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Celia Remington is a single mother, an independent woman who has managed the family ranch alone for thirteen years, ever since her father died. Her grandfather is old and feeble, confined to his bed. Drug smugglers are using the remote areas of the ranch, and Celia fears for the safety of her thirteen-year-old daughter, her stock, and her ranch workers. She makes arrangements for a female DEA agent to investigate, who will pretend to be Celia's cousin.
Brady Coleman, DEA Special Agent, arrives in place of the female agent Celia had expected, and works undercover as a ranch hand. They explain to neighbors that he's an "old college boyfriend." Tall, good-looking, and exuding confidence, the guilt he feels over his best friend's death is well hidden. Celia is attracted to him, but is his response to her just part of his cover?
The drug smugglers grow bolder and the danger intensifies. Cattle are stolen, including an expensive Brangus bull that Celia had purchased with a bank loan. The increase in late-night traffic across ranch land, Celia's feeling of being watched, phone call hang-ups late at night—all combine to create stress and anxiety. In the midst of this tense situation, Celia is now concerned about another person's safety, a young visitor to the ranch.
Rustand's subplots are just as interesting as her main plot. Vincente Marquez has worked at the ranch since Celia's grandfather's early years. When his granddaughter Mia, recently orphaned, travels from New York looking for relatives, Vincente rejects and ignores her. The mystery and suspense build to a final resolution. And is Adan Calaveras, the young ranch hand, all he seems?
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Rustand's characters come alive with unique and appealing personalities. I was drawn to Celia's courage and independent attitude, and sympathized with Vincente, whose life contained so much heartache and pain. Rustand's fresh metaphors and descriptions sparkle throughout the book. As a native Texan, I appreciated Rustand's details of ranch life and Texas weather. I highly recommend this novel and will look for other work by Roxanne Rustand.
Reviewed by Marie DisBrow
for The Road to Romance
Augus, 2, 2004
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