Cherise wanted a quiet, normal life...something she had never had. After a traumatic loss, she decided she needed serenity, so she moved halfway across the world to the American states, to a beautiful, quaint village in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. And there, with fresh air, tall trees, and lovely neighbors, she opened a little patisserie, and settled into a wonderful, normal life. Her family had already told her she couldn't run from her destiny.

Turns out, they were right. The last thing she ever wanted was to see a vampire again. But suddenly, a very damaged one shows up, stripped of his memory, unable to keep human blood down, and in need of help that only someone with her skills could provide. Damn't! She should have known that something would ruin her perfect quiet life of solitude, gardening, and baking her incredible French pastries. No matter how desperately she wanted to send him away, he needed her. The family legacy couldn't be denied... she was born to use her empathic skills to help supernaturals bridge the two worlds. Okay, she would help him and send him on his way quickly so that she could get back to her gentle life. Of course, it figured that this vampire was more than an average vampire...he was one of the first bloods, ancient vampires...powerful, rare, arrogant. Cherise had never been attracted to the large, oversexed vampires. So why did her heart race and breath quicken when he came to her for help? Stick with the plan, she told herself, get him well and out of the village. Only it wasn't going to be that simple when she discovers he's been the target of horrible torture and abuse. It will take all of her skills to help this man become whole and well again. And maybe more of her than she's ever had to give before. Maybe she would discover that even an empath doesn't know what's in her own heart.