In the wake of the profound loss of his first mother to cancer seven months ago, Y/N McMissle, the youngest scion of the McMissle Family, finds himself ensnared in the whirlwind of emotional turbulence that inevitably accompanies such a significant tragedy. Against this backdrop, Finn, the family patriarch, recently exchanged vows with Holley, a pivotal moment that solidified her role within the McMissle family just a week ago.
Amidst this shift in the family dynamic, Julian, the eldest son, takes it upon himself to navigate the delicate terrain of acceptance and understanding between his grieving younger brother and the newly anointed stepmother, Holley. Recognizing her genuine kindness, Julian harbors the hope that Y/N will, in time, come to appreciate the newfound presence in their lives.
However, Y/N, still entrenched in the mourning process, grapples with the idea of a stepmother, struggling to reconcile the past with this unfamiliar figure attempting to weave herself into their familial tapestry.
As the three older brothers embark on their inaugural day of college, Holley seizes the opportunity to bridge the emotional chasm with Y/N. Understanding the significance of fostering a connection, she devotes time to nurture a bond with the grieving sibling.
Meanwhile, in College, Julian receives an unexpected invitation from Mirenda, an acquaintance of Finn. Unbeknownst to Julian, Holley and Finn share a clandestine past, concealed from the prying eyes of their children. Accepting the invitation, Julian unwittingly steps into a trap, unaware that his seemingly innocuous decision might jeopardize his safety.
Will Holley try to establish a good relationship with Y/N, will Julian be alive to see this?
Jessie White stands out from the crowd. As a Southern woman, she defies the typical expectations for a twenty-four-year-old. While others her age might be in college or embarking on new careers, Jessie's upbringing on a ranch alongside four brothers equipped her with skills many would balk at. She's adept at horseback riding, calving, stall cleaning, and more. Fiercely independent, Jessie refuses to rely on any man, a resolve hardened after heartbreak at the hands of Max Lane, a rancher's son, two years prior.
Jessie has resolved to take up bull riding, a skill that appears to be a family legacy. Her lifelong dream has been to ride a bull before an audience, but now, her ambition has shifted to rescuing the White Family Ranch after a substantial portion of their funds vanished and debts began accumulating.
Max Lane's family is eager to buy the White Family Ranch, but Jessie refuses to let him take away the one thing that sustains her.
Being a beauty bartender owner and a female bull rider makes things challenging. Everyone says she can't do it because she's a woman, but Jessie is determined to prove them all wrong.
Initially skeptical, Trace Black doesn't recognize her potential until he witnesses her mount a bull for the first time. Although he may appear arrogant externally, that pales in comparison to his internal complexity.
Trace and Jessie are initially oblivious to their chemistry, though it's evident to everyone around them. As Jessie gathers the courage to express her feelings to Trace, the things she dreads occur. However, it doesn't make matters worse; it alters everything profoundly.
*WARNING* Book contains language, child loss, trauma, etc.
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