Something unusual catches Kinley Rankin's eye as she searches the local paper for work:

"Farm widower, early fifties, looking for an arranged marriage contract with willing partner."

The gentleman in question, Nels Swenson has a lot on his mind these days. After the mysterious death of his first wife, Mary, his wounded, lonely heart is still raw. The effort to keep his farm consumes his every waking minute, leaving little energy for everyday chores and definitely no time for traditional courting.

Kinley is also in desperate straits. Now that that her job has moved out of state,...