What the Heart Defends: A Clean Historical Western Romance (Courting Colorado Series)

Colorado Territory, 1895—where love and survival demand equal courage.

Cayla Wilson has sworn never to return to ranch life—and never again to risk her heart on a rancher. But when the skilled wool grader leaves Denver behind for a fresh start in Fort Elder, fate reunites her with Ryle Henderson, the gifted attorney turned reluctant rancher she once tried to forget.

After his father’s sudden death, Ryle inherits three thousand unforgiving acres and the burden of a family hanging by a thread. Determined to protect what’s his, he finds himself battling ruthless speculators who will stop at nothing to claim the valley.

As danger closes in, Cayla and Ryle are drawn together by a love neither expected—and a fight that could cost them everything. Can she face the past she’s spent years running from? Can he outwit those determined to destroy his family’s legacy?

What the Heart Defends is a clean, heart-pounding historical western romance about love, loyalty, and the courage to stand together against impossible odds. Perfect for fans of sweeping frontier love stories with grit, heart, and hope.

What the Heart Defends is a complete standalone in the Courting Colorado Series, a collection of clean historical western romances set in 1890s Colorado.