In fight-or-flight situations, Sierra Bayley has always chosen to flee.

As soon as she was able, she left the one place—and person—she used to call home. However, no matter how hard she tries to put her childhood in the rearview, the ghosts of her past continue to haunt her.

Since the day his first love left without saying goodbye, Hayden Watkins has lived with his head down, chasing the life he always dreamed of. Forgetting should be easy. But no matter how hard he tries to let go, the girl who was once his entire universe is always in his orbit, yet just out of reach.

When a chance encounter throws Sierra back into Hayden's life, forcing them to live and work together, his world seems to stop on its axis. He'll do anything to make up for the time they lost. She'll do anything to protect her heart—and his—even if it means lying to keep him safe.

But secrets never stay buried for long. As the pair reconnects and reignites the relationship that never had the chance to truly spark, truths begin to unravel. When lives are put at risk, Sierra has to make a choice: Continue to run away from her demons or finally put up a fight.

The fourth book in The Road and the Rodeo series, in which a professional barrel racer moves in with her childhood best friend—and first love—after an accident that leaves her without a place to live. Told in dual timelines, the pair navigates love, loss, and the lengths a person will go to keep the ones most important to them safe.

Contains mature content. A complete list of content warnings can be found on the author's website.