Ryan Molloy's boss Caleb Cantrell is sending him to work at the ranch in New Mexico in hopes it will help him live again. Ryan's wife and 4 year old son were recently killed in an auto accident and he needs to pull himself together again and get a lease on life. Flagman's Folly could be that change of scenery for that change in attitude. Leaving Montana meant walking away from his connection to Jan and Billy. This is his chance to undo the damage he'd done to his credibility with his boss after losing his cool with a drunken cowboy.

Nearly hitting a young girl chasing after her puppy with his vehicle, Ryan was devastated to know he has yelled at a small child who was totally deaf. Blaming the pretty blond woman with the child, he has already started off on the wrong foot in the town he is going to be staying in. Arriving at the ranch only to find he would be working with Lianne Ward, and that the child was her niece, Becky, only makes things more complicated. Lianne is at the ranch to assist in providing a home for troubled boys as a residential school with group therapy sessions. As Ryan begins to recognize his real interest in the beautiful woman, his new knowledge that she is also deaf complicates his desire to protect her. Being the very independent person she is, Lianne takes offense at being viewed as less than competent because of her deafness and the relationship falters. Lianne also recognizes her attraction to Ryan but remembers that she recently left her boyfriend because of his inability to recognize her capability.

This author has done an exceptional job of portraying the obstacles that must be overcome by a person with deafness. This will truly open up your views on someone with a disability, as they are certainly in no way less responsible or capable than those without. The story is magical in the sense that no matter what your problem, it can all be overcome with effort and determination. The tale is beautiful, heartwarming and guaranteed to stay with you for a long time. RANCHER AT RISK is the first I have read by Barbara White Daille but, after this read, definitely not the last! I truly enjoyed this read and wish it had gone on a little longer!