Cardwell Ranch (Book 12)
He's riding straight into danger.
Wrangler Angus Savage has come to Wyoming to help Jinx
McCallahan get her cattle to high country. He's signed on for the dangerous
drive, eager to reconnect with the woman he knew when they were kids. Now in
the wilderness the no-nonsense cowboy and the strong-willed rancher must
navigate the trail's many hazards -- like her treacherous ex who wants her
back…or dead.
This was a good, fast-paced suspense story with some romance
along for the ride. Jinx's ranch is in trouble. After her father's death, it
was just her to run the ranch. She already kicked her cheating husband to the
curb and is in the process of divorcing him. The trouble is, TD wants at least
half the ranch. He also wants Jinx back. TD is a violent, obsessed man who will
do anything to get what he wants. He made it impossible for Jinx to hire and
keep local ranch hands, so she advertised out of state for wranglers.
Three wranglers from Montana showed up at her door. Twin
brothers, Angus and Brick Cardwell Savage, and their cousin, Ella Cardwell,
were sent by their mother. Dana had been a friend of Jinx's mother, though Jinx
didn't remember the connection at first. Angus remembers Jinx very well,
especially an event from their childhood. He was curious to see how that
nine-year-old spitfire turned out.
The suspense and action were intense from the beginning. TD's
intentions are evident from his first appearance. He will either win Jinx back
or kill her, and he isn't all that picky about which one it is. Now, TD isn't
the sharpest tool in the shed, but what he doesn't have in brains he makes up
for with devious persistence. Once Jinx and the others have the cattle on the
trail to the high meadow, TD and his buddies aren't far behind. Jinx and the
others know that he is coming for them, which makes for a tension-filled trip. I
was as antsy as they were as I waited for TD to make his first move. As each
attempt that he made was foiled, TD's anger and obsession grew. I was on the
edge of my seat during that last night, as TD made his attempt. I liked the
steps that Jinx, Angus, and the others took to give them an edge. Matters are
complicated by TD's girlfriend, who has taken steps to cut out her competition.
The events on the mountain don't go his way and leave TD even more determined
to get what he wants. There are a couple of twists leading up to the final confrontation,
and it is a nail-biter as Jinx faces two enemies. I did like the way it turned
out.
The development of the relationship between Jinx and
Angus wasn't as intense as the suspense. There was no doubt that the two of
them noticed each other, but neither was interested in a relationship. Angus
was recently burned in his love life, and Jinx isn't interested in a new
relationship when she hasn't yet gotten rid of the old one. However, Angus
can't help feeling protective, and that makes Jinx feel safer. Both feel the
stirrings of attraction, but Angus realizes that Jinx has too much going on to
be in the right place for him to pursue her. I loved the last chapter and Jinx's
arrival at Cardwell Ranch after several months apart. I liked that they made the effort to get to know each other during that time. I laughed out loud at
Dana's reaction.
I also really liked the development of the secondary
characters. Brick and his charm and competitiveness were intriguing, and I'm
looking forward to getting to know him better. Ella's clear-sighted view of
those around her helped me see things I might have missed. I'm also interested
in her worry about her mother, as I remember reading Stacy's story many years
ago. The author's descriptions of TD's "minions" showed each of them
with the weaknesses that made them susceptible to his pressure on them.
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