First loves are never forgotten loves
Bella's first and only love was never far from her dreams. When Callen broke up with her because of a misunderstanding, Bella was done with forever love. She threw herself into her art and tried to forget that Callen held her heart and her Baby girl fantasies. Now, the life she had built had turned sour, too. Done with the city life that had turned cruel, Bella was relieved when she was called home to care for her dying mother. Then she saw Callen, and suddenly, she believed in second chances. The minute Callen saw Bella walking onto the ranch, he knew rough waters were ahead. She looked defeated, and he couldn't have that for his girl. He never stopped loving her, but he was older and wiser now. She either accepted him or rejected him as the possessive, loving man and daddy he was, but after this, he would be done holding his heart in wait for her.
Once again in his arms, Callen reluctantly agrees that Bella accepts a huge commission for a series of paintings away from his protection and daily attention for her career. But creating this art was far from the nurturing experience painting had always been for Bella. Before the dust settled, protective Red Eagles landed, and crime bosses clashed over whether Bella's commission would cost her not only her freedom but possibly her life.