Morie Brannt was on a mission to be a cowgirl working on a
ranch. That she had to leave her home to accomplish that
was odd given her father, King, was a cattle baron but he
was adamantly against his daughter's idea to work as a
cowgirl. Morie was raised to be a lady like her mother
Shelby who
artfully ran the household and was the love of her
husband's life. King was a formidable man and loving Shelby
had definitely brought out his caring side. Morie hoped one
day to have a marriage like theirs steeped in love,
friendship, and trust. But so far the men she met were more
enticed by her wealth and station than by Morie herself.
Going to work on Mallory Kirks ranch gave her the freedom
anonymity provides to be just another hired hand even if
just for a short while. She was impressed by how the Kirks
ranch was run, very environmentally conscience and at the
same time committed to following their family's time
honored more traditional methods. The strength and
closeness of family was very apparent. Kirk's and
Mallory's relationships with his hired hands reminded her of
Kings. Morie proved she wasn't afraid of hard work. And
where most found Mallory intimidating Morie was comfortable
in his company. Perhaps he reminded her of her father who
most people thought of as downright scary.
Mallory
immediately recognized the intelligence and humility in
Morie and admired her work ethic. But most of all, to his
dismay, he was beginning to see through her ragged looks to
the pretty, charming young lady who made him feel something
he hadn't in a long time; certainly not with Gelly who was
his latest companion, at least in his mind. Gelly had
other ideas, Mallory was hers, and she wasn't above using
any means to make sure her claim to this wealthy rancher
was secure. As Mallory's ardor for Morie grew he became
even more gruff and ornery just not willing to leave
himself vulnerable and was easily convinced to doubt her
integrity by the overzealous and possessive Gelly. As
events on the ranch got out of hand his distrust took on a
life of its own until Morie was forced to leave in
disgrace. They say the bigger they are the harder they fall
and that sums up Mallory's feelings for Morie. Morie also
struggled with her growing attraction to this big, gruff
man who at turns couldn't keep his hands and lips off her
and then treated her as if she was invisible. But fate was
to play a big part in their future and in the end the
strength of their love would decide the outcome.
I can't remember a time when I wasn't a Palmer fan. Diana
Palmer's characters jump right off the page and become
starkly real. Strong men get cut down to size by love and
find happiness. Palmer's characters have soul. It is more
important that her characters have beautiful souls than
faces, where their true strength lies.
A cowboy through and through, ranch owner Mallory Kirk knows
what it means to put in a full day's work. But does his new
cowgirl? He has his doubts that Morie Brannt will be able to
pull her own weight, even if the petite young woman does
seem to have a lot of spirit.
As they spar over events at the ranch and a past that
threatens their hopes for the future, sparks begin to fly,
and Mallory can't help but notice Morie in a new light. But
is this tough Wyoming man ready to love?
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