A journal brought him to Tradition. She was the reason he stayed. Young widow Katie Mitchell finally has her dream of a safe haven and alternative equine therapy center in sight. After losing her husband and high school sweetheart, this counselor has poured all her energy and resources into preserving his memory—out of love and guilt. With funds in hand, the expansion of her animal-centered non-profit requires the perfect piece of land in her hometown. Ex-Marine businessman Troy Montgomery finds the perfect property for his equine retreat and wants it instantly. Much like the feisty woman who currently resides there. Looking for answers in his younger brother’s journal, he has his own plans for the land that speaks to the damaged cowboy under his polished exterior. This means war. Or cohabitation. Or maybe healing for them both.

Secrets threaten to stop their future before it starts. Katie was fine with the life she had. Her work, her organization, her animals—all her plans were finally snapping into focus. Then Troy showed up in Tradition and now she’s anything but fine. Confused. Hurt. Grieving her husband all over again. And feeling things she had given up on feeling years ago. She’s stalled in a state of limbo, her progress with Troy and her non-profit in risk of going backwards. Troy went looking for an answer in Tradition, Texas. Instead, he found a secret he never expected, a property he wasn’t searching for, and a woman that nothing could have prepared him for. Everything he needs, for his equine therapy foundation and himself, is within his reach if he can shake loose the ghosts that haunt his nightmares. And hold on the woman who stars in his dreams. But a past secret isn’t the only thing that threatens their future—or their lives.

What was supposed to be a temporary fix became more than either of them expected. Their arrangement was temporary. That’s what Katie had told herself for months. As she fell deeper and deeper into Troy, she missed things around her. Opportunities to further her cause. Signs from the people around her. Clues that may lead to a permanent loss of security. And put her in jeopardy. Their arrangement was temporary. That’s what Troy had been trying to change for months. Defeating his long-time demons, everything is possible with Katie by his side. Peace with the ghosts that haunt him. A successful equine therapy retreat. A partner in life and love. This woman is supposed to be a permanent part of his future. If he can save her. Can they save each other and get the healing they both deserve?