Ice Cowboy. Red Valley Ravens, #9

This smooth-talkin' hockey player wears cowboy boots. Jesse Chaparrel is perfectly happy spending the off-season on his Northern California cattle ranch-far from the spotlight and focused on what matters most: his daughter, his land, and a quiet life. The last thing he needs is trouble showing up at his door. Laurell Monahan claims she's there to answer his ad for an in-house chef.but she can't cook, asks too many questions, and definitely isn't who she says she is. Jesse doesn't trust her.
Not even a little. But there's something about the clever, city-slicker brunette he can't ignore. As long summer days turn into even hotter nights, suspicion starts to blur into something far more dangerous. Because the more time Jesse spends with Laurell, the harder it is to imagine letting her go. Too bad she's hiding a suitcase full of secrets. Secrets that could threaten everything he's built-and everyone he loves.*Although part of a series, Ice Cowboy can be read as a stand-alone, as can all the books in the Red Valley Ravens series.*