In Eden Valley, Alberta, Canada, in July of 1882, Grace
Eileen Henderson finds herself in a situation that may end
up killing her and her little sister, Belle. Alone in the
world, they listen to Thornton Winch, a man who calls
himself a travelling preacher, when he promises them
protection and safety. Instead, he holds Belle hostage in
order to force Grace to his will. Grace, now called Red by
Thornton because of her fiery colored hair, must dance for
men, must let them touch her in order to keep her sister
safe. She endures the beatings, the humiliation, and the
degradation for Belle. She has lost her faith in God. She
has learned not to trust any man, especially a man who says
he wants to help her.
After spending the past few days on an errand for his boss,
all Ward Walker wants is a hot meal and to get back to the
ranch. Even the rowdiness of the saloon, and the shouting
of a man named Thornton to ante up for a look at "Red"
doesn't faze him until he realizes that Red is nothing more
than a shy yet defiant young woman doing her best to hold on
to a small scrap of dignity. But it's the welts and bruises
that bring him to action. He suffered that same abuse at
the hands of his stepfather. A fight ensues and he
"kidnaps" Red and takes her to the ranch. But Red won't
stay, can't stay—not without Belle. Ward and the others at
the ranch say they want to help her, but isn't that what
Thornton told her, too? Men are not to be trusted.
Especially a man who comforts her, calms her fears, and
makes her want to believe again.
A great character driven, western historical that will keep
you turning the pages. The hero and heroine share the stage
throughout the book with their need to outwit the evil that
shadows them. The plot has darker undertones as the subject
of abuse is dealt with but the author handles it well to
make a satisfying read. There are also book group
discussion questions at the end, a real bonus for book
groups who might choose THE COWBOY'S CONVENIENT. I
recommend this book.
She was a woman in need of protection. But trust is the one
thing feisty Grace "Red" Henderson is sure she'll never
give to any man again-not even the cowboy who rescued her.
Still, Ward Walker longs to protect the wary beauty and her
little sister-in all the ways he couldn't safeguard his own
family.
Red desperately wants to put her tarnished past behind her.
Little by little, Ward is persuading her to take a chance
on Eden Valley, and on him. Yet turning his practical
proposal into a real marriage means a leap of faith for
both...toward a future filled with the promise of love