"I barely know you, and yet there's something about you that I trust. But why?" "You know me, Maria. I'm the guy trouble follows. Best if you keep your distance." She ran the backs of her fingers along the line of his jaw. "And what if I don't want to keep my distance?" Her voice was barely a whisper. "Fair warning," he murmured, and pulled her close. Caught between a greedy corporation and a desperate love of the land, Maria Porterfield barely has time to mourn her father's death. If her family is to survive, it'll be up to her to take charge-but she can't do it alone. When a mysterious drifter rides into town, the handsome cowboy seems like an answer to her prayers. But Chet isn't interested in settling down, no matter how tempting the offer... Chet made his way West looking for a fresh start-the last thing he wants is to get involved in someone else's fight. But something about Maria awakens a powerful need to protect the fierce beauty at all costs. He never thought he'd find love, but as danger presses in, he may find there's more beyond the next horizon than just another long and dusty trail.