Series: Oak Grove (Book 3)
He will protect her
But can the sheriff resist his forbidden desire?
Oak Grove sheriff Tom Baniff might be hunting Clara Wilson’s criminal husband, but that doesn’t mean he won’t help protect Clara and her young son from the outlaw’s deadly threats. When he invites Clara to his hometown, Tom is determined to keep her safe. But with her so close, can he resist the allure of the only woman he’s ever wanted?
Good book. Clara and her son Billy lived on an isolated ranch in Wyoming, with their nearest neighbors ten miles away. Her husband was always gone, coming home only a few times a year. She was pretty sure that Hugh is an outlaw but purposely refrains from asking any questions of him, preferring not to have confirmation of her suspicions. Life was easier when he was gone, as his presence always brought stress and threats.
Sheriff Tom Braniff was hunting the outlaw, Hugh Wilson because the man robbed a train and shot a woman from Tom's town of Oak Grove. His search brought him to Hugh's ranