Painted Pony

A woman on the run . . .The terrified eyes in the middle of the highway belonged to a woman--battered, bruised, and barely conscious. Nick Red Shield swerved his pickup and empty horse trailer to avoid her, but neither he nor the mysterious Lauren Davis could avoid the collision of their lives . . . though Nick's loner instincts kick into high gear, Lauren's vulnerability tugs at him in ways he'd thought long since shut down. More comfortable with horses than people, he's drawn to the secretive runaway. But even in the safe haven of his South Dakota ranch, among the magnificent painted horses of Western legend, the danger shadowing Lauren's life will compel her to new acts of desperation to save her young son and force Nick to confront demons bent on destroying them both.

Lakota Sioux rancher Dillon Black is slowly working his way back from losing everything he ever cared about. Ultimately, it was the horses that saved him. In his heart, he truly believes in the connection between the wild, majestic breed and the soul of the Lakota people. Now he has a dream--the Mystic Warriors Horse Camp--a place where youth can connect with the Lakota ways. He has the land, the horses, and the history. All he needs is the money. That's where television producer Ella Champion comes in. She works on a reality show where community projects get a makeover. Dillon's ranch could be her next show . . . and he could be exactly the man she needs off-screen. Dillon's ex-wife, Monica, thinks he could use some common sense, but deep down, she feels Dillon's project might heal their shattered family. Especially because she's about to reveal a secret that will change everything. Dillon and their teenage children will need all the help they can get . . .