Chance Bradshaw, the handsome mayor of

Bajada Grande, was like no one Marlis

Halden had ever known before - as rugged,

hostile and fascinating as the California

desert itself. If the handsome mayor had his

way Marlis and her ailing father would be

forced to close their camp ground at

Smoketree Wells, losing their life savings.

Fighting the insufferable Chance and the

desert she despised, Marlis discovered that

she could no more close her heart to the

enthralling desert song, than she could to

the captivating power of Chance Bradshaw.