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

Chad found himself trailing after her, gravel crunching under her wheels, wondering how he’d allowed it to happen. He thought of grabbing the handle of her chair; would it be rude? Well, manners be damned, Chad did it anyway, forcing her to stop. The rifle slid off her lap.


“Alright, Miss Pearl,” he addressed her, “if you insist on coming along, please let me go in first.” Chad was quick to add, “As a matter of protocol.”


She sighed. “I suppose.” She bent to pick up the rifle and again he wondered, should he help her, would it be appreciated? He was uncertain and it bugged him. Most times he knew how to handle himself around others. Before he could decide, though, she had the gun back in her capable clutches.


Chapter 3