He's tackled tough military projects in hot spots around the globe but Marine engineer Major Pete Trayhern has never faced anything as challenging as civilian Calandra Roland. Attractive and vivacious, she's definitely not the kind of person he thought would be in charge of building a crucial power station in war-torn Afghanistan. Since they have to work together smoothly, Pete is determined to ignore the instant sparks between them. But Cali's courage and disarming directness are slowly making him drop his guard--and igniting feelings he'd given up trusting. Now, with day-to-day danger the only sure thing and a ruthless conspiracy fast closing in around them, Pete and Cali will put their future and lives on the line. But will their sacrifice destroy their chance for love worth a lifetime?