Labor of Love

Layla
Forever felt attainable. Morning wiped every promise I imagined.
My best friend’s older brother would be lucky to get eight seconds of my attention.
Problem is, one look at his deep blue eyes and large tattooed bicep has me forgetting why I hate him at all.
He always believed in my paintings when my parents didn’t.
Two world champion titles later, and he’s back for good.
Back to treating his family like gold, and putting his mother on the pedestal she deserves.
Protecting my heart is smart. So why is it longing for the cowboy who once broke it?

STETSON
The hardest ride of my life was leaving her.
Winning two world titles?
Done.
Staring down the meanest ranked bulls?
Easy.
Facing my little sister’s best friend when I return home?
Scariest moment of my life.
Every buckle and title didn’t fill my heart the way Layla’s smile can.
Chasing one dream meant dreaming of another… The shy painter who undeniably stole my heart.
The sweet girl who believes our night meant nothing…
She can try to hate me, but now that I am back?
I’m fighting to win the most important thing in my life:
Layla Martin.

Welcome to Hearts Bend, Texas, where every road leads to love. Join your favorite Man of the Month authors as we kick off 2026 with a new town and new love stories.