The Valentine Ranch

When a burned-out Nashville songwriter inherits her grandmother’s Montana ranch—and accidentally tells the entire town she’s dating the grumpy foreman who has six weeks to get engaged or lose everything—she has forty-two days to save his inheritance, figure out who she really is, and decide if some fake relationships are worth making real.

Cassidy Morgan is done with Nashville. Done with writing songs that sell her soul. Done with panic attacks before pitch meetings. When her late grandmother leaves her a Montana ranch, Cass sees an escape. Six weeks to breathe. To remember who she was before she became someone who performs happiness for a living.

The catch? Wyatt Collins co-owns the ranch. He’s got forty-two days to be “settled down” or the place gets sold. He hasn’t dated in three years. Has no prospects. Is emotionally unavailable and proud of it. Then Cass impulsively tells Millie’s Diner they’re together—and accidentally solves his problem.

Six weeks of fake dating. Living together in the foreman’s cottage. Convincing the town, the estate lawyer, and Wyatt’s suspicious brother they’re in love. It’s just business. Public hand-holding. Staged couple photos. Walk away clean on Valentine’s Day with money to start fresh. Except living together makes it hard to remember what’s fake. Working Montana winters side by side means learning to trust. And somewhere between blizzards and midnight confessions, the performance becomes real.

But when Wyatt’s brother hires a private investigator to expose them, they risk losing everything—the ranch, their freedom, and the love that grew from their lies. Cass’s dream publishing deal waits in Nashville. Wyatt won’t ask her to sacrifice her career. This time, if she wants this life, she has to choose it. If she wants him, she has to say it. No more performing. Just truth.

TROPES:
• Fake Dating
• Forced Proximity
• Grumpy/Sunshine
• Enemies to Lovers (lite)
• Small Town Romance
• Cowboy Romance
• Only One Bed
• Found Family
• Marriage of Convenience (sort of)
• Return to Roots
• Valentine’s Day Deadline

HEAT LEVEL: Sweet / Closed Door