The story starts by introducing Ivy Conley, an 18 year old college student and her older sister Rachel. Like many of Palmer's heroines, Ivy is an innocent young woman in contrast to her to her vicious and vindictive drug addicted sister Rachel. Rachel is beautiful and charming when she wants to be. She's convinced many people in the town of Jacobsville, that shy Ivy is the bad seed of the family.
Even those who should know better don't realize this isn't true, especially the girls' father, who has recently died. Mr. Conley is a mean drunk and believes all of Rachel's lies and makes Ivy's life miserable before and after he dies. Leaving everything to Rachel when he passes away, Ivy is left to fend for herself, which she does admirably.
Ivy's best friend, Merrie is the only one who knows the real Ivy. When Merrie invites Ivy over for a weekend of studying, rest readers get to learn more of the story of Ivy's life. Ivy is leery of going to her friend's house because Ivy knows that Merrie's brother, Stuart, isn't fond on Ivy. He too has believed the stories that Rachel has told about the girl and disapproves of the girls' relationship.
Stuart learns quickly in the story that he shouldn't believe everything he hears, but not quick enough before he makes a heavy pass at the young girl and then hates himself for it. Stuart isn't as old as many of the heroes in Palmer's stories. Usually Palmer's men are in their late 30s already hardened by women. Stuart doesn't have that excuse. Although he is 30 and to Ivy's 18, he believes he is way to old for the younger girl, whom he quickly realizes is innocent.
He becomes guilt ridden by his feelings for the young woman. Readers learn early on that Stuart's life hadn't been a bed of roses either. His father wanted him to be someone Stuart didn't want to be and it caused many physically and mentally abusive arguments over the years before his father died. Stuart's character isn't quite as strong as many of the men of Jacobsville. He is, however, just as stubborn. Giving Ivy a very clear message, he pushes her out of hisife for two years. When he thinks she might be interested in someone else he quickly changes his mind and moves to draw her interest once again.Although it has only been two year, Ivy has grown quite a bit. She's finished college and starts her own little business. She keeps busy and has attracted the interest in long-time Long Tall Texans' character Sheriff Hayes Carson.
Hayes invites Ivy to a dance and Stuart doesn't like that one bit. Readers of Diana's books will know exactly what this means.
Throughout the rest of the books, Ivy needs to deal with the loss of her drug addict sister and the trouble she leaves behind. Stuart's behavior during most of the rest of the book is wishy- washy at best and a little childish. For someone who was worried Ivy was too young he didn't do much of a better job handling the situation. The familiar plot line seems like an old friend with just a few minor variations. This book connects to Palmer's Mercenary series mentioning familiar names of characters and leading readers into Palmer's next book in that series. Several characters from the Mercenary series are also from Jacobsville.
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