Hayden Family Series by Jennifer Millikin

I’m a soldier. A cattle rancher. A Hayden. My family’s legacy is spread out in front of me, just waiting for me to seize it. If it weren’t for one outdated rule, I’d be the owner of the Hayden Cattle Company and my aging father could retire. When Dakota Wright shows up to buy and develop twenty acres of Hayden land, I see more than a pretty mouth and strawberry blonde hair. I see a way around the decree keeping me from getting what I want... moreI’m a soldier. A cattle rancher. A Hayden. My family’s legacy is spread out in front of me, just waiting for me to seize it. If it weren’t for one outdated rule, I’d be the owner of the Hayden Cattle Company and my aging father could retire. When Dakota Wright shows up to buy and develop twenty acres of Hayden land, I see more than a pretty mouth and strawberry blonde hair. I see a way around the decree keeping me from getting what I want. And, as luck would have it, Dakota has a big problem of her own. We strike two deals: one for the land, and a second that’ll make both our problems a distant memory. It isn’t too long before I realize I’m in over my head. I’ve convinced myself the ends should justify the means, but everything begins to fall apart when my birthright is no longer all that I’m after. I never thought there’d be anything I could love more than my ranch and my country. I was wrong. Turns out, I want it all. Including her. less

From bestselling author Jennifer Millikin comes a heart-warming story about a single-father trying to start over, and the woman he falls for along the way. I know you’ve heard about me. The middle Hayden brother, the one whose wife ran off. I’m not the short-tempered new owner of the Hayden Cattle Company, like my big brother. I’m not the wild stallion with a mystery ax to grind, like my little brother. I’m Warner Hayden... moreFrom bestselling author Jennifer Millikin comes a heart-warming story about a single-father trying to start over, and the woman he falls for along the way. I know you’ve heard about me. The middle Hayden brother, the one whose wife ran off. I’m not the short-tempered new owner of the Hayden Cattle Company, like my big brother. I’m not the wild stallion with a mystery ax to grind, like my little brother. I’m Warner Hayden. Single-father, second-in-command of my family’s ranching dynasty, and my steady, secure world is about to get rocked by America’s sweetheart. I’d heard Tenley Roberts was coming to our small town to film her latest movie, I just didn't think she’d be driving a 1976 Bronco. So, no, I didn't know the identity of the beautiful stranger I helped on the side of the road, but I figured it out a few days later. And I haven't been the same since. Tenley is unexpectedly funny, and complicated. I’m recently divorced, fearful of the way she makes my heart beat double-time, and gun-shy. Despite all this, we’re too wrapped up in each other to care. But then things with Tenley take an unforeseen turn, and everyone assumes I’ll take my licks the way I always have. Not this time. Maybe I am the nice, dependable brother. But I’m also a Hayden, born and bred. And this bull has horns. less

There’s a thin line between being a hero and a villain, and I’m well aware I walk right down the middle of it. My reputation precedes me, even when I’m making a bad choice for the right reason. This is how I wind up in the back of a police car late one night. My infamous last name keeps my record clean, with a single caveat: community service at a ranch recently purchased by Jo Shelton... moreThere’s a thin line between being a hero and a villain, and I’m well aware I walk right down the middle of it. My reputation precedes me, even when I’m making a bad choice for the right reason. This is how I wind up in the back of a police car late one night. My infamous last name keeps my record clean, with a single caveat: community service at a ranch recently purchased by Jo Shelton. I think I’d rather go to jail than serve time with the woman who has made it clear she can’t stand me, even though we used to be friends. Despite the tense atmosphere and how she keeps me at arms’ length, I show up every day, ready to work. Quickly I learn a valuable lesson: while it’s difficult being around someone I don’t like, it’s far more difficult being around someone I find myself intensely attracted to, but cannot have. Because Jo, the woman who's driving me crazy with her quiet strength and beautiful face, is in a relationship. With a man who, I’d like to point out, is not out there getting his hands dirty on his girlfriend’s ranch. Possession is 9/10th’s of the law, and as far as I’m concerned, I’m currently in possession of Jo’s time and attention. One day, the unexpected happens. Her blue eyes pierce my callused exterior, seeing deep down into a wound I work hard to hide. It’s in this moment, and so many that follow, that I become certain there’s no hope left for me. I’m in love with Jo, and I’m desperate to show her I’m someone worthy of her love in return. Lucky for me, nobody rises to the occasion quite like an outlaw. less

I’ve made a mess of things again. Not that anybody is surprised. After I’m politely asked to withdraw from college for my antics, I return home to my family’s cattle ranch. The sweeping views, the towering pine trees, and the whisper of the wind remind me I belong on this land. My heart is in the alpine air, my soul mixed into the soil. All I’ve ever wanted is to run the ranch alongside my oldest brother, but my family refuses to see me as anything but a walking disaster... moreI’ve made a mess of things again. Not that anybody is surprised. After I’m politely asked to withdraw from college for my antics, I return home to my family’s cattle ranch. The sweeping views, the towering pine trees, and the whisper of the wind remind me I belong on this land. My heart is in the alpine air, my soul mixed into the soil. All I’ve ever wanted is to run the ranch alongside my oldest brother, but my family refuses to see me as anything but a walking disaster. If I’m going to show them what I’m capable of, I have to prove myself. Lucky for me, I’m a Hayden through and through. I’ll dirty my hands in more ways than one. That includes the man who showed up in town again after all these years. Sawyer Bennett. I’ve heard the stories about his family, and they don’t scare me. Our attraction is undeniable, and the best part? Sawyer looks at me with fresh eyes. When I’m with him, I get to be the woman I’m fighting to become. And I’m learning just how much I want to be that woman. But then I make the ultimate mistake: I utter the word perfect. I should've known better. There’s nowhere to go but down after that. And down we go, until we hit rock bottom. Sawyer unearths a long-buried secret, and challenges everything my brothers and I grew up believing. Nobody is surprised I’ve brought disaster to our doorstep again, but it’s not over. Because when it rains out on the ranch? It pours. less