TJ Larson has grown from the small freckled-faced boy used as the muse for the Tony Baloney children's books into a strong handsome young man. TJ leaves his father's horse ranch to manage the 5M, a ranch in Texas, one of the largest ranches in the state owned by his half brother, Clay Mathews, and his father, Colt Mathews. His task will be to help switch the ranch from cattle and horses to breeding fine working horses.

With the sale of cattle setting up the perfect opportunity for rustling, Cody Mathews shows up to recuperate from wounds while working her job in law enforcement. She gets tangled up in the rustling case, pulling TJ along with her into all the excitement and danger. But can TJ keep his feelings for Cody as his half brother's child from moving to dangerous ground and still keep her close so he can protect her?