Desperate to escape her uncle’s ruthless control and the marriage he has arranged for her, Maggie Fontaine flees San Francisco with nothing but a small valise and the only proof of the truth: her father’s real will. With powerful enemies searching for her, she pushes west until she collapses near a remote Wyoming ranch, forced to trust a stranger who may either save her or ruin her.

Caleb Thornton is barely holding his ranch together after his father’s death, burdened with responsibilities and questioning his engagement to a woman who longs for a different life. He has little room for more trouble, yet he can’t turn away the mysterious woman who suddenly enters his world, leaving him torn between duty and a growing attachment he never expected.

As Maggie finds refuge with the Thorntons, secrets begin to surface and guarded hearts begin to soften. But when a bounty hunter rides into Copper Springs, her past refuses to stay hidden. Soon, Maggie must risk everything to reclaim her life, and Caleb must decide whether he is willing to protect the woman he is falling for, no matter the cost.

Tropes: Rescue Romance, Forced Proximity, Disguised Identity

"The Rancher’s Refuge for a Runaway Heart" is a historical romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.