The stack of amputated limbs burned itself into Doctor Carter Palmer's mind and filled his nights with nightmares. One thing kept him going those four years... the thought of returning to Rockville, Maryland and his beloved Lucy. Fate wasn't through with him. Lucy's best friend, Elizabeth told him Lucy had died more than a year previously from small pox, he was devastated. She died thinking he had been killed in action.Elizabeth had lost her husband in battle and was alone. Romance between these kindred people grew, but memories haunted Carter until he fled to Montana.Can Carter get over his loss and the memories of war? Can Elizabeth forgive him for leaving? Will they find happiness together?