Home on the Ranch Books

HOME ON THE RANCH "Jan Freed writes with spice and flair! An exciting new voice in contemporary romance." —bestselling author Susan Wiggs The H&H Cattle Company, near Gonzales, Texas Scott Hayes— He's the owner. Scott's a hardworking cattleman who's got a reputation with the ladies. Not that he has any time for womanizing these days. Fact is, Scott's putting in twenty-hour stretches, now that H&H is down to one hired hand. And the word around these parts is that H&H is teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. Margaret Winston— When Scott calls her a princess, he doesn't mean it as a compliment! Still, Maggie has a few choice names for Scott, none of them pretty. That's because Maggie knows Scott from the old days and there's bad blood—and a good horse—between them. HOME ON THE RANCH

HOME ON THE RANCH "Ellen James writes with warmth, wit and style. I look forward to each new book." —Debbie Macomber The Blue Mesa Ranch, near Stillwell, New Mexico Hallie Claremont— She's the Blue Mesa's owner. Not that this is anything to brag about as far as Hallie's concerned. She inherited the place, and even she—who knows nothing about ranching—can tell the ranch needs work and lots of it. Still, she doesn't have any choice. With no money to her name, an adopted baby and a rebellious teenage brother to support, Hallie is now a rancher in the making. Of course, she's also a mother in the making, but she can be both—she's sure of it! Too bad that Hallie's new neighbor Dr. Gabe Miller doesn't see it that way. But no, the handsome doctor persists in seeing Hallie as a crisis in the making. Still, that doesn't explain why he's taken it upon himself to set her straight! HOME ON THE RANCH

HOME ON THE RANCH Judith Bowen has a "talent for spinning a powerful story." —Catherine Spencer Westbank Ranch West of the Blue River, Wyoming Fraser McKenna is the owner of Westbank Ranch. Strong, too silent, a still-grieving widower. Martha Thomas is the woman who comes to stay. Martha's at loose ends, her job "downsized" out of existence. She's a city woman driving through the western states, looking for adventure. Then, in a small-town Wyoming newspaper, she sees this ad: WANTED: Lady Companion for two girls. Remote location. No cooking/housekeeping required. On a whim, she applies for the job—and gets hired. That day, her life starts to change, and so do the lives of Fraser and the two little girls. Who would think she'd end up married to the rancher from Blue River? Even if it is a marriage of convenience, a marriage for the children's sake. And even if she has to do the proposing herself….

The Silver Dollar Ranch, near Tombstone, Arizona Rancher Wyatt Earp Bodine is a third-generation rancher here—and he's also the local sheriff. But he's never had a case like this before! Someone's left a skeleton in Boot Hill, Tombstone's famous graveyard. An old skeleton. The person who happens to find it is forensic investigator Caro Hartlan—which seems more than a coincidence. Needless to say, she offers to help the handsome sheriff figure out who done it—and why. Their search uncovers a trail of betrayal and deceit, a trail that leads them to an old crime buried deep in Tombstone's past. A trail that leads to kisses as well as clues—and to love as well as lies. HOME ON THE RANCH

HOME ON THE RANCH Romancing the West! Cheyenne Moon Ranch in the Texas Hill CountryThe Cowgirl and the City Slicker She's all Texas spunk and sass. Her love is the land—her father's legacy. Nothing else can catch her eye until he washes in on a Texas flash flood. He's the cousin of the man she almost married. Smart, savvy, sexy. He's also the only man who can save her land. Elise Zoe Winston and Colin Majors, brought together by a night of passion—bound together by a murder that sets central Texas on its heels.

"Settle down for a warm, wonderful read by the talented Roz Denny Fox!"—Kristin Hannah The Lone Spur Ranch Crockett County, Texas Lizbeth Robbins has been following the rodeo circuit for the past six years, learning the farrier's trade, dragging her little girl from town to town. But now her daughter's in school and Lizbeth needs a more permanent job. She's relieved to find one at the Lone Spur: shoeing Gil Spencer's quarter horses. Even if it was his foreman who hired her and the man himself doesn't want her anywhere near his ranch! Gil Spencer hates rodeos—mainly because his ex-wife loves them. While he was busy pulling his ranch out of the red, she was busy pursuing a career as a champion barrel-racer. Worse yet, the ex-Mrs. Spencer abandoned her husband and their twin sons for the dubious charms of some bronc rider. So the last person Gil wants on the Lone Spur is a former rodeo employee. Even if Lizbeth Robbins is the most attractive woman he's met in years. Especially then

The Kay Ranch near Alta Colorado Erin MacKenzie considers herself a candidate for the Dumped by Cowboys Hall of Fame. Especially since she was stood up by rodeo cowboy Abe Cockburn, the father of her baby daughter, Maeve. And then there's another cowboy - Erin's own father, rancher Kit Kay, whom she's never even met. Who's never acknowledged her. Erin makes a risky choice: she goes to Colorado to tell Abe about his daughter. And to tell Kip about his. She goes to Colorado to find the truth about cowboys - and about fathers.

