Loner's Lady

Ellen O'Brian wanted to keep her farm. She was just waiting for her husband, Dan to return. He has been gone about 3 years. Jess Flint shows up without a horse, underhanded intentions, and needing a reason to stay at the O'Brian farm. Wouldn't you know, Ellen's mistrust of Jess drives her to breaking her leg giving Jess a very good reason to stay. It was very humorous, the pride Jess took in learning to bake and exhibit the cake. Though he did not like the attentions being paid to Ellen at the dance. On hearing about a jail break, Jess had to destroy Ellen's faith in her husband and rattle her security but danger was in the offing. I always wondered what part Cassie played in Jess's life and sure found out when J.D., Gray and Dan showed up at the farm. Now who was going to kill who? J.D. wanted to kill Jess. Dan was trying to goad one to kill the other. Gray seemed almost too innocent and yet ????? Ellen was devastated when Jess left. Now she was all alone. Would she ever have the baby that she longed for? A man to love her? Definitely Recommended -m

Ms. Banning has penned another intriguing romance. Jess Flint arrives at the farm of Ellen O'Brian tried and hungry. Her husband abandoned her and her hired hand took off. She offers him a meal and soon he offers to stay on as an unpaid hired helper. Ellen fears Jess has betrayed her trust but he redeems himself when he rescues her from a creek. He sets her broken leg and tends to her tenderly. Ellen remains circumspect as she is a married woman. When trouble comes in the form of her missing husband, now an outlaw and killer, her loyalties are divided. Does she trust her husband or the man who has proven himself to be protective and caring? As things escalate, violence rears its ugly head and puts both Jess and Ellen in fear of their lives. It is a tortuous journey for Jess and Ellen but reaches a satisfactory conclusion as Ellen learns the true meaning of love and Jess learns to live again. There is a very cute subplot concerning Ellen's elderly uncle, James and the owner of the boardinghouse. For over 40 years, James has loved Iona but fear prevents him from declaring his love. While cute, it drags on a little too long before Iona takes matters into her own hands. You will enjoy this story as Ellen and Jess cope with the conventions of the old West but love wins out. It is a good read that I recommend highly.