Australian Odyssey — Pauline Saull

Ella Bickerstaff is widowed on the way to Australia in the late 1800's. Finding a stash of money on her husband, she decides to stay in the new country and invest her findings in a fruit orchard. Determined that she'll never again be tied in a loveless marriage, her willpower is severely tested when she meets her charismatic neighbor, the owner of Glen Ayre Farm, Lucas Helm. Lucas, sent to Australia on a false charge of attempted rape, has his eyes on Ella's orchard for its neverending water supply, which would be a boon to his ranch, and he sets out to woo Widow Bickerstaff. Ella, happy with her new life, nevertheless finds herself drawn to Lucas.