Chapter Two
Puma stood in the pasture, staring up into the jagged tips of the scenic mountains. Shades Cove, Colorado hadn’t changed a bit, at least not on the surface.
Thanks to his pa who’d left him the hundred-acre ranch aptly named Storm Pass in his will, Perry “Puma” Steel could now do what he’d always wanted. To run his ranch and start a security company.
While grateful for his father’s generosity, Puma still couldn’t forgive Storm, even in death.
His father had been a philandering bastard who wouldn’t have known how to keep his Wranglers zipped if his life had depended on it. However, that was the life Sue Steel chose until her dying day back eight years ago. Storm had been a decent father, teaching Puma the ropes of running a ranch and the hard-knock life of a cowboy, but when the sour man had stopped talking to Puma because he’d married Bryar LeGuard, there was no going back.
The night nearly eleven years ago when he revealed to his parents that he and Bryar had eloped haunted Puma. His father’s fury and hurtful words shattered their relationship. Puma couldn't even bring himself to share the news that Bryar had been pregnant.
Although he and his pa hadn’t spoken again, Puma’s relationship with his mom remained intact. She’d been right there with Puma when his son had passed, and afterward when Bryar had cut him out of her life. Over the years, she’d visited Puma wherever he had landed back in the States, but neither ever mentioned Storm. He’d become a taboo conversation. Puma would have never wanted to put his ma in the middle.
When Sue Steel passed, Puma felt like he’d lost all connection to Shades Cove. Then, two years ago, his father took his final breath, and the father-son feud was buried with him. Puma skipped the funeral. If Storm hadn’t wanted to see his son in ten years, then Puma thought it best not to attend.
When he returned to town last week, he knew time wasn’t on his side. He’d have to see Bryar eventually. Better sooner than later.
The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue across Storm Pass's rolling hills and expansive meadows.
The property stretched out like a patchwork quilt, with vibrant fall wildflowers dotting the grassy fields and clusters of pine trees standing sentinel along the ridges. As Puma walked the land he’d inherited, he felt a deep connection to the earth beneath his feet. He loved this place—loved that hard work had shaped him.
Unfortunately, Storm had sold the livestock, every horse, every piece of equipment in the last year he was alive. Puma would have to buy all the basics to get the place up and running again. It seemed quite the hassle, but he couldn’t turn back now. He’d already enlisted his brothers-in-arms to help and join him in his new adventure, Shades of Steel Security. They’d help work the land and run the business. They’d open their doors to others who needed a place to land after serving their country. A lot of the men he’d fought battles with had suffered PTSD—some even took their own lives. Puma wanted to prevent more lives from being lost.
His crew would arrive within a month. He had thirty days to prepare the farmhouse and bunkhouse, and to get the ranch functioning again. He’d sold his buddies on a dream of working a ranch and having a peaceful landing spot in Shades Cove. He didn’t want them arriving and turning back around because it seemed hopeless.
The air was crisp and fresh, filled with pine and wild sage, reminding him of his childhood exploring the hills and mountains. He could hear the distant rush of the river winding through the valley and see a part of it, its water sparkling like diamonds in the sunlight. Every corner of the property held memories—secret hideaways where he’d played, rocky outcrops where he’d explored, and quiet spots where he’d soaked in the beauty of nature.
This was all his now. The thought was a bit surreal.
As he ventured further, he discovered a small clearing, a hidden gem in the landscape. Tall grasses swayed gently in the breeze, and a few boulders created natural seating, perfect for reflection. He could feel the pulse of life around him—a family of deer grazing in the distance, birds flitting from branch to branch, and the whisper of the wind through the trees.
Puma smiled as he envisioned what the future might hold for this land. He felt a sense of responsibility to honor his family’s legacy and to create a space where new memories could be made for years to come. Whether rebuilding the old barn, planting a garden, or simply reconnecting with the community that had raised him, his heart swelled with possibilities.
Returning to Shades Cove wasn’t just about reclaiming land. It was about rediscovering himself and the roots that had shaped him. The mountains loomed protectively in the background, a reminder that he belonged here.
After sitting and pondering a bit, he gave himself a pep talk as he strode along the overgrown path that once had been worn to dirt. He could make this happen. He had his mind set on building a reputable security company and a working ranch. Now that he’d done his time in the SEALs, he was back to being a civilian. He had every intention of living his life to its fullest.
The ranch and a dream were all that he had.
He’d been in Kuwait when he’d received the letter from Storm's attorney letting Puma know that his pa had passed away. He’d left everything to Puma, which had been a bit shocking. Puma guessed the old man didn’t have anyone else to leave his legacy to.
The thought added some bitterness to Puma’s excitement as he headed back toward the house.
He walked into the hundred-year-old farmhouse that needed some TLC and a coat of paint. The place looked the same as it had the day he’d left. If he closed his eyes for just a moment, he could imagine his ma still sitting in the old wooden rocker near the fireplace, knitting a hat or scarf for someone at church. Sue was like that. She’d always been the first person to fix a pot of soup for someone sick or organize a fundraiser in a family’s time of need. That’s why it had been a hard pill to swallow when Puma started paying attention to how Storm had treated his wife. Then the rumors started swirling around town. He’d been given gold and traded it for an affair with Bobbi LeGuard.
The drama had been the talk of the town, which caused a feud between Rory LeGuard and Storm Steel, long-time best friends. The dispute had been fueled by hurt pride.
Had Puma made a mistake coming back?
Could ten years of time have eased the past?
The drama wasn’t at the top of his priority list. He had bigger worries, like how to get the ranch back up and running after Storm had allowed things to go downhill. The once-reputable beef ranch was nothing but bare land. He’d soaked up a lot of information and knowledge from Storm in his childhood, but could Puma do it?
He’d give it his fucking best shot.
He swiped off his Stetson and scrubbed a hand through his too-long hair that was quite different than the standard high and tight he’d worn in the military. He’d allowed it to grow to rebel against the tight regimen he’d followed all those years, but maybe it was time to cut the wavy mess. Blowing out a loud breath his gaze naturally fell onto the framed picture on the end table. He swiped it up and used the tail of his shirt to wipe the dust off the glass. It was the only picture he had of his son. He set it back carefully like he handled a treasure.
The past was now nothing but a distant memory.
The world, as broken as it was, belonged to Puma. Shades Cove was his home.
The old demons would either stay buried, or he would have to find a shovel and bury them himself.
If the LeGuard family didn’t like that he was back, they’d have to kiss his ass. He was here to stay.
His cell vibrated, and he pulled it out of his pocket, not recognizing the local number. Clicking ‘talk,’ he heard a familiar voice say, “Don’t hang up. I need to speak to you regarding my sister.”