Home on the Ranch By the author of She Caught the Sheriff The Silver Dollar Ranch, near Tombstone, Arizona Morgan Bodine takes pride in two things: being a rancher and being a lawman. He's part owner of the Silver Dollar Ranch; he's also Tombstone's acting sheriff. Jasentha Cliffwalker is proud of her Apache heritage. And she's proud of her work as a biologist. Jaz is living on Bodine land; in fact, she grew up on the Bodine ranch, where her father still works. Jasentha, who's become something of a recluse for reasons she won't discuss, has devoted her life to studying and protecting the bats that live in the Silver Dollar's caves. Years ago Morgan and Jasentha were in love—but it was a love they weren't ready for. Are they ready now? They'll find out when a stranger comes to Tombstone, threatening everything they value most…. "Anne Marie Duquette's romantic thrillers are truly thrilling, full of exciting action and suspense." —Tess Gerritsen, author of Harvest

HOME ON THE RANCH The Silver Dollar Ranch, near Tombstone, Arizona Virgil Bodine. Oldest of the Bodine brothers. One-time sheriff of Tombstone and former bodyguard to the stars. He's come home from California, with his reluctant ten-year-old son in tow. Desiree Hartlan is a big-city D.A. who talked herself out of a job—and is looking for a new one. The position of sheriff—an elected position—is open. Desiree decides to run. So does Virgil, figuring he'll win in a landslide. Next thing he knows, he's calling her sheriff. And boss. And…wife?

HOME ON THE RANCH He's in her bad books. Someone's been skimming profits from Clay Alderson's ranching operation, and now the government has sent an auditor to check the books. The very attractive Ms. J. C. McKenna is all business. She's prepared to stay at his ranch for as long as the job takes, although it's becoming increasingly difficult to ignore her attraction to him—an attraction he seems to feel, too. But she's determined to keep their relationship professional. Unfortunately, her professional opinion of Clay is that he's the prime suspect.

He knows what he has to do Rancher Dex Hightower wants custody of his six-year-old daughter. He's tired of arguing with his ex-wife about visitation rights. But she'll never agree, even though she's more interested in her career than in being a mother. Somehow Dex has to convince a judge that he's the better parent. So he needs to hire the best lawyer in town. And that means Claire Cavanaugh. But Claire grew up on a ranch, and she remembers the isolation—no friends to play with after school, no ballet lessons, no trips to the mall or the movies. Not an ideal situation for a little girl. Of course, Dex is not like any cowboy she's known. Maybe life on a ranch with him wouldn't be too bad—even for a grown woman.

HOME ON THE RANCH Not so long ago, Avery Jensen had it all…. A beautiful home. An interesting career. Family and friends. Power, money and even a fiancé. But that's in the past, in the life she lived before her brother framed her and she was sent to jail. Now all she has is herself. And the haven she's found on a ranch in Texas—Haven, Texas.No one in Haven knows the truth about her, and she wants to keep it that way. Her boss, rancher Logan Monahan, isn't about to pry—he has secrets, too. All he wants is to be left alone. But when "accidents" start to happen around the ranch, these two private people have to learn to trust each other and figure out which one of them is the target….

Montana Legacy by Roxanne Rustand released on Jan 25, 2000 is available now for purchase.

The Texan by K.N. Casper released on Nov 24, 1999 is available now for purchase.

Sold out. The First family has owned the Number One Ranch in West Texas since the days of the Republic. Until now. Adam First’s bitter, alcoholic daughter has just sold controlling interest in the vast spread to a Houston bank. They’re dispatching someone to determine if he should continue to manage the multimillion-dollar enterprise. Sheila Malone knows the heartbreak of losing loved ones and property. She also realizes she has to please the bank executive who hired her, if her fledgling consultancy firm is to stay in business. Helping Adam save his ranch might make up for past failings, but will he let her? Will the bank let her? What neither the temperamental rancher nor the opinionated efficiency expert have anticipated is the emotional involvement they’ve awakened in each other, responses that might cost both of them dearly. It all comes down to trust, but trust doesn’t come easily when you’ve been betrayed.

