Only she can heal his battered heart . . . When Rafe Jerry was ordered off his family's California ranch, he swore never to return. Instead, he ran away to war, where the harsh realities of battle transformed him into a crack soldier-and an unexpected betrayal made him a man to be feared. Now the war has ended and Rafe is left with two goals: track down the man who betrayed his brothers-in-arms, and fight for the land that should have been his. He has no room in his hardened heart for love . . . but Maria de la Guerra is like no woman he's ever known. With her gentle strength and endless compassion, she may be his only chance to let go of the pain of the past-and finally be free. The war has changed them all, and each of the Night Riders must decide what is more important: love or revenge?