Not Yours to Carry (High Lonesome #3)

High Lonesome loves a tradition. A parade. A pageant. A reason to gather around and judge you with a smile.

So when Rory Kelley’s dad asks me to step in as the Kelley family’s Mr. Lonesome representative, I do what any man hopelessly in love would do: I agree… and immediately regret it.

I’m a small-town cop, not a pageant guy. My idea of competition is who can grill the best burger, not who can charm a room full of ruthless grandmas armed with clipboards and opinions.

But Rory’s been through enough. She deserves steady. Safe. Me.

And if winning this pageant proves I’m here to stay, then fine—I’ll smile, wave, and survive whatever humiliating “talent portion” they throw at me. The real problem isn’t the pageant.

It’s Rory.

She’s distracted. Distant in the quiet moments. Like she’s standing beside me… and also a mile away. No matter how many times I ask, she insists she’s okay. And maybe she believes it.

Until life flips the board without warning, and I’m forced to face one terrifying question: What happens to my forever if Rory’s body—and her heart—can’t carry what she’s been holding back?

Small-town chaos. Big feelings. “It was always you” devotion. And a love that refuses to quit.

If you love Pippa Grant, Meghan Quinn and Lauren Blakely, you’ll devour Book 3 in the High Lonesome series!