Sheriff Eli Garrett is grateful for the good things in this life. Like his two best friends since childhood. A job that he loves. Enough land under the big skies of Montana to make a man feel free. And Brynne Bailey, finally back home in Painted Pony Creek to stay. Brynne was his high school sweetheart--and the girl he'd betrayed all those years ago. But now, with a new year right around the corner, it's time to make amends and see what the future might hold... if she'll let him. Brynne has one rule for herself: never date another cop. She made that mistake once before, and her heart still hasn't recovered from losing the kids she'd started to think of as her own. So she's happy to put the past behind her and be Eli's friend. Anything else is out of the question...until one electric kiss changes everything between them. But when a case blows wide open, putting Eli in danger, Brynne will confront her biggest fear. Some rules are meant to be broken and some hearts are worth the risk for a second chance with your first love.