The Cowboy's Secret Crush
(2026)(The third book in the Rivera Ridge Rescue series)
A novel by Kat Angel
I came to Rivera Ridge Rescue to teach riding, not to fall for the grumpy firefighter next door.
Garrett barely speaks, fixes things without asking, and watches me like I’m a puzzle he can’t quite solve.
He shows up everywhere.
Helps me renovate my late grandmother’s ranch.
Brings me coffee without being asked.
Every touch lingers too long.
Every look burns hotter.
Then a storm traps us overnight at my grandmother’s place.
One bed.
An almost kiss.
And the walls he’s kept locked for years finally crack.
He tells me about the fire that still haunts him.
The woman he couldn’t save.
The guilt that convinced him he isn’t worthy of love.
For one fragile moment, I think he’s choosing me.
Then he disappears.
Weeks later, he’s back—no hesitation in his eyes.
He’s been in love with me for twelve years.
I didn’t even know his name.
He says he’s done running.
I left everything for a new life here.
This time, I don’t get to run.
A sweet, small-town fresh-start romance about found family, redemption, and a love that finally feels like home.
This book is a stand-alone in the series and does not need to be ready in order.
The Rivera Ridge Rescue Series:
Book 1, Fake Dating the Cowboy: A fresh start leads to fake feelings when a woman fleeing her past agrees to a pretend romance with the grumpy ex-SEAL who runs the rescue ranch.
Book 2, The Cowboy’s Found Family: Sparks fly when a guarded ranch hand who grew up in foster care meets the intense new vet determined to save every broken thing—including him.
Book 3, The Cowboy’s Secret Crush: A riding instructor clashes with her brooding firefighter neighbor — until a storm, one bed, and a twelve-year secret change everything.
Genre: Romance
Garrett barely speaks, fixes things without asking, and watches me like I’m a puzzle he can’t quite solve.
He shows up everywhere.
Helps me renovate my late grandmother’s ranch.
Brings me coffee without being asked.
Every touch lingers too long.
Every look burns hotter.
Then a storm traps us overnight at my grandmother’s place.
One bed.
An almost kiss.
And the walls he’s kept locked for years finally crack.
He tells me about the fire that still haunts him.
The woman he couldn’t save.
The guilt that convinced him he isn’t worthy of love.
For one fragile moment, I think he’s choosing me.
Then he disappears.
Weeks later, he’s back—no hesitation in his eyes.
He’s been in love with me for twelve years.
I didn’t even know his name.
He says he’s done running.
I left everything for a new life here.
This time, I don’t get to run.
A sweet, small-town fresh-start romance about found family, redemption, and a love that finally feels like home.
This book is a stand-alone in the series and does not need to be ready in order.
The Rivera Ridge Rescue Series:
Book 1, Fake Dating the Cowboy: A fresh start leads to fake feelings when a woman fleeing her past agrees to a pretend romance with the grumpy ex-SEAL who runs the rescue ranch.
Book 2, The Cowboy’s Found Family: Sparks fly when a guarded ranch hand who grew up in foster care meets the intense new vet determined to save every broken thing—including him.
Book 3, The Cowboy’s Secret Crush: A riding instructor clashes with her brooding firefighter neighbor — until a storm, one bed, and a twelve-year secret change everything.
Genre: Romance
Used availability for Kat Angel's The Cowboy's Secret Crush