Cattle Valley Volume 13 Confessions Government contracted mercenary, James 'Priest' Evans, slides back into town after a mission gone very wrong. Haunted by his latest kill, Priest's job is weighing heavily on his mind for the first time in memory. In Cattle Valley to heal and re-evaluate his life, Priest didn't expect love but that's exactly where's he's headed. After a devastating and very public breakup, Luke Hatcher has given up on love. He's more than happy to enjoy hot and heavy sex, but that's as far as he's willing to go. When he runs into Priest, Luke believes their mutual lack of trust is perfect for a short-term holiday affair. Their steamy affair takes an unexpected turn when Priest makes a bedroom confession that will forever change the way he views life and love. Will the confession bring them closer together, or will it send Luke packing? Shadow Soldier Deacon McConnell spends his days as a woodcarver and his nights as head of one of the most secretive government agencies in the United States. When he meets a man troubled by his time spent in the Middle East, Deacon feels drawn to the pain in the handsome man's eyes. He makes the decision to help Aaron Ellis any way he can. Dishonourably discharged from the Army, it takes everything Aaron has to get out of bed each morning. He's become used to faking his way through life, putting on a happy face when the situation calls for it is a lot easier than dealing with his buried memories. The day Aaron wanders into Deacon's store for the first time, the last thing he expects is an immediate connection with the shop owner. For the first time since leaving the service, Aaron begins to believe there may be light at the end of the dark tunnel. The nights he spends in Deacon's arms slowly begin to drive the shadows from his heart. After years spent serving his country, Deacon yearns for a normal life. The move to Cattle Valley is the first step, opening up to Aaron the second. When duty calls Deacon out of town, he begins to wonder how much more he'll be forced to give up for his country.