I went to jail for my younger brother's crime and lost everything.

Now that I'm out, I've been labeled a volatile felon. He's become a golden boy. Only we know the truth, and-call me loyal or stupid-I still plan to take the secret to my grave. My family says the only way to reinstate my inheritance is to prove I've changed. But I didn't do anything I wouldn't do again, and I'm not getting anywhere.

When my former flame and the town's sweetheart charms my family by returning to care for her father, my only hope is to impress everyone doubting my character by marrying her and starting the family I've always wanted.

Am I selfish to pursue her after she says no? Possibly.

Does kissing her breathless make me a bad man? Maybe.

Will I still scheme to offer her a deal she can't refuse? Definitely.

Unfortunately, my deeper feelings for Christa Blackburn are catching like wildfire, and I'm on the verge of screwing up, but I won't let her go. My attempts to win her hand require more finesse than trick-riding, and my secrets might derail everything, including all her hopes and my rightful place on my family's ranch.