Rafael Pederos is awakened in the middle of the night by his wheelchair-bound sister Pearl. Someone’s in the barn where they shouldn’t be. Rafael tells her to call the cops as he storms out to chase off the rustlers, but he’s too late. They’re already gone, and they’ve taken four pregnant mares with them. Now the future of the Pederos Ranch is up in the air.<br><br>This is where Chad Masters comes in. As a detective-ranger, he swears to track down the missing mares. But that’s easier said than done when he realizes there’s something about Rafael he can’t resist. Now if he can just get past the gruff exterior and teach Rafael how to love again.

Stolen Hearts

Pearl looked at him wide eyed, quickly positioning herself in the doorway. “You can’t go out there, are you nuts?”


“I have to,” he said. Rafael placed a hand on her shoulder. “Call the cops and make sure you lock the front door behind me.”


Rafael managed to squeeze by her, making a beeline for the door. Every moment was time wasted, time for them to make off with his herd stallion, marketable young stock, a broodmare or two. Rafael slipped on his boots, ignoring the now fearful protests of his sister. She was worried for his safety, completely understandable since rustlers could be desperate enough to shoot without question. But the horses were more than just the financial backbone of the company. They were family, some of the bloodlines going back to their great-grandfather, if not further. He never really delved that far back. Paperwork and research like that was more Pearl’s forte.


He paused halfway out the door. “Lock the door and call the cops.”


Chapter 2