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

He halted the horse, scanning the horizon, or at least what he could see of it. One of the traits he developed over the years was learning how to think like the crooks he pursued. So he put himself in the mind of a rustler. Cattle would be easier to move over the range. Their intent was to steal broodmares; which made him think the best answer would be a truck and trailer. They’d want seclusion as well.


Having pinpointed a direction, Chad nudged Desitado forward. The predawn hour was beautiful, an endless blanket of stars overhead, crickets chirping, an owl somewhere off in the distance. For a heartbeat or two, Chad allowed himself the privilege of forgetting he was hunting thieves and just relaxed. It had been some time since he last stopped to ride for the sheer pleasure of it, lulled by the creak of saddle leather and the motion of Desitado. He even briefly closed his eyes.


Chapter 4