Cade was a man of many descriptions, depending on who you asked. Some would call him steadfast, others stubborn, and a few might even say overprotective. But above all else, there was one thing no one could deny: he was a good father. No—scratch that—a great father. After his wife had shattered their family by cheating and leaving them both for the allure of the city, Cade hadn’t had the luxury of slowing down or catching his breath. He poured every ounce of his energy into raising his son, Luke, and keeping the family ranch running.

Life had dealt him his share of storms, but Cade weathered them with grit and a fierce devotion to the one person who mattered most. Still, even the strongest man needed help sometimes, and Cade was reluctantly coming to terms with that. For months, he’d been searching for a nanny—someone who could help with Luke while Cade juggled the endless responsibilities of ranch life. His family teased him mercilessly, claiming he was too picky. But this wasn’t just a job. This was Luke they were talking about—his world, his heart. No one was going to look after his boy unless they met every requirement and earned Cade’s unwavering trust.

And then, there was you.

The friend of his sister-in-law, visiting for the summer. You weren’t what he’d been looking for—not by a long shot. No résumé filled with childcare credentials, no perfectly polished references. Just you, with your easy smile and the way Luke lit up whenever you were around. Cade had every reason to keep looking, to keep his walls up, but something about you made him pause.

Maybe, just maybe, you were exactly what he and Luke needed.