Sexy, hunky Sheriff Slade Barlow, illegitimate son of a very wealthy man and half brother of Hutch Carmody, is shocked when told the father who never acknowledged him as a son is dead and has left half of everything to him, including his huge ranch, Whisper Creek, in Parable, Montana. Total dissension is felt between the brothers with neither acknowledging the other. Slade was raised by his mother in an old trailer attached to her hair salon, the Curly Burly, who struggled to keep him fed and clothed. Hutch was the privileged and popular one throughout school. Their heritage was always common knowledge and whispered about throughout the community. With the awkward situation between the brothers, Hutch makes an offer to buy Slade's half of the ranch. Even though Slade's bank account is now five million sweeter, the ranch is a more personal matter of contention.

Joslyn Kirk, once a spoiled and rich young girl, has returned to make amends for the scam her deceased stepfather involved the townspeople in, stealing all of their money. Selling her software company for a lot of money, she has given all the profits to an attorney to anonymously distribute to the families affected by the scam. Returning to stay in the guest house behind the mansion she used to live in, her heart does flip flops when she sees Slade after all these years. Slade endeavors to get close to Joss but doesn't feel part of her world. Will the long lost acquaintances become more as their worlds intertwine and unravel before them?

The first novel in the Parable, Montana series is a excellent starting point for this new world. The characters are good old cowboys with hearts of gold and hot blood running through their veins. The sex is sizzling and the emotions run high. As usual Linda Lael Miller's story is exciting and extremely enjoyable to read. I love the rugged but sexy cowboys and their stubbornness to budge an inch. The ups and downs of the closely knit citizens and families keep you on the edge waiting for the next shoe to drop. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in this series.