Madeline Baker, Under Apache Skies

Under Apache Skies

Madeline Baker

Signet, Sep 2004, $6.99

ISBN: 0451212827

Ridge Longtree is a highly regarded gunfighter, but is weary with no place to call home. Marty Flynn allows him to spend the night in the bunkhouse while she and her sister Dani worry that their father has not come home. When they find blood on her dad's horse, Marty hires Ridge because she believes their neighbor Victor Claunch bushwhacked her father. Ridge finds her dead dad.

Victor tells Ridge he will be unemployed once he marries Marty, who writes a letter to her estranged mother that her husband is dead and Dani needs her. Victor informs Marty she will marry him, but she avoids the topic by saying that her dad just died. That night Dani meets her beau Cory. Nettie arrives, but Marty fails to welcome her. They realize Dani is not home. Ridge figures out that Apaches have taken Dani and Cory.

Apache Sanza speaks English with Dani who he decides he will make her his wife. Ridge and Marty follow. The Indians recognize Ridge from when he lived with them. He and Marty go to the Apache camp. Ridge tells Marty that Cory is dead. Sanza proposes marriage and Dani accepts. Ridge proposes to Marty who accepts, but first they must prove Victor killed her father and their mother feels she can.

The lead couple is a fine pairing that readers will enjoy because their growing love provides different types of redemption for them. The insight into the Apache relationship between in-laws is quite interesting. The villain is obviously sneaky which leads to readers wondering why townsfolk think highly of him. Though the estranged mother seems too innocent while the deceased father too guilty, fans will enjoy this exciting western romance.

Harriet Klausner