Destiny is what happens when dreams collide with reality.
I’ve made a name for myself as a world famous lingerie model. I’m rich and powerful now. Not too bad for a girl from small town Texas. All I really wanted was to become so beautiful that Luke, my teenage crush, would fall at my feet.
But thirteen years is a long time.
Long enough for this little girl to grow up and glue back together the pieces that were chipped away as a child. Plenty of time for me to figure out that love isn’t made of fairy tales and high school crushes who didn’t even know I existed. Maybe it’s even long enough for me to realize what’s staring at me through my best friend’s eyes – even as I try to say we’re just business partners.
Then Gran dies. Now I have to go back to that same small town that destroyed me.
I keep telling myself I’ve got this – right up until Luke shows up in my life again. This time, he’s noticed me, but he comes with a troubled daughter that reminds me a little too much of myself. Then there’s the new guy I just hired. He’s the best person for the job, even if he is my best friend’s ex – and looking at my crush a little too hard.
I’m supposed to be taking over Gran’s business, but the rumors are flying. This town hates me. My neighbor wants to see me fail, my love life is out of control, and Luke’s daughter? It looks like she’s going to be the only one who ends up hurt unless something changes. What good is success if I can’t use it to help anyone else?
I came home to save something.
I just had no idea it was more than just a house.
Lives that are meant to be together always converge.
I was proud to be a simple country man. All I had to do was take care of my little girl, feed the cows, and live a good life – until Violet showed up. With one bat of her false eyelashes, that woman rocked my world. The things she offered sounded too good to be true. Then she talked about problems that only belong in big cities, not places like Cats Peak, Texas.
So I screwed it all up.
The things I said hurt her, and I know it. I walked away from a man who understands me and a friend who makes my heart beat a little faster. I told myself it was only because I was taking care of my daughter, but that was a lie.
I did it because I was scared.
Changing a lifetime’s worth of beliefs is terrifying. Doesn’t matter if it’s what I feel for those three or the mess that’s going on with my daughter. Combined, I’m living a country boy’s worst nightmare. I’m supposed to be a dad first. I have to focus on my little girl – so why can’t I stop thinking about them?
Because that woman is my god damned hero. I’m man enough to admit it. I might be the dude in distress, and I may have screwed up my best chance at happiness, but I’m not going to give up. This time, I’m going to fight for what I want:
My daughter.
Two men who gave me a chance.
The woman who takes my breath away.
And to get the bastard who tried to target my child.
Being a good dad isn’t enough anymore. It also doesn’t excuse what I’ve done. Somehow, I’ll find a way to make this right. But even if I can’t win Violet back, my daughter deserves to know who the real hero of her story is – and it ain’t me.
When passions burn this hot, something’s going to combust.
Becoming a doctor of psychiatric medicine was supposed to make me a better man. I’d been brought here to be the logic in this group of insanity. Instead, I’m falling right back into my old habits and making the exact same mistakes.
But they feel so right.
I found “the ones” when I was sixteen. Both of them, although I had no idea that was even possible. Back then, I’d ruined it all. This is my second chance, but there’s a little complication. Violet’s sexy cowboy crashed into our beautiful dysfunction, and he needs us to pull it together – and fast.
Together, we burn hot, but if we want this mess to work – and I honestly believe it can – then all four of us have to be the perfect role models for one whole month. We need to be a little respectable – just long enough for him to get custody of his daughter.
Which means I need to keep my hands to myself.
If only it were that easy. Violet’s beautiful power, Ash’s uncontrolled passion, and Luke’s country charisma are making me weak in the knees. It’s so easy to forget that we need to keep this a secret. Sneaking out behind the barn or stealing kisses while cleaning the cabins isn’t going to be enough.
Perfect? Us? Not likely. We’re looking to get in trouble.
One risk becomes more. Soon enough, I make a mistake. Ash makes another. Violet? Not even she can keep this mess from crashing and burning, but this is love. It’s hot, messy, filled with passion, and unquenchable. All the things I have a weakness for, but it’s not enough if we can’t keep this family together.
Something has to give.
This time, it won’t be me.
True love is facing your own fears so your family can conquer theirs.
The world is supposed to be mine. I took it when I was younger, and now I’m just coasting on my success. As an internationally renowned lingerie designer, I have everything I’ve ever wanted, including the three loves of my life.
Or so I thought.
Because if the world is mine, then it needs to bend to my will, and this small Texas town refuses to do that. These people look at me and see one thing: gay. I’m not. Bi-erasure is real, and it’s starting to piss me off.
I’ve been playing good so my boyfriend doesn’t end up paying the price, but this? These redneck bubbas have gone too far this time. They think throwing out a flew slurs or beating the crap out of me will scare me off? They’re wrong. I’m Ashton Walker. I came from nothing, and I promised myself I would never go back there.
So I’ll change the world instead.
The first step is to get Southwind open again. That means we need some people on our side, and Gran always said that we’d catch more flies with honey than vinegar. I’m about to risk it all for this place. If I fail, we’ll have nothing – maybe not even us.
So I’ll fight for my family with everything I have. My money, my fame, and even that cruel streak that makes it so easy to tear others down – or lift them up. They want to call me gay? Well, it’s time these cowboys see what happens when their wives meet me. After all, I come bearing lingerie.
I know I’m going to end up paying for this stunt.
I just hope it won’t be with my life.