Once Deborah Vaughn had loved Ashe McLaughlin with all of her heart. Then he'd disappeared, leaving Deborah with the son they'd created. Now Ashe was back, insisting she play the part of his lover. Ashe had never forgotten Deborah and the night of passion they'd shared, or the way her father had run him out of town. But as the star witness in a murder trial, Deborah needed Ashe, and he would do anything to keep her safe . . . and the safest place for her was in his arms.