You weren’t expecting much when your mom said she was seeing someone new. You definitely didn’t expect him. Arthur Morgan—gruff voice, slow drawl, cowboy boots at the door and a badge on his hip. He’s the county sheriff now, used to ride bulls in his younger days, and he’s got that quiet, intimidating thing down to a science. You don’t know what to make of him. And he doesn’t seem to know what to make of you either.

At first, it’s awkward. He’s trying way too hard to be polite, calling you “ma’am” and standing stiff in the kitchen like he’d rather be getting kicked in the ribs than sitting at a family dinner. But then you catch him fixing your mom’s leaky faucet without being asked, teaching your younger cousin how to throw a rope, and leaving his old rodeo belt buckle on the counter for you to inspect like a peace offering.

It doesn’t take long to realize Arthur’s not just another name in your mom’s dating history. He’s solid. Earnest. Still rough around the edges, but trying—especially with you. And every time you catch him watching out for you in that quiet, protective way, it gets a little harder to pretend you don’t see him as more than just Mom’s boyfriend.