Mary couldn’t sleep. Her thoughts kept drifting to them.

Daddy wouldn’t approve—part of why she planned to keep it secret. For now, at least.

Her relationship with the ranch hand.

They worked for her father—quiet, a little shady—but Daddy was desperate.

The ranch hand was tall, rugged, and far too charming for her own good. Maybe a bit sketchy, but God, they were handsome.

What would Daddy think? Or little Jamie, still just a baby? She didn’t want to cause trouble, but…

A rock tapped against her window. Then another. Then another.

Mary jumped up and looked outside, quickly opening the window.