Charlene Murphy has fought hard for the life she’s building. Smart, focused, and fiercely devoted to animals, she’s finally on track to becoming the veterinarian she’s always wanted to be. But beneath the calm exterior is a truth she keeps close Charlene was once Charly, and becoming the woman she is today took years of sacrifice, fear, and starting over from nothing.

When money runs tight, she takes a job at Big Bob’s Ranch in rural Utah. It’s supposed to be temporary steady work, quiet living, a chance to save while keeping her past out of sight. Then she meets Jaden. Rugged, teasing, and impossible to ignore, the cowboy unsettles her with every grin and lingering glance.

The more time they spend together, the more the line between safety and risk blurs. Jaden doesn’t know her full story, and each touch, each laugh they share, makes the secret feel heavier.

Will Charlene take the leap and trust him with her truth or let fear keep her love locked away?