Castle Rock, Colorado 1882

Beau Morgan is a bounty hunter; once he was a lawman, but that changed when his wife, Lucy, was gunned down by Clay Johnson. Beau has become obsessed with finding him. Everything in Beau’s life has been pushed away, seldom even spending time with his widowed brother, Patrick, at his dairy farm. Because Beau is traveling close to Castle Rock, he finally makes the time to stop by to see his brother. Except Patrick is not there is greet him. He is overwhelmed when he looks around and sees a new grave, and then an old neighbor, who is taking care of the cows, gives him the news. Beau discovers to his dismay that he is the legal guardian of his brother’s three children. Once, long ago, this would have been a blessing, but, that was then. Has Beau passed the line between, justice and vengeance? To make matters worse, Beau knows he can’t leave his three nieces, and now the girls are talking about their father’s fiancée and how she will arrive at any time. Patrick was going to re-marry? Who is this mail-order, gold digger?

Dani Baxter arrives in Castle Rock, Colorado tired and dusty from the long train ride. She is excited because her fiancé is to meet her at the train station. But when Patrick is not there, Dani rents a buggy, gets directions, and drives to his farm. Her question is answered when she arrives at the farm and meets Beau, who bluntly informs her that Patrick was struck by lighting and died. At that moment, Emma, the oldest of Patrick’s three daughters, runs out to meet and hug her, and Dani knows God had a purpose to bring her here.

Beau makes it very clear Dani is not welcome, and as the executor of the will, Beau has contacted an old aunt, Harriet Lange, who lives back east, to take the children. He plans to sell the farm and put the money in a savings account for the girls. There is no need for Dani. Even though Dani is a mail-order bride, she is not a fool; having lived and worked on her family’s dairy farm, she is not one to shirk her duty. She refuses to be intimidated by Beau. But why is he so is angry? Of course, Dani can’t help but notice that he is extremely handsome, if only he would smile. Sometimes, when she looks at Beau, she sees such sadness; can Dani break through Beau’s icy demeanor?

Beau discovers that Dani is not at all what he expected. Somehow her strength, kindness and faith, begin to wear away at Beau’s hostility and anger. When Dani discovers why Beau is so bitter, she turns to her faith for strength. But, before any real decisions can be made, they face Aunt Harriet, who wants to take the children away from Castle Rock. Can a marriage of convenience between Dani and Beau work? Can Beau learn the difficult lesson to put the past to rest and embrace what life holds for him? Or is this a ploy for Dani to get Beau to stay on the farm? Will Dani’s actions cross the line in fear, or in faith? Or will she become THE BOUNTY HUNTER’S BRIDE.

Victoria Bylin has written a delightful and heart warming story. She has put an intriguing spin to the Old West. Her characters are bold and colorful. Dani’s courage to face an uncertain future with nothing but faith is what made the Old West so splendid. THE BOUNTY HUNTER’S BRIDE will intrigue the reader; it did me.

Deborah C. Jackson