Caught between a noose and a gold mine cave-in, Tulsa Sanderson must do anything within his power to prove his outlaw brother's innocence...even if it means marrying a gold miner's daughter he just met. Tulsa needs every nugget and flake he can pull from beautiful Charmlee's worn-out claim, but he sure doesn't need a wife Charlotte Amalie lost her heart, her virtue, and her money to the last disreputable outsider who passed through her peaceful California valley months ago. She has no desire and no choice but to wed the handsome stranger who arrives, bearing a mysterious letter that will change both their lives forever. Charmlee and Tull each have plans of their own. He's set on raising quick money to save his brother's life-a secret he isn't going to share. She's determined to leave the valley to find a new life for herself and medical treatment for her own brother. Marriage would put an end to the plans they've each worked so hard for, but is there a bigger dream for the future ahead that they can't see? Trusting comes hard for them both, but Charmlee realizes it's the only way to stake her claim on what's really important- CLAIMING HIS HEART.