To onlookers, Carrie Ann Bell Collier might appear to be the dutiful wife, sitting at her unconscious husband's bedside. But she feels like a hypocrite. Instead of trusting her intuition, she allowed herself to believe Peyton was dead. And then she fell in love with his best friend, Eli Kent. Except, Peyton wasn't dead, and now Carrie will do anything to keep him alive. While at City Point, as her husband lay dying, Carrie meets a nurse who claims to be able to work miracles. Hearing her out, Carrie's hope rises. Doctors had given up on Peyton, so Carrie hires the woman and makes plans for all of them to return home as soon as Peyton regains his strength. CSS Lieutenant Colonel Elijah Kent has loved Carrie Ann since he met her a year ago. However, now that Peyton is alive, he promises Carrie he will not continue to pursue her. With Peyton near death, Eli finds it difficult to completely forget her and their plans for the future. But he does his best to focus on the ultimatum that General Ulysses S. Grant has offered him. USA Colonel Peyton Collier awakens to intense pain and utter confusion. Why did his body hurt so badly? His leg, his back ... his head. What was his name? His rank? Why couldn't he recall? And who was the stern-looking female standing over him with a hypodermic needle in her hand?
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