Even the best father in the world needs a little help now and then Cody Matthews can't believe the recent changes in his daughter. Gone is the daddy's little angel; in her place, the devil in blue jeans. As a last resort—since Cody's a man who believes he should be able to cope with family problems on his own—he turns for help to Joan Paxton. But Joan has her work cut out for her. Cody is just as stubborn as his daughter—and just as good at keeping secrets. And unless Joan can uncover the truth, she won't be able to prevent the Matthews family from breaking apart. It's a possibility Joan can't bear to consider. She knows Cody and his daughter belong together…and she wants to believe Cody's conviction—that she belongs with them, too.

Clem Wells has made a career out of screwing up First she quit school to get married. Then she spent years being the perfect corporate wife—only to get dumped. Finally she went home to manage her family’s ranch, figuring even she couldn’t wreck a smoothly running operation. But she’d saved the worst for last. Who would’ve guessed that those sweet little cows she’d put out to pasture would turn into feral beasts that refused to be rounded up? Simple math said 0 cows = $0. And $0 meant her family’s ranch was in jeopardy. What Clementine needed now was a miracle. Hard to believe that a miracle would take the form of Dexter Scott. But if a silent, ornery and stubborn cowboy was all that was available, then she’d take what she could get.

Her idea of paradise is a country farmhouse with lots of kids and a dog. All he wants is his ranch, his horses—and to be left alone. When the Denver bank Bailey Chancellor works for transfers her to the small mountain town of Ferguson, Colorado, she eagerly accepts. Now she can have a country home, and maybe the children she’s always wanted. The townspeople view Bailey as tough because of her banking policies, but neighbor Trent Murdock sees a softer side, and he can’t help responding. Up to a point, that is. Trent lost his little girl, Sarah, a year before Bailey moved to town. Then his marriage fell apart. The last thing he wants is to feel vulnerable again. How does a city girl with a country heart get astubborn cowboy to love her?

The Forked Lightning Ranch, near Callanton, Oregon Summer Marsh wants to hang on to her family’s cattle spread. It’s the only life she knows…and it’s her son’s legacy. Summer’s ex-husband, Frank, sees the ranch as a cash cow—literally. With the collusion of his new girlfriend, he’s trying to sell it to a developer at an inflated price. Summer has to come up with almost four million dollars in order to buy Frank out. Impossible! She might be land rich but she’s cash poor. Then there’s Coltrane Quinn. He’s a broken-down soldier and one-time horse breeder, and like Summer, he was betrayed by his ex. Now he’s working for the conservation group Save Open Spaces. He’s hoping to buy the Forked Lightning on behalf of SOS, which acquires failing ranches in order to preserve the land. Colt’s operating in secrecy, so things get complicated when he falls for Summer. They get even more complicated when she falls for him!

Cowboy At The Crossroads by Linda Warren released on Jul 25, 2002 is available now for purchase.

She’ll never abandon the land Chronically low cattle prices and her father’s skyrocketing medical bills may have forced Jessie Weaver to sell the ranch that’s been in her family since the mid-1800s, but no way will she let developers wreak havoc with her glorious Montana mountains. So she writes conservation restrictions into the deed of sale—even though that means taking a huge loss in land value. Even though Guthrie Sloane, her boyfriend, thinks she’s dead wrong and it will mean the end of them as a couple. He’ll never abandon her Hotheaded and old-fashioned, Guthrie may have disagreed with Jessie’s dreams for her land and stormed off to Alaska in protest, but no way can he quit her .

A Baby By Christmas by Linda Warren released on Oct 24, 2003 is available now for purchase.

This hard-nosed cattleman isn’t ashamed to beg Widowed rancher Wade Darland freely admits that Tess Vega’s way of thinking has him scratching his head. He believes in shipping old barn animals off to auction, whereas she’s just set up a sanctuary for abused and abandoned horses. He can’t let a day go by without tucking in to some meat, whereas she hears the word and it sends her fleeing. And then there’s the matter of Wade’s children—especially Wade’s young daughter, whose motherless childhood is so similar to Tess’s own. Tess’s interference in the Darland family circle arouses Wade’s ire, and he implores her to say no to Macy when the little girl starts hanging around. But after a few more encounters with the spunky redhead, Wade is soon begging the cowgirl to say yes—not just to Macy but to him, too.

