Moving to McFarland during high school is the last thing Y/N wants. Homesick and struggling to adjust to a small town where everyone knows everyone, she plans to keep her head down until graduation—until Coach White recruits her for the cross-country team. Thrown into a close-knit group of runners, Y/N quickly clashes with Thomas Valles, a quiet, stubborn teammate who seems determined to get under her skin. What starts as constant teasing and competition slowly turns into something more as early morning practices, long runs, and unexpected friendships begin changing how Y/N sees McFarland—and Thomas. Sometimes, the place you never wanted to be ends up feeling the most like home.
At twenty-three years old, Y/N never expected a failed attempt at capturing a fugitive to change her life. After catching the attention of Dog and Beth Chapman, Y/N is offered the opportunity to train alongside one of the most famous bounty hunting teams in the country. Determined to prove herself, she throws everything she has into learning the dangerous and unpredictable profession. There is just one problem: Leland Chapman. Experienced, stubborn, and thoroughly unimpressed by her rookie mistakes, Leland seems convinced Y/N has no business being in the field. What starts as constant arguments and clashing personalities slowly evolves into reluctant respect, unexpected friendship, and feelings neither of them planned for. As Y/N navigates high-risk captures, difficult training, and life with the Chapman family, she discovers that bounty hunting is far more dangerous—and far more rewarding—than she ever imagined. **Tropes:** Enemies to Friends to Lovers • Slow Burn • Age Gap Romance • Found Family • Rookie x Veteran • Workplace Romance • Mutual Pining • Action & Adventure Romance