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The Rancher's Heart (Five Star Expressions)

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Bridget O'Toole lovingly writes the birth of her son Mick in her husband's family Bible. Months earlier her husband left her to go to work and never returned. Bridget doesn't give up hope of his return and painstaking takes care of her son and vows to keep her husband's memory alive for their son. Fire breaks out in her tiny home and Bridget, the baby, and the family Bible barely escape with their lives.

Twelve years later, Bridget has done all she can do to keep her son alive and she is slowly dying. Knowing that her son has to grow and be healthy, Bridget feeds Mick their food while she slowly wastes away. It is during this time that Mick becomes involved with a group of cattle rustlers and is caught by James Ryan, an immigrant rancher.

James Ryan has no moral choice other than to help Mick O'Toole. Reminding himself that others helped him in his time of need, James sets out to get Mick to trust him. James plan works and Mick comes clean about his sick mother and pleads with James to help her. He agrees and they take a wagon to pick up Mick's mother. James is appalled by the condition of the beautiful woman lying in his arms during the ride back to his ranch and decides then and there that she will not die. James tenderly urges Bridget to eat and take things slowly in order to regain her strength. He doesn't count on her strength, her fortitude, and her absolute loveliness that he finds himself dreaming about. After finding Bridget up once more and cooking, James finally gives in and allows her to help him around the house as a cook and general housekeeper. Plus, James decides if she is happy then she will want to stay with him; which is a good thing because James doesn't think that he can ever let her go.

Bridget O'Toole prays and thanks the powers that be that James Ryan helped her that day weeks ago. She finds herself thinking of James and comes to the conclusion that her husband must be dead since she has heard nothing from him for over twelve years. When they can stand not touching each other any longer, Bridget and James gently spend a wonderful, loving night together. Bridget is torn the next morning, however, because although she no longer loves her husband, she is still legally married. What Bridget doesn't know is that James has his own secrets in his heart and is afraid to come clean. It takes a horrible situation to make James face his demons and be truthful with the woman he has come to love. He can only hope that Bridget will wait for him.

THE RANCHER'S HEART by C.H. Admirand is a sweeping saga of two people in love coming face to face with their pasts while wanting to be with each other in the present. Due to circumstances regarding her supposedly dead husband, Bridget is unable to commit to James. It takes a lot of soul searching and thinking for Bridget to finally take a chance on James and their love and I could finally breathe a sigh of relief that she came to her senses. As for James? He fit my idea of a western hero to a tee. Quiet, honest, and extremely handsome, at times I wanted to be Bridget!

THE RANCHER'S HEART was poignant and often times I found myself so immersed in the story that I couldn't put it down. Well written and just plain delightful, I find myself wanting to go back and read C.H. Admirand's book, THE MARSHAL'S DESTINY to once again experience the writing of this author. THE RANCHER'S HEART has definitely found its way to my keeper shelf.