Caleb McCutcheon is living his dream as owner of a large ranch in the Montana wilderness. But when the woman he loves tells him she can’t be part of that dream, Caleb is determined to learn the real reason for her reluctance. Because he knows that without her and her five boys, his life will never be complete.

What Madeline Wants by Linda Style released on Aug 25, 2003 is available now for purchase.

HE NEVER TURNED DOWN A CHALLENGE Bull-riding champion Dylan "The Devil" Gentry had females of all ages eating out of the palm of his hand. Except his pretty physical therapist, the no-nonsense Brenna Farren. His stolen kisses—aimed to make her quit—only made him more eager to keep the feisty redhead around! And once the ruggedly handsome cowboy learned that Brenna was expecting and alone, his protective instincts kicked in. Knowing her family would be disappointed in her single status, Dylan proposed a temporary marriage to give her unborn babe his name. But would Dylan take the biggest dare of all—and settle down?

A Cowboy Summer by Debra Salonen released on Mar 25, 2004 is available now for purchase.

A man with a mission A Cajun cowboy with a pistol, a cell phone—and a bloodhound who’s scared of cows? What’s wrong with this picture? In fact, the cowboy’s more than a cowboy. Adam Dubois is an undercover detective who’s come to the high country to protect an endangered species. His mission: catch a mysterious lynx poacher. A woman with a secret Tess Tankersly has a saddlebag of frozen chickens and two hungry cats to feed. But if she’s caught aiding and abetting lynx, her family and friends—cattlemen all—will see her as a traitor. She’s walking a fine line between her passion for protecting wildcats and her loyalty to the people she loves. What happens when Tess and Adam meet? The sparks fly, that’s what! Despite her secret and his disguise, those sparks of attraction catch. Some fires are meant to burn .

She'd sworn to never love another cowboy Taking a teaching job in a desolate corner of Idaho was Kate Steele's way of making sure her in-laws didn't turn her son, Danny, into a shiftless broncobuster like his father. Except in the middle of nowhere she unexpectedly ran headlong into a genuine buckaroo…. Being a good parent and a born rancher were all that mattered to Ben Trueblood—until gutsy Kate Steele came along. Suddenly he found himself explaining to Danny that the rodeo circuit wasn't all that exciting…and considering the idea of hanging up his spurs.

This cowboy wants only one thing Holly Bennett hadn't listened to her father, and his words came back to haunt her when the boy she idolized got her pregnant and left town. A decade has dulled the pain—until the cowboy who broke her heart moves in next door…. To settle an old score Ty Alvarez tells himself their passion is dead, yet he can't ignore the sweet memories that flood back, especially after he and Holly realize they allowed a bitter old tyrant to steal years from their lives. Now he has the chance to be Holly's hero again, but only if he chooses love over revenge…. HOME ON THE RANCH Cowboys, ranches, home and family—stories you won't soon forget.

Two cowboy brothers must forgive the past to have the future they deserve! THE HORSEMAN'S SECRET Will Bishop is doing his best to raise his twelve-year-old daughter on his own while protecting her from the truth about the past. That job just got more difficult with the arrival of the beautiful new teacher, Regan Flynn. He hasn't felt an attraction like this in forever. But any future they might have together would be burdened by the secret he can't afford to reveal…to anyone. THE BROTHER RETURNS Ten years ago Brett Bishop made a mistake…and paid the price. Now he's returned to the ranch he loves. He's not asking forgiveness, only the chance to see his home again. Too bad Claire Flynn won't accept his self-imposed distance. He knows he doesn't deserve to reclaim a place in his family…neither does he deserve the special place she's carving out for him in her heart.

Can he let the past go…and stake out a future? Ten years ago Brett Bishop made a bad mistake…and paid the price. Now he's finally come back to the Nevada ranching land he loves. He's not asking forgiveness, only the chance to see his little girl—the child his brother is raising as his own. That's all he wants. Except that's not all he gets when the new teacher moves to town. As if Claire Flynn didn't have enough on her hands with a school full of unruly kids—now she can't seem to leave him alone. But Brett won't let Claire help him reclaim a place in his family. And he doesn't deserve the special place she's carving out for him in her heart.

With horse thieves threatening her wild mustang herd, of course it had to be Cade Lantana to come riding to her rescue. But just because Cade's back in town doesn't mean Reno Blackwell's ready to forgive him. It may have been nine years ago, but she has never forgotten how he broke her heart, abandoning her when she was in crisis. Sure, the cowboy's sexier than ever. And yes, she's flattered that he's determined to win her forgiveness.... But, really, how can she ever trust him again?

