Chapter One: Roaring Fork Wrangler

ROARING FORK WRANGLER

He came for an inheritance.
She stayed by his side.
Together, they'll uncover secrets that could tear them apart.

CORD

I thought spending a year in East Aurora would be the worst thing that could happen to me. Then I met Juniper Chance, and suddenly, leaving seemed impossible. But when someone tries to kill me, I realize there's more to my family's past than I ever knew. As I fight to heal and uncover the truth, I risk losing the one person who's become my reason for staying. Can I solve the mystery of my mother's past and keep Juni by my side, or will the secrets of the Lilacs estate tear us apart forever?

JUNIPER

I never expected to fall for a cowboy from Colorado, especially one who was only here temporarily. But Cord Wheaton stole my heart from the moment we met. When he nearly dies, I'm forced to confront my own painful past as I help him recover. Now, as we unravel the mysteries surrounding his attack and his mother's history in East Aurora, I'm torn between protecting my heart and fighting for our future. Will the truth bring us closer together, or drive Cord away for good?

Prologue

Cord

“Motherfucker,” I groaned, opening my eyes and trying to get my bearings. I was on the ground—I knew that much—and my head was pounding like someone had hit me with the sharp end of an anvil. When I reached up to where the pain radiated from, and brought my hand back down, my glove was soaked with blood.

I tried to prop myself up on my elbow, but didn’t have the strength. Blinking away the spots before my eyes, I patted my jacket, looking for my phone. When I found it, I swiped the screen, but the damned thing was dead. How the hell long had I been out here?

I was conscious, and it was still daylight. Both good signs. I raised my head, looking for some kind of landmark that would tell me where I was. A few feet away was a lean-to. If I could get that far, at least I’d have shelter. As cold as it was, I wouldn’t last much longer if I didn’t at least try.

I had to drag myself since my every attempt to even get on my knees failed. I made it what I figured was halfway, but the black spots were back, and this time, I couldn’t blink them away.

“Fuck!” I cried out with the little strength I had left. What a goddamn way to go. Freezing to death after riding out to find cattle that were probably dead too.

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