The scream Lena Riddle hears in the woods behind her house is leaves no doubt that a woman is in real danger. With no physical evidence, the local law officers dismiss her claim. But Lena knows what she heard. Ezra King is on leave from the state police, but he can't escape the guilty memories that haunt his dreams. When he sees Lena, he is immediately drawn to her. He aches to touch her, but is he too burdened by his tragic past to get close? When Ezra hears her story of an unknown woman's screams, his instincts tell him that Lena's life is also at risk--and his desire to protect her is as fierce as his need to possess her.