Branded

He lost everything. She was never his to begin with. But now he can't let go.

He's gruff. Grieving. And far too used to being alone.
She's city fire and courtroom heels.
They were never supposed to touch-but now he can't stop.

After a tragic accident shattered his world, Ryder Clarke buried his grief in whiskey, silence, and the hard soil of his family's struggling corn farm. He's raising two kids on his own-one slipping away, the other in love with the son of his oldest enemy-and every day feels like a fight he's already lost.

He doesn't need distractions.
Especially not in the form of a smart-mouthed, city lawyer who looks like she walked out of a courtroom and straight into his nightmares.

Marisol Cruz is used to being underestimated. She grew up on Philly pavement, turned her street smarts into a law degree, and clawed her way into a career defending the people no one else would. But one sabotaged case and a boss who wanted her gone sends her straight into rural exile-with nothing to her name but a bruised reputation and a year-long assignment in a town that doesn't want her.

Especially not him.

When Ryder ends up in court over a public intoxication charge, Marisol's forced to defend him-and he's forced to tolerate her. One storm, one motel infestation, and one temporary stay at the Clarke ranch later... and the two are closer than either of them planned.

He's rough hands and sharp edges.
She's lip gloss, fire, and rules he wants to break.

They don't make sense. They're not supposed to. But chemistry doesn't give a damn about timing-and neither does the past.

Because this town remembers everything.
And if Marisol and Ryder can't figure out what's worth holding onto, they might lose each other before they ever had the chance.