Twenty-one year old Avery Crawford has had to fight for everything in her life, and this summer is no exception. When her culinary internship in a chic restaurant falls through at the last minute, she gets an unexpected offer to work on a dude ranch in the quaint town of Sugar Creek. The problem? The ranch is owned by the grandfather she's been kept from all her life.

Avery is completely out of her element with the cattle drives, trail rides, and most of all—cute ranch manager Owen Jackson. Not in the market for romance, Avery still finds herself tempted by the cowboy's Southern charm and sweet kisses. But as secrets unravel on the ranch, Avery will have to let go of the old wounds if she wants to hold onto the love Owen offers her. When the summer's over, Avery must risk it all—or lose much more than her heart.

Previously published in the novella collection Just One Summer.