Raped at seventeen by the son of a prominent Senator, Jackie Adkison is forced to marry her abuser. The only thing Jacob Gorham's father can't afford is a scandal, so the young parents-to-be are whisked away to Virginia to escape gossip that could end Amos Gorham's political career. Now, twenty-three years later, Jacob is caught embezzling and commits suicide. But that's only the beginning of Jackie's woes. Her beautiful daughter has vanished. Broken and penniless, Jackie leaves Virginia to return to her Alabama hometown. Years ago, Bubba Knox was in love with Jackie Adkison when she mysteriously dropped out of high school and moved away, setting the rumor mill into motion. Until recently, no woman since Jackie has turned his head. Was it reaching the big 4-0 that caused him to consider the wasted years-or could it be no one came along who could make him forget-until beautiful Greta Pugh showed up in town?