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Prologue: Denmark, Texas, 1867
Reuben Wilson and his brothers, Caleb and Colt had no choice but to leave their six year old brother behind. There were sheriffs from three towns hunting them, they were considered outlaws. In order not to get caught they were going to go their separate ways and hope someday they would be back together as a family. They each promised they would try and start living on the right side of the law.
Reuben’s Atonement by Lynette Sowell
Raiders Crossing, Wyoming Territory, February 1880
Reuben Wilson returned just days before his sweet mother went to meet the Lord. She never fully recovered when her sons left all those years ago. Reuben knows he must make things right to Charlotte Jeffers, the girl he left behind. Will she forgive him; this has haunted him for a long time.
Charlotte Jeffers does want to believe Reuben, she never forgot him. She has been stepping out with a man, James, but there are not the same feelings for him which she has had for Reuben. When Reuben mentions to her to be careful of James, she does not understand why.
Reuben and Charlotte both want to be together. They need to overcome and forgive before they can have a future. Their trust is tested when Reuben is accused of stealing money by none other than James.
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Outlaw Sheriff by Kathleen Miller
Dime Box, Arizona May 1881
Caleb Wilson came to this town to start a new life on the right side of the law. When he is mistaken for the new sheriff, he wants to tell the truth, but situations occur which prevent him from speaking up. One of the situations which have occurred is Lydia Bertrand; she has come as a mail order bride for the new sheriff, which is not Caleb.
Lydia Bertrand did not want to travel west as a bride. Her mother was behind this latest scheme, if Lydia’s father had been home, this never would have happened. Once she arrives, she tries to make the best out a difficult situation, just until her father receives her letter and comes rescues her.
Caleb and Lydia have to both deal with situations neither one of them created. They will need to find the courage and strength needed to make everything right.
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The Peacemaker by DiAnn Mills
Texas, 1880
Colt Wilson has been released from prison. What he needs to solve his problem is money. He decides to look up his old partner, Will Langley, instead he meets Will’s widow and two daughters.
Ann Langley knows an ex-convict when she sees one. She racked her brain, but the name Colt Wilson didn’t seem familiar. Her husband may have known Colt but he never mentioned him to her. She needed Colt, she has just lost two ranch hands, and she will need help in keeping the ranch running.
Colt and Anne will need to work together in order to survive both the elements and the threat of a murderer running around the area. Anne fears she has put everyone in danger by hiring Colt as a ranch hand. Colt fears he has brought all this trouble down on Anne’s land. He needs to get to the bottom of this before Anne or her daughters are hurt or even worse killed.
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A Gamble on Love by Tamela Hancock Murray
Denmark, Texas, summer, 1882
Benjamin Wilson has been cheating at cards for a long time, he has not done this on his own, his partner Pearl gives him code words, so he knows which cards the other players have. They are both very good at this deception. Benjamin senses Pearl wants out of this lifestyle. He needs to convince her to stay, they have worked well together, why ruin a good thing.
Pearl is heading home, her mother is very ill; she is the only person who is available to help her. She will miss Benjamin, but she also knows he would never fit into her world at home. She once was very connected to the Lord; she needs to have that strong connection again in order to feel right.
Pearl and Benjamin will need to both find their true selves. When Benjamin follows Pearl home, he finds more than he anticipated. Pearl tries to find a way for Benjamin to find his way back to the Lord and to leave the card sharking behind him.
I enjoyed all the stories in this latest anthology. There is a common theme of faith and forgiveness in each one. The ending was a wonderful way to tie all the stories together.
Reviewed by Patsy Glans
for The Road to Romance
December 4, 2006
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