Annalisa is hurt and alone in the forest when Austin Blackwell, searching for a missing calf, discovers the girl and inadvertently frightens her into hiding under the local waterfall. The beautiful landmark is said to help God hear people's prayers, and Annalisa prays for rescue. Austin however is all she is going to get, and he follows her, tells her she is on his land, and then grudgingly knows that he has no choice but to help a girl with a broken arm to get medical help. Annalisa tells him she fell while hiking, unable to admit that her abusive, controlling boyfriend James quarrelled with her during a long drive and she had to jump out of his car.

Austin takes Annalisa to town where she is fitted with a cast, but as she has no money or phone he buys her painkillers and takes her home to his sister. Cassie is kindly but no house-proud girl and prefers ranch work. So to repay their hospitality, Annalisa cleans the house and cooks, even one-armed. Growing braver, she decides to seek a job in Whisper Falls and the snack bar takes her on for a trial. The locals have rebranded the town to draw tourism and are preparing for a pumpkin festival, but the single men are quite willing to pay attention to a new lady. All is going so well until James shows up - but Annalisa isn't the only one with a hidden past, and Austin realises that he is going to have to come clean with the girl, even if it means losing everything.

RANCHER'S REFUGE is a positive story despite the wrongdoings of some characters, and shows how a community builds on strength. The touchy subject of a controlling partner is sensitively raised, and some women who do not realise how their partner has alienated them from their friends and family may find the tale resonates with them and they should make changes. The romance is gentle and can be read without blushing, and the strength of Linda Goodnight's writing lies in the detailed descriptions of the landscape, wildlife and town.

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