Disguised as a man, Kat Diamond flees from her stepfather's murderous goons with a fortune in heirloom jewels. With fate on her side, her path crosses Judd Lassiter's--a notorious bounty hunter she desperately wants to hire. When Kat offers him a portion of her inheritance if he'll get her safely to Santa Fe, she doesn't count on a deal that's fraught with danger at every turn--and has her gladly surrendering her heart . . .Known as Panther, Judd Lassiter is as fearless and untamed as his namesake, a half-breed more at home stalking his quarry in the wild than confined in civilization. Kat Diamond's exquisite beauty is enough to tempt any man--even a loner like himself. But with the law on her trail, a murder charge against her, and a bounty on her head, he suspects she's guilty of double dealing . . . until their trek through the wilderness puts his trust to the test, turning their bargain into a passionate bond--and a fight for a love more precious than gold.