Exiled to an abandoned presidio in southwestern Texas, Father Alonzo Vargas is accustomed to being utterly alone except for his white donkey, Angelica. He is also fully acquainted with the corrupt and rotten sheriff, John Cullen, the man responsible for his semi-permanent exile. When he finds a victim of the sheriff hanging upside down from a tree, he immediately cuts the man down and vows to nurse him back to health.<br><br>Ben McKinnon has never done anything to cross Sheriff Cullen -- except defend the land he inherited from his father. The land Cullen covets. He's surprised when the exiled priest makes it clear that he will not only be a nurse, but will also become Ben's ally in the fight against Cullen. He's even more shocked when he realizes he doesn't just want Father Alonzo as a friend. Ben cherishes the other man's mind, his body, and his heart.<br><br>But Alonzo is not a free man. And if Sheriff Cullen has his way, they will both be dead men.

Those Who Cherish

“The truth will change your opinion of me,” he said. “And I regard you too highly to risk tainting that.”


“You seem to have an entire catalogue of preconceptions about me and my responses. Have I behaved the way you have expected?”


Ben’s mouth twitched. “Well, no. You’re far more stubborn than I would have expected.”


“You haven’t even seen how stubborn I can be.”


The twitch became a definite cant. “I almost hope that’s a promise.”


“It will be if you keep avoiding my questions.”


“I answered the one about your behavior.”


“If you believe that I’ll judge you, or that I’ll think less of you, then there’s nothing more I can do about that.” Alonzo turned from the window and crossed to the fire.


Chapter 16