Sylvia “Sly” Colter never imagined she’d bolt from her own wedding. But one look at Rowan Harlan’s cold, possessive eyes as she walked down the aisle told her the truth—she wasn’t walking toward forever, she was walking into a trap. Fleeing barefoot through the streets of Alpine, she stumbles straight into the arms of Zane Creed, a rugged rancher with a quiet strength and a smile that makes her heart steady for the first time in weeks.

Zane never set out to play hero, but when a runaway bride lands in his path, he can’t walk away. Offering her refuge on his family’s ranch feels natural, even right—but it also means stepping straight into the storm she left behind. Rowan Harlan isn’t just any jilted groom—he’s the son of a powerful Texas senator, and he’s not about to let Sly go without a fight.

As sparks ignite between Sly and Zane, danger circles closer. Rowan’s threats grow bolder, his shadow darker, determined to ruin her reputation—and destroy the man daring to protect her. Sly finally feels like she’s found the love she’s been searching for, but can she hold on to it when the past refuses to let her go?

Clara Monroe thought she’d found security in Dallas with Mason Calder, a wealthy man who swept her off her feet. But beneath the glitz was something darker—bags of hidden cash, men who obeyed his every word, and whispered threats slick enough to chill her blood. When Mason promised no one left him without his permission, Clara packed up her six-year-old daughter and ran—straight back to the wide skies of West Texas and the cowboy she once loved and left.

Levi Riker has spent his life working cattle, steady as a desert sunrise. He’s never forgiven Clara for breaking his heart, but the moment she shows up in town, afraid and alone, every protective instinct flares to life. She may have walked out on him once, but this time she’s fighting for her life—and he’ll risk everything to keep her safe.

As Mason’s reach stretches into the rolling flats beneath the Davis Mountains, Clara and her cowboy must decide if their love is strong enough to face down a man who doesn’t lose and won’t forgive.