The California Chronicles 1888-1891EMMELINE AMITY CALLAHAN a feisty charmer with a needy heart. Emmeline's an ugly duckling. At least that's what she thinks, that is until she receives a gift that leads her to California's Big Valley where she makes a surprising discovery. QAUID DEARBOURNE a tough and tender cowboy. He's passionate about keeping his land in its original wild glory. Sparks fly when his irresistible new neighbor covers her acreage with perfectly even rows of fragrant, flowery trees. MERCI BYRNE a troubled young woman as wild as the wind. When she discovers the ugly secret of her birth, Merci disappears, forever, she hopes, to a place that is empty and dead. Her journey is dark, but Merci finds the One who will never let her go. Meet three members of the Byrne and Dearbourne families you'll never forget...