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

In his hands Chad held his Stetson, the beige fabric showing signs of sun fading. “Sorry, no, but I have all my feelers out, spoke to all my sources. If someone knows something I’ll hear about it.”


Rafael fought the urge to swear. Instead, he sighed. “Then why are you here?”


When he smiled, lines crinkled in the corners of his eyes. They made him look…distinguished and a man not afraid of aging or enjoying life. Light danced in those eyes. Chad playfully tapped Rafael’s leg with his hat. “I’m here to spring you.”


Rafael couldn’t decide if he was happy about the prospect of being in a confined space with Chad again,or if he was bothered by someone treating him as a charity case. He knew this was how Pearl felt every time she ventured out to the city.


Chapter 5