Whirlwind Bride

You know how I am always harping on listing the characters? Well this story is loaded with a lot of fun characters. Mainly with Riley Holt, the rancher that Adam Phelps sent his sister to. Then we have Sheriff Davis Lee Holt, the older brother who is a neat character himself. [story #3] There is a mention of a cousin, Texas Ranger Jericho Blue,[story #2] who is chasing the McDougal gang. A mean, murderous bunch. Ah, and Susannah Phelps, who is pregnant, disillusioned and hoping to marry Riley [because her brother tells her he will]. She is a beautiful blond city gal from St. Louis and doesn't know that Riley is afraid city gals are not tough enough for the harshness of Texas. The stagecoach driver, Ollie [he is killed on the way out of town] and Cora Wilks. She turns out to be Susannah's best friend in Whirlwind, Texas. I never did figure out J.T. Baldwin and his sons Matt and Russ [they both are well over 6 feet tall] maybe they run the livery stables. She is introduced to Ef Gerard, the blacksmith -- Pearl Anderson who owns the restaurant, "The Pearl" - Cal Doyle the lawyer and his brother Jed Doyle the gunsmith. The shy widowed rancher, Jake Ross [story #4]who would like to court Susannah - Pete Carter, the saloon owner and his 12 year old son Creed. Tony Santos and his 12 year old son Miguel - and Evelyn Donnally and her 12 year old son Andrew. [he figures in story #2 with his sister] Riley flatly refuses to marry Susannah but he sure does fall in lust with her. She returns the favor but will not settle to being anyone's mistress. So she and Cora set up a charm school for the ladies and mostly the men show up. It is great. And we run into a few horse races that is won by a mysterious rider and black horse. Except when Whip and Riley beat the bankers horse. Truly a story in keeping with the morals of the times [1883] and a decent town - only don't forget those killers on the loose. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - Very enjoyable - and a keeper.