Cal Hoke, an onsite pretty boy veterinarian at Riding Ranch in Stockton County, Oklahoma, has a secret he will never share with his ranch hand coworkers: he happens to be in love with the ranch owner, Pax Raulton. Straight and sexy Pax is a chiseled, handsome, aggressive businessman at Riding Ranch. For years he has raised and sold thoroughbred Palominos. Pax is a private man who minds his own business on the ranch. When he suffers a head injury caused by one of his prized horses, he spends days in recovery due to amnesia. Pax cannot remember a single detail from his past. Under Cal’s personal care and tender touch, Pax is provided with the help he needs to overcome his amnesia. As this healing process takes place, Cal learns Pax has a secret of his own, a secret that will change the two men forever. But something lurks in Pax’s history that he has forgotten, a dangerous and charmless someone with the potential to shred Pax’s world with ease. Is the bond between Pax and Cal strong enough to keep them together when the dark secret is exposed? Or will the two cowboys be forced to end their romantic ride together?

Stockton County Cowboys Book 2: Riding Cowboys

Hours ticked by as we played the waiting game. Hoss came out eventually and told us that Pax was in stable condition, still unconscious, and strapped to an IV and oxygen. “He’s being monitored closely by a number of staff.” Trying to comfort me, he added, “He just needs some time, Cal. You can give him that, and I can too. We just need to be patient and we’ll all get through this together. Before you know it, he’ll be out of here and back on his ranch with you again.”


More hours ticked by and evening finally came. 


“Kate” came by to tell us where the cafeteria was, but we declined her offer. I know I wouldn’t be able to keep anything down because of my nerves. Instead, I wanted to stay as close to Pax as possible, and I kept hoping that he’d surface from his unconsciousness. 


Chapter 24