After twenty years Cisco "Kid" Hardin is home in High Cotton, Texas securing mineral rights leases for Shilah Oil, the company he and his brothers now own. Little did Kid know that the girl he left behind is the very one he is requiring a signature from. Lucinda "Lucky" Littlefield has also returned to run her father's bar since his illness. Promising to return for his first love, Kid got caught up in college with parties and other women, shirking his promise.

Lucky uses running the bar to conceal her real job as an undercover agent to a special ranger for Texas and the Southwest Cattle Raisers Assn. in exposing a cattle rustling ring. Softening Lucky up is more of a challenge than anticipated and also reveals a heartbreaking secret that she has kept from him all these years. Her trust of Kid was destroyed years ago and Christmas time brings reminders of the tragedy she bore by herself. Both Kid and Lucky find their sexual libidos haven't lessened in all the years when they find themselves stowed away in a box car attached to others containing stolen goods and cattle. The smoldering sex is just as good as they both remembered and old feelings are awakened. Even after they both come to terms in realizing their love was never lost, Lucky still cannot trust Kid to be worthy of her love. Convincing her to give him another chance at the mature and responsible Kid is a challenge beyond anything he has ever had but determined by the guilt he carries from their loss of the past.

Lucky will break your heart when her tragic loss is revealed to Kid. Together they both must learn to trust, love, and move on in life. Lucky, believing this move will be separately, even though she still loves him, and Kid desperately striving to win her heart again. This is one of those "good feeling" endings that stirs the heart and reeks of reality and the struggle to overcome ones fears. The only negative thing I can say is that the story ended too quickly.

Book Summary

Asking for a favor from a woman scorned isn't Cisco "Kid" Hardin's smartest move. But he needs Lucinda "Lucky" Littlefield's land for his oil company. Surely enough time has passed since he left her—and his promises—behind? Apparently not, because Lucky still holds a lot of resentment.

Then Kid learns of the baby Lucky lost—their baby—and he's determined to right his wrongs. He needs to prove he's a man worthy of her love and trust. And he plans to do it by transforming his sins of the past into the most glorious holiday season she has ever seen.