The tragedy of the Civil War had forced Lauralee Johnston into an orphanage, and years passed before she found her beloved father and heeded his dying wish: that she place her trust in the handsome Cherokee brave, Joe Dancing Cloud. The sheltered Lauralee was wary of unfamiliar Cherokee customs and of Dancing Cloud's powerful, exotic presence, but he gradually gentled her with quiet strength...teaching her about the kind of passion they had in common...lighting the fires of love as he claimed her for his bride. But the bond forged between this bronzed, proud man and shy, beautiful woman was rattled by the prejudice and hate swirling around them...as a red-haired Yankee villain from the warn-torn past threatened to tear their union asunder. Yet this venomous enemy was no match for the fierce power of two lovers defending their one glowing dream, their destiny...