"A romance full of steam and suspense"
Purgatory, Texas is the pit stop between Hell and Heaven
for one escaped convict. Wade Mason had been wrongly
accused of murdering Neville Young, the man who had stolen
the deed to his ranch. He was putting space between himself
and Huntsville Penitentiary, heading back to the first
place the law would think to look for him, to take back
what was his. His ranch could wait, but the three month old
son he'd never laid eyes on couldn't. Once he had the boy,
he would do everything it took to clear his name. The one
thing he hadn't figured on was having to match wits with a
stubborn little beauty by the name of Callie Quinn. His boy's mama had been a notorious prostitute by the name
Lily White. Callie and Lily had ridden into town on the
same coach, and they'd become particular friends in spite
of their different callings. Before she'd succumbed to
childbed fever, Lily had asked Callie to raise little
Matthew. Lily had also been the one witness that could have
proved that Wade was not guilty of the crime for which he'd
been sent to prison. She had seen Brady Young shoot his
own father in the back from Neville's bedroom window. She'd
once even visited Wade in prison offering to testify to his
innocence in exchange for a respectable future. That's when
little Matthew had been conceived. But Wade had turned her
proposition down for her own sake mostly. Without love, a
marriage between them would have only resulted in misery.
Now Lily was gone, and with her the easiest means of
proving his innocence. Lily hadn't been the only witness however. Wade would
somehow have to convince the town's crooked sheriff to come
forward with the truth. Of course that would require a
sizeable bribe, one that would beat anything that Brady
could possibly offer. He would have to leave the hows for
later, once he'd recovered his child. Callie had needed a good hot soak in the tub after spending
the day tending to the farm chores alone, and taking care
of little Matthews needs besides. What she didn't need was
a filthy
stranger in manacles gawking at her, and demanding her
child, while she was in such a vulnerable state. She
wasn't
about to turn Matthew over to anyone, and especially not
a man on the run. She would never allow Matthew to be
endangered. Somehow though, the man himself doesn't terrify
her as much as he should have. Callie recalls how shocked
her brother had been when Wade had been convicted, and that
he'd always believed in the man's innocence. Callie's
emotions are in turmoil as Wade relates his story to her.
She's as distraught as he is when she has to inform him
that his prospective witness is also dead. She's appalled
by his physical condition as well. It's a combination of
compassion and faith in his veracity that has her offering
her home as refuge until he can prove his innocence or has
to run once more. She needs time to come up with a plan to
keep Wade from taking her child with him when that time
comes. Cleaned up, he is more handsome than a man has a right to
be, and the air practically sizzles with their desire for
each other. Wade is not only wonderful with Matthew, but he
does all he can to help Callie in the house while she does
the outside chores. Callie affects Wade like no woman ever
has. Knowing that he's wanted either alive or dead, and
that the killer himself had put a price on his head, his
biggest concern is to ensure that Matthew and Callie will
be secure if worse comes to worst. It isn't long before
Callie is as possessive of Wade as she is of his son. She
won't even allow herself to think about him going back to
prison, and she'll do just about anything to prove his
innocence, even go head to head with a man greedy enough to
murder his own father. These are truly remarkable characters, steadfast,
determined, and willing to do whatever it takes to beat
seemingly insurmountable odds. You can't help but care what
happens to them. Lovers of the sensual will truly
appreciate their steamy encounters as well. Refer to the
book's cover if you don't believe me *g*. This sequel to
WALKER'S WIDOW is every bit as enjoyable Clay and Regan's
tale. By the way you'll be happy to know that the new
sheriff and his wife are doing just fine. December 2001
Copyright © 2001
Reviewed by Leslie Tramposch
Posted August 3, 2002
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