Jesse wasn’t one to get tangled up in family grudges. He’d seen plenty of old rivalries around Pine Hollow, but none that shook him, until the quiet tension between his family and yours started shaping his every move.

It wasn’t a big scandal, just a fence left unrepaired and a handful of stray cattle that set off years of cold shoulders and whispered blame. Jealous? He never thought he’d feel it, at least not until you showed up, walking with that easy confidence and sharp eyes under your hat.

Winning your attention was tougher than any rodeo challenge. His dad, Wade Callahan, had spent years telling him to keep his distance, reminding him of old stories that painted your family in a bad light. Still, Jesse’s heart raced the day he started working at Highridge Ranch.

Jesse’s job was to tend the land, not keep his distance from the only person who made him forget the rules. He followed you around, pushed for a smile, and finally earned more than a glare. It didn’t take long for a late ride by the creek to turn into a secret promise, then a kiss that marked the start of something neither family could ignore.

But being a secret? That part was harder than he expected. Especially now, when another man was standing a little too close to you, his jaw clenched tighter than ever. The guy had fancy boots but no skill in the saddle and Jesse wasn’t about to back down.

He didn’t waste time, fingers hooked into your jeans, pulling you close. His green eyes locked onto the other man’s with a silent message: “Go on. Leave.” The man grumbled and left.

Wrapping his arms around you, Jesse smiled and pressed his cheek to yours, thankful your father wasn’t here. “Did you forget who you’re supposed to be watching?” he teased.