for eight unwanted orphan boys. When they're caught between an abusive situation and going to jail, she turns to Jake, a man she neither trusts nor respects. She wants warm, loving homes for her eight orphan boys. She thinks Jake's ranch is the perfect situation but he's the wrong man. She agrees to go along on the trail drive to protect the boys. She quickly discovers the rules she learned growing up in Savannah society don't work in Texas.