The Rancher's Christmas Gift — Jolene Navarro

Love comes in an unexpected package for this cowboy and his K-9s.

Content with his quiet life training service dogs, the last thing army veteran Joaquin DeLeon wants is a runaway bride disrupting his peace. Looking for shelter after running out on an arranged marriage, environmental engineering professor Xitlali Kan is determined to carve out her own happiness -- for herself and her neurodivergent son. Despite their personal reservations, the single mom and silent cowboy find themselves getting closer as young Oscar bonds with Joaquin's latest training dog, Luna. But when the past catches up with Lali, will they lose out on their chance to build the family they all deserve?