The Accidental Guardian

When Trace Riley discovers a devastated wagon train—attacked by the same ruthless group that destroyed his own family years ago—he can't turn away from the survivors, especially the fierce, resourceful Deborah who single-handedly protected her younger sister and two small children through the chaos. Offering his remote mountain home as shelter for the winter seems like the right thing to do, but nothing could have prepared this solitary man for the way Deborah and her small family begin to thaw his carefully guarded heart. As they work together to seek justice and survive the harsh season, Trace and Deborah discover an undeniable connection that deepens with each passing day—yet they both know that when spring arrives, their worlds will pull them in different directions. This is a tender story about second chances, found family, and the question of whether love can be enough to overcome the distances that separate us.