Zack Carson figured the city girl who'd inherited the ranch he worked on was going to be trouble. That's why the loner was ready to leave the minute she turned up. But Caitlin Jackson wasn't what he'd expected. Caitlin seemed to have it all together when she arrived. But why would an attractive divorcée give up her cushy condo and move to the middle of Nowhere, Wyoming? And then Zack learned that somewhere in her past she'd lived through an event as traumatic as the one he'd survived. And as each day brought them closer, the cattleman started to doubt if he really was better off alone.

Seven years ago Lucas Blaylock let his dark familyhistory cost him a future with Miranda Ward. Now theindependent Montana cowgirl needs him to help findher missing sister. This time Lucas won't let Mirandadown. This time he can't walk away. Miranda has never forgiven Lucas for leaving her at thealtar. But with her sister's life at stake, she must onceagain put her trust in the seductive lawman. As dangertrails them into treacherous territory, Miranda has nodefense against her powerful feelings for Lucas.

Caitlyn Belle will die before she'll let Judd Calhoun take her Texas ranch! Her arrogant and wealthy neighbor has been waiting to get back at her for jilting him years ago. But she wasn't about to be roped and steered into wedlock—even if her feelings for Judd went far beyond a business arrangement between their two families. Judd will never forgive Cait for walking out on him. Now that her late father's gambling debts have her backed into a corner, Judd's ready to take his sweet revenge. But first he has to forget the yearning in Cait's forget-me-not blue eyes. Just when Judd thinks he's over her, trust the fearless, stubborn woman to tempt him once again….

The more he gets to know the intrusive Kira Jennings, the more Jason Ross grudgingly falls for her. She's smart, she's beautiful and she gets him…what man could resist? But she's asking for too much. Because if Jason makes this deal—gives Kira the right-of-way across his ranch—it'll mean groveling to the mighty Jennings family once again. And the last time nearly ruined him. Scratch the "nearly," he's still picking up the pieces of his life-interrupted. So what's he to do? Salvage his pride and turn his back on Kira's kindness and generosity? Or take the chance and hope this Jennings will save him?

A smart person knows when to accept her lot in life. So Madison Belle has resigned herself to a solo existence running her family's ranch. That's before she finds a young girl and her baby brother hiding out in her barn…and before she meets their tough but tender father. As the only law in High Cotton, Texas, Walker is struggling to juggle his job with single parenthood. But his kids need a mother, and Maddie has a way of making them all feel like a family again. The beautiful rancher is even starting to make Walker believe in miracles. Until his ex-wife shows up, claiming to be carrying his child…

She'd rather be anywhere than here in Ordinary, Montana. Tackling the books for a failing ranch as a favor to a friend is not city girl Amy Graves's scene. And every time Hank Shelter stonewalls her search for the truth, she wants to be gone yesterday. Seriously. Still, something about the Sheltering Arms calls to her. Maybe it's the open spaces. Maybe it's the inner-city kids having the time of their lives here. Or maybe it's Hank, who is proving too good, too kind to be real. Despite herself, Amy's falling for his charm. But to put the ranch to rights she needs to know what he's hiding. Even if it destroys the sweet thing developing between them.

When you owe a man everything, how do you make amends? Meg Lennox isn't sure, but she better figure it out quick now that both she and Rio Carefoot are back in Wyoming. Hard to say that hiring him on her family's ranch will fix abandoning her first love years ago. Especially when her departure kicked off a chain of events that changed Rio's life…permanently. But the job is a start. Working together she learns that the best parts of him are still there. How can she not be tempted? So maybe this is their chance to get close enough to try again. Or maybe she's kidding herself.

C. J. Wright has a simple strategy for his life. Get his ranch going. Sell the family's candy shop. And fix his relationship with his young son. Nowhere in his plan is there room for a woman like Janey Sweeter-than-She-Looks Wilson, his new employee. A tempting mix of contradictions, she's a puzzle he'd love to solve. More, her city-girl exterior calls to his wild side—that rodeo-riding guy he turned his back on. The one who could jeopardize all he's working for now. But things get interesting when his son becomes attached to Janey. C.J.'s forced to look beyond her surface to the woman inside. Could the emotional connection he finds persuade him to change all his plans?

It all starts with the kid… Life was better for Logan Cathcart before he crossed paths with nine-year-old Sean Archer. Because now he has to face the kid's mom, Nora. It's not that Logan doesn't like Nora. He does—a lot. Perhaps too much. Even though she's captivated him from the moment they met, socially he and the wealthy widow next door are leagues apart. Still, keeping his distance is next to impossible with Nora constantly on his ranch, determined to clean up the mess Sean made. With the kind of sparks that erupt whenever she and Logan are within touching distance of each other, there's a whole lot of trouble in Logan's future…the adult, let's-get-serious kind of trouble.

Major Rafe Eaglefeather loves a challenge—the riskier the better. A former rodeo champion, he's also served his country. So is it too much to ask for a little solitude to heal from the effects of his deployment? With pushy relatives like his, apparently it is. Despite his protests, they've arranged for naturopath Alexa Robinson to treat him. Since treatment involves staying at Alexa's remote Texas ranch, Rafe sort of gets his wish for peace. Surprisingly, spending time with Alexa helps him feel more like himself. Something about her is irresistible and the attraction between them is growing. It's so strong he's tempted to take the biggest risk of all…committing to her.

"You have a son." The announcement is not exactly the welcome Matthew Long expects from Jenny Sterling when he arrives in Ordinary, Montana. Five years away can change a man, but he suspects he's still not the settle-on-the-ranch type. And if he can't settle, how is he supposed to lend a hand to raise his kid? Seems Jenny has different ideas, however. She wants Matt to do what he does best—move on so that she can return to her life without him. Surprisingly that's something Matt doesn't want to do. Because the moment he gets over the shock of being a daddy, he remembers all the powerful chemistry between him and Jenny. And if there is one person who could persuade him to be the staying kind, it might be her.

Luke never saw himself as a cowboy. But he is a Randell, and the land is in his blood. Now it's calling him back. Blond beauty Tess Meyers is waiting for Luke. Ready to fight for the ranch she and her little daughter call home. She thought she was prepared, but that was before she caught the piercing gaze of the tycoon cowboy…. The businessman in Luke would evict them without a care. But the cowboy in him has different ideas. They come with his land—and he's here to lay claim to what's his.

Rancher Lacey Guthrie must auction her livestock to keep a roof over her little family's heads. The man bidding on her prized horses looks up and she's left reeling! Jeff's come back from the army in the same way he left—silently, broodingly and bringing a whole heap of storming emotions. Jeff believes he's beyond redemption. How will Lacey show him he's a genuine hero?

A New Mexico ranch and a beautiful nurse offer hope and healing for a troubled military veteran and cowboy in this inspirational romance. Former soldier and rodeo rider Zachary McClure’s war injuries are far deeper than physical. Skeptical that anyone can reach the dark place in his soul, he visits an Albuquerque equine therapy ranch with no expectations. How can horses possibly mend his physical and emotional injuries when nothing—and no one—else has? He finds the answer when he meets Sophie Powell, an ex-army medic with a sunny smile, gentle touch and a determination to help others through horse therapy. But behind her big hopes and cheerful attitude lurks pain—and Zachary is just the man to change that. He can make Sophie's dreams a reality . . . and she may be the woman to heal this wounded hero’s heart.

On leave from the army, Nick Colter heads to a quiet Alberta ranch to fulfill a promise. His buddy left behind a pregnant wife in need of protection and friendship that only Nick can provide. Despite years in combat, he isn't prepared for the battle to earn wary Beth Carruthers's trust. There is more than grief in her beautiful blue eyes, and caring for her becomes more than an act of duty. He wants to bring a smile to her face…and restore faith and love in her heart. Yet the secrets she harbors may destroy the one chance at family he thought he'd never find.

With a broken-down truck, miles to go and little money, single mother Melanie Hunter needs help. It comes in the handsome form of rancher Gabe Davidson. He'll pay for the three-week repair job and provide lodging for her and her boy— if she'll take coordinating the town barbecue off his busy hands. Melanie accepts, figuring she'll soon be on her way to her new life. But as she gets to know the kind townspeople—and the hardworking cowboy her son adores—she realizes she's found her home. Now if only her Rocky Mountain hero will ask her to stay.

Will Sullivan's reason for refusing marriage is his biggest secret. To Will, it's part of his legacy, like the family's ranch. But then the woman he has secretly loved since childhood returns home after two years. Abandoned as a child the way he was, Annie Harris understands him. But she doesn't know the real reason keeping him a bachelor. A missionary nurse, Annie is planning to leave soon. Especially when a senseless scandal involving her threatens the ranch—and Will's future. But can he trust in rekindled love to see that Annie just might be his future?