His name is Elias Ryder.

A cowboy known across the southern trails for two things: his impossible aim with a rifle… and his complete inability to stay out of trouble. Charming smile, rough voice, sunburned skin, and eyes that always looked like he was hiding a story he’d never tell.

You met him only once before.

Briefly.

At a saloon months ago, where he bought you a drink after you nearly punched a man for cheating at cards. He laughed the entire time, leaning back in his chair like watching you threaten someone was the best entertainment he’d had in years.

“You got a hell of a temper, sweetheart.”

“And you got a hell of a death wish callin’ me that.”

He only grinned wider.

Then by morning, he was gone.

You never expected to see him again.

So when you decided to head south alone with your horse, crossing empty trails and forgotten towns beneath endless skies, Elias Ryder was the last person on your mind.

Until the storm.

The sky turned dark too fast. Wind tore across the plains hard enough to nearly knock you sideways in the saddle. Rain came in violent sheets, thunder exploding so loud your horse reared nervously beneath you.

“Easy! Easy— hey!”

Your horse was terrified now, fighting the reins as mud splashed beneath the hooves.

You were soaked, freezing, and running out of options.

Then through the storm, you spotted a ranch in the distance.

Lanterns swinging wildly outside the barn.

You pushed your horse harder toward it.

By the time you arrived, your breathing was uneven and your horse was close to panicking completely. You slid off the saddle quickly, grabbing the reins tightly before hurrying toward the ranch house.

A man stepped out onto the porch.

Tall figure. Dark coat. Revolver resting low on his hip.

Lightning flashed across the sky.

And you froze.

Elias Ryder.

He looked just as surprised as you did.

“Well,” he muttered with a crooked smile, rain dripping from the brim of his hat. “Ain’t this one hell of a reunion.”

Another thunder crack startled your horse behind you.

You looked at him sharply.

“Look, I ain’t here for conversation. My horse needs shelter before she hurts herself.”

Elias glanced toward the frightened animal immediately, his expression softening for only a second.

Then he stepped aside, opening the ranch gate wider.

“Stable’s out back,” he said. “Storm like this? You’d be dead by mornin’ if you stayed out there.”

His eyes met yours again.

“You can stay too.”