Wanting to put her nursing degree to better use, Marleigh joins an organization to provide medical services to small villages in Africa. Excited for the new adventure, she's unaware as to what awaits her on her first solo trip for supplies — armed men seeking revenge.
Thinking fast, Lance Reynolds, a copper mine owner, pulls the pretty woman into a hiding area to save her from the gunmen. Knowing who is behind it, he tells Marleigh they must present to be married in order to save their lives. However, a pretend marriage turns very real when the gang leader demands they have another ceremony to satisfy his curiosity.
Marleigh and Lance spend a lot of time together in the evenings, visiting and getting to know each other, to help make their marriage appear to be real. Both of them have growing feelings for one another, when an illness spreads among the villages. Unable to get the outbreak under control, the medical team fears the villages are lost, until Marleigh, quite accidentally, stumbles over what might be the answer.
In order to protect her, Lance is determined to send Marleigh away, regardless of their growing feelings for each other. Will they be strong enough to find their way back to each other? Or will the harsh African life separate them forever?