Her dog saved his life. Now it’s his turn to protect what matters most.

Peyton McIntyre’s brother has vanished without a trace. The police in Pelican Cove, South Carolina, claim they’re on the case, but Peyton isn’t convinced. With every passing day, hope fades and her frustration grows. Desperate for answers and running out of time, she turns to the one person who might listen—rookie officer Kurt Collins.

Officer Kurt Collins is determined to prove himself in his family’s long line of decorated lawmen. He just didn’t expect that chance to come in the form of a stubborn, sharp-tongued dog trainer with a missing-persons case—and a dog who once saved his life. Helping Peyton might finally earn him the respect he’s been chasing —and, if he’s lucky, a shot at the future he never saw coming.

As secrets surface and the search grows dangerous, Kurt and Peyton must decide how far they will go for justice, truth, and each other. Can Gilda, the heroic pup who brought them together, help her humans find the courage to rescue each other?

Set against the salt-kissed shores of Pelican Cove, Protecting Peyton is a heart-racing tale of love, loyalty, and second chances. The first book in the Guardians of the Heart series, this story is perfect for fans of sweet romantic suspense with Southern charm and heroic golden retrievers.