Giant of Mesabi (Harlequin Presents #259)

Morgan Bodine takes pride in two things: being a rancher and being a lawman. He's part owner of the Silver Dollar Ranch; he's also Tombstone's acting sheriff. Jesentha Clifwalker is proud of her Apache heritage. And she's proud of her work as a biologist. Jaz is living on Bodine land; in fact, she grew up on the Bodine ranch, where her father still works. Jasentha, who's become something of a recluse for reasons she won't discuss, has devoted her life to studying and protecting the bats that live in the Silver Dollar's caves. Years ago Morgan and Jasentha were in love-but it was a love there weren't ready for. Are they ready now? The'll find out when a stranter comes to Tombstone threatening everything they value most....

Jasentha Cliffwalker is a Nidé Apache woman who lives most of the year in a tent with Striker, her coal black German Shepherd. She is an eco-biologist who is studying brown bats. She has been living on Bodine land outside of Tombstone, Arizona for the last four years doing this. In fact she grew up on Bodine land as her father worked for the Bodines.Morgan Earp Bodine is the acting sheriff of Tombstone as his brother Wyatt Earp Bodine, the real sheriff, has had to take some time off because of his wife's complicated pregnancy. And yes, before you ask, there is another brother and his name is, surprise, surprise, Virgil Earp Bodine.One day, Morgan comes by Jasentha's camp and all of a sudden it seems those old sparks are igniting. You see they were in love when they were children, only Morgan's father didn't want his son dating a Nidé woman and Jaz's father didn't want her dating a white man. So now they are the best of friends and he has given her unrestricted use of Morgan land to conduct her studies. However bats are not the only reason she needs to use Morgan land. She has another secret reason. One she can't even tell Morgan about, but will she tell him once the romance starts heating up again? And it will heat up it again, you can bet you bottom dollar on that.I just love the stories written by Anne Marie Duquette. Ms. Duquette always delivers delicious romance and a first rate story to go with it. Her characters are as real as your neighbors, just a darned sight more interesting. I loved this book and I think you will as well.A Harlequin Dreamers Review by Gracie Houston