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      Originally born and raised in Muncie, Indiana, Patricia Thayer is the second of eight children. She attended Ball State University, and soon afterwards headed West. Over the years she’s made frequent visits back to the Midwest, trying to keep up with her growing family.

      Patricia has called Orange County, California, home for many years. She not only enjoys the warm climate, but also the company and support of other published authors in the local writers’ organisation. For the past eighteen years she has had the unwavering support and encouragement of her critique group. It’s a sisterhood like no other.

      When not working on a story, you might find her travelling the United States and Europe, taking in the scenery and doing story research while thoroughly enjoying herself accompanied by Steve, her husband for over thirty-five years. Together they have three grown sons and four grandsons. As she calls them, her own true-life heroes. On rare days off from writing, you might catch her at Disneyland, spoiling those grandkids rotten! She also volunteers for the Grandparent Autism Network.

      Patricia has written for over twenty years and has authored over thirty-six books for Silhouette and Mills & Boon®. She has been nominated for both the National Readers’ Choice Award and the prestigious RITA^®. Her book NOTHING SHORT OF A MIRACLE won an RT Book Reviews Reviewer’s Choice award.

      A long-time member of Romance Writers of America, she has served as President and held many other board positions for her local chapter in Orange County. She’s a firm believer in giving back.

      Check her website at www.patriciathayer.com for upcoming books.

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      To my readers For those of you who’ve been following the Texas Brotherhood series since its conception at Silhouette, and now to its new home at Mills & Boon®, here comes the next generation of Randells.

      CHAPTER ONE

      BRANDON RANDELL sat in a booth at the coffee shop, toying with his mug. Anything to keep from looking across the table at his dad. Lately they hadn’t even been able to share a meal without ending up on this same subject. The same argument. And Brandon couldn’t tell him what he wanted to hear.

      “I’m not sure I want to take over the running of the ranch.”

      “Well, son, when do you think you will know?”

      Brandon hated being cornered about this…again. He met his father’s piercing, dark gaze. Though in his mid-fifties, he looked much younger. Still big and intimidating, the years of physical labor had kept him in great shape. Some gray mixed in with his coal-black hair, and weathered lines around his eyes were the only differences he’d seen in the man in the past twenty-five years. That had been the day Cade Randell walked into his life and claimed him as his son.

      Brandon leaned back in his seat, feeling the sudden weight of his sidearm, reminding him of his responsibility to the people of Tom Green County, Texas. He’d barely had a chance to stop for supper tonight.

      He’d hoped the pressure to follow in the family’s ranching business had eased ten years ago when Cousins Luke and Brady Randell returned to the valley and helped form the Randell Corporation.

      “I have commitments, Dad.” He hesitated, then rushed on to say, “This is my last week on patrol. I start as a detective on Monday.”

      Cade blinked, then quickly covered his surprise. “When did this happen?”

      “I got the news this morning. I didn’t want to tell you and Mom about the promotion until I was sure it was a done deal.”

      “Well, congratulations, son. We’ve always been proud of your work with the sheriff’s department.” There was a hint of a smile. “And your mother will be happy you’re off patrol.”

      “Thank you, Dad. That means a lot to me.”

      Again his father nodded. “All the more reason to settle this situation. You have a commitment to the family, too. Your grandfather willed the ranch to you,” he stressed. “I’ve been running things along with your brother, but you’re past thirty, son. You should take it over, or sell.”

      Hell, even more pressure. Well, he was the eldest. The next generation of Randells. “Sell part of Mustang Valley! Isn’t there a law against that in this family?” he tried to tease, but his dad didn’t show any sign of humor.

      “Joke all you want, but since your last birthday, legally you own the land that the Randell Guest Ranch and the cattle operation grazing pastures are on. It’s not fair to ask your brother to keep running things on his own. He’s been working as the foreman. You need to make a decision, Brand.”

      Before Brandon could speak, his radio went off. “A possible 10-14 in progress,” the dispatcher said over the radio. “Officer needed at the location of Burch and Maple, the West Hills Emergency Center parking lot.”

      Brandon reached for the radio and identified himself. “10-76