She's relieved to find her nephew safe, but is on a desperate search for her missing sister. Rick's only too happy to help, even if he and Olivia instantly clash.Olivia's high-powered life is about responsibility—not laughter, love and holiday joy. But something about joining forces with Rick leads her to realize that there are more things missing from her life than her sister. And passion has its place—even if it is only temporary. After all, her time away from her job in Dallas can't last forever.Or can it? After all, Christmas is a wonderful time for surprises!

    And he wants the blonde who shared his bed a year ago—then vanished. Now a tabloid scandal whisks Melanie Costello back into his life—as his new PR guru! But the real headline would be if their red-hot secret got out. Transforming the rebellious image of the soon-to-be CEO will take Melanie's best makeover skills. But how do they hide their sizzling chemistry? Her PR firm is on the line. Will she risk everything for the one man she can't resist?

    So he hires the stunning event planner to keep her close. But after one magical dance, he finds himself driving her home in a snowstorm—only to be stranded by her side. And now that he's had a taste of her, seduction is his only goal… Zara stirs his blood like no woman he's ever known. But the commitment-shy beauty knows she must keep her distance from a man with such a risky reputation. He's her boss! He's off-limits. Now if only she can keep her hands to herself until the snow melts…

    Especially rugged architect-turned-rancher Tanner Quinn. Olivia's uncanny bond with his daughter Sophie's pony has him questioning her sanity, while she wonders if he's not just a drugstore cowboy. Then twelve-year-old Sophie conspires with Olivia to get Tanner into the spirit of Christmas. But will a holiday miracle transform the globe-trotting Tanner into a rancher—and family man—for all seasons?At Home In Stone CreekEveryone in Ashley O'Ballivan's life is marrying and starting families—except her. But why bother dating when no one can compare to Jack McCall, the man who left her heartbroken years ago? Now he's back in town —and maybe he isn't who she thinks he is.While recovering from a dangerous mission for the DEA, security expert Jack rents a room in Ashley's bed-and-breakfast. For both their sakes, he tries to keep his distance, though neither can deny the growing spark between them. But when his past catches up with him, he'll have to leave again…just as he realizes where he's always belonged—in Stone Creek.

    She had always been the good girl, the model princess--not the one getting mixed up in tabloid scandals. But one carefree night burning the bedsheets with charming Texan Zachary Logan had changed everything. Now her main responsibility was not to the throne, but to her unborn child...and getting to know his or her father.With Zach, Valentina felt she could put down her tiara and just be herself. But the rancher had a dark secret--one that threatened any chance of happily ever after. Could the American cowboy be her true Prince Charming? Or was she risking it all for a royal heartbreak?

    But when a desperate search for her estranged sister leads her to Wolf River, Montana, Erinn suddenly finds her secrets, even her very life, at risk. And after meeting notoriously sexy Jase Fortune, Erinn finds herself in another kind of danger—she could lose her heart.Jase Fortune is as committed to staying single as he is to running his booming family ranch––until mysterious, gorgeous Erinn shows up. But someone is out to destroy the Fortunes, and Jase finds himself willing to do anything to protect not only his family but Erinn too. As the peril mounts, so do Erinn’s and Jase’s feelings for each other, but the promise of love is threatened by deadly secrets and vicious enemies, and a killer who will stop at nothing….

    Now he's desperate to keep the gold diggers away. It shouldn't be too hard to find a pretty girl and hire her to pretend to be his one-and-only.Or Can He?Laura Baker's got mixed feelings about this--she's on the ranch to work, not to be arm candy. On the other hand, being stuck for a while in the boondocks with a gorgeous cowboy isn't half-bad.What neither Colton nor Laura expects are the intensely hard lessons they have to learn about the real cost of love...

    He'll save his legacy. And he knows just the woman to help. But getting Laney Fortino to trust him again isn't going to be easy. She still considers him a coldhearted jerk.Years ago, he'd told himself he'd left Laney for her own good. But seeing her again, feeling the undeniable attraction between them, he vows to rekindle what he'd once thrown away. And this time, family won't stand in the way.

    But when the Thoroughbred Wellness Center experiences a hostile takeover headed by a charming but ruthless corporate shark, both her heart and career are in jeopardy.

    For single mom Sophie Penazzi, accepting a housekeeping job at handsome Jeb Washington's ranch is a fresh start for her and six-month-old Brady.More comfortable with a baby on her hip, dough on her apron and flour in her hair, Sophie knows she is nothing like the glamorous women who inhabit Jeb's world.Her welcome from the taciturn rancher is far from warm...but that doesn't stop Sophie wishing she could be more than a maid in Montana!

    As a single dad, he shouldn't be thinking what he is about her. Still, that doesn't stop them from getting close. And the way she connects with his kids, it's as if they're a family.Turns out it's too good to be true. Seems Hannah has plans that don't include staying in Melbourne. Joe won't stand between her and her dreams, even though letting her go is nearly impossible. The holidays are looking grim, with him and his kids missing Hannah like crazy. But it is the season of surprises, and Hannah may have one for them!

    With The Slave as her guide, disciplined client Elliot won't be able to resist her offer of sexual submission!

    But a father...who hires her New Zealand baby-planning service? This divorcee has already been deceived once; Ronin's now the last man she wants to see.But he must have Ali. Only she can rescue Ronin from the upheaval of caring for his orphaned nephew...and give Ronin more of what he shared with her during the best night of his life. But something is holding her back. And Ronin will stop at nothing to find out what secrets she's keeping!

    Original.

    These are NOT meant to be read as standalone stories, but are a peek into favorite character's lives after the happily ever after...The stories included in the Short Rides anthology are:King of Hearts* -- Deputy Cam McKay deals with a murder/suicide case on Valentine's Day.Rough Road -- Chassie, Trevor and Edgard Glanzer spend a romantic weekend away from the ranch and kids celebrating their anniversary...only to return home to face their biggest challenge yet.All Knocked Up -- Keely and Jack Donohue are having a baby. Given Keely's raging pregnancy hormones, will Jack need to wear a cup in the delivery room?*previously published in the Guns and Roses anthology in 2012