Desperate

the long version

Ex-Texas Ranger Rafe Bodine had thought he could leave the violent life of a lawman behind and settle down on his ranch. But Hank Slaughter, a ruthless murderer from his past, shatters that dream when he savagely murders Rafe's family. Now Rafe's on a mission of revenge. He doesn't count on meeting Emmaline St. Joseph, a stubborn philanthropist leading a group of orphans to a new home in California. But Emmaline needs Rafe's help and he reluctantly agrees. Along the way, Emmaline learns how to survive in the wild and Rafe learns to trust his life to another. Together they discover a desire that transforms their world.