The Wildcatter

Eleven years ago wildcatter Miguel Heydt comes to the Suntop ranch hoping to strike it rich. While he finds indications of black gold, he also finds something else of tremendous value. The rancher's glorious daughter Risa transforms his world even as he tells himself a woman of wealth and privilege could never want a poor half-breed like himself. Then her father offers a deal he cannot resist; he has only to marry Risa and father a son to achieve all of his dreams at once.Risa brings home a totally inappropriate fiancé, at least in her father's eyes. Ben has no intention of allowing the ranch he has built to fall into the hands of a scheming lawyer who sees his fortune in dividing and selling the ranch off someday as little "ranchettes." So he takes a risk on the penniless ranch hand who hunts oil by night, in hopes of sparing his daughter heartache. But when Risa learns of her father and husband's agreement, she disappears without a trace, gets an annulment, and marries her former fiancé. The past and present collide when Miguel and Risa arrive at Suntop at the same time, eleven years later. Secrets and betrayals of the past threaten to destroy their relationship again, before it is even reborn, lending THE WILDCATTER intense conflict. Author Peggy Nicholson skillfully balances the timeframes of past and present to create a richly developed story. As secrets come to light, both Risa and Miguel are forced to undergo tremendous growth and change. These beautifully developed characters and well-paced plot provide delightful reading that comes highly recommended.