Gabriela Navarro ran away from the only home she had known not really considering the ramifications of her decision and what her leaving would mean to her father. She was an angry young woman who had felt betrayed by not only her father but by the young man who had come to mean everything to her. Gabriela knew there were seemingly insurmountable odds of her relationship with Eli Wolverton ever amounting to anything lasting but the girl in her had faith and trusted what little they had. But there were other forces at work in Chamizal -- powerful influential forces that created a very real threat to both Eli and Gabriela. Eli became a fugitive. Gabriela escaped to New York following a path that would take her as far away from Chamizal as possible. For nine years each of them would follow separate paths but in the end the death of Gabriela's father would bring them both right back where it all began. Now as she coped with the guilt over being estranged from her father for so many years, Gabriela knows that she must uncover why he had died and by whose hands. Both Eli and the new sheriff Chad are anxious to protect her, but from whom. After so much time and betrayal who is trustworthy and who is not, and time is not on her side.

RETURN TO WEST TEXAS is a story about secrets that could ultimately destroy the very fabric of the lives of two rather innocent young people. Secrets that were meant to protect but in fact put them both in peril. It is also a story about survival and finding inner strength. Brashear's characters in this story have a lot going for them. They are gutsy and smart. Hopefully that will be enough.

Book Summary

To Eli, the soul of my soul, the beat of my heart…

The sentimental words of a love-struck girl. Gabriela Navarro had inscribed them in a book back when she'd believed she and Eli Wolverton would always be together. Before he'd abandoned her.

Eli had to leave her, though—to protect her. Just as he has to protect her now, when she is facing a deadly threat she doesn't even know about.

But this time Eli won't walk out on the only person who's ever believed in him. This time he'll be there to keep Gaby safe…whether she wants his help or not. Because when Gaby looks into his eyes, he knows she still means those words she wrote so long ago.