Hope for the best but expect the worst...That's Richard Parker-Harris' outlook on life, so of course that's how he ends up. Broke and brokenhearted on his grandmother's doorstep -- again. Richard realizes this is getting to be a pattern, one he is determined to break.Hopefully before history repeats itself and Susan Cade, his stepsister Meredith's cousin, breaks his nose -- again. But that seems to be where events are headed when Meredith invites Richard to Cicada Ranch, the horse farm she and Susan own in California, and Richard fails to recognize Susan.The ugly duckling Richard last saw eight years ago has turned into a swan, a gorgeous redhead who still has an uncanny knack for picking winners at the track. Richard needs money, but he wants Susan. More than he's ever wanted any woman.Susan is hopelessly in love with Richard -- the scoundrel, the wastrel -- the real ugly duckling. For once he vows to do the right thing and get out of Susan's life.But love has other plans.