Marin Thomas Homeward Bound

Homeward Bound

Marin Thomas

Harlequin American, Aug 2005, $4.99, 249 pp.

ISBN: 0373750838

After spending much of the last seven years in College Station, Heather Henderson returns to her hometown of Nowhere, Texas to allegedly bury her father, who died when he fell asleep in bed with a lit cigarette. However, Heather knows she is not coming home to honor her abusive dad who never cared one iota for her; she is returning to confront her knight in shining armor Royce McKinnon, who as an older teen took care of her after her mother fled from her father. She plans to demand he explain why he rejected her three years ago.

Royce cares for others, which is why the rancher became mayor. He still sees Heather as a rebellious adolescent needing food, water, and at times shelter and protection. She wants him to see her as a nurturing capable grown-up willing to care for him while he minds others for Heather knows that her adulation of her hero has turned into adult love, which she believes deep inside his heart her stubborn champion reciprocates.

The latest "Homeward Bound contemporary romance is a fine tale starring a rigid soul who feels a need to be responsible for everyone in his sphere of influence and the woman who matches him in degrees of obstinacy who demands that she be responsible for him at times. Readers will believe this couple belongs together, but wonder if Heather is still hero worshipping and also ponder why Royce rejects what is obvious. Although Royce can become irritating with his Bushian principle of my way or the highway, fans will welcome this refreshing small town Texas tale.

Harriet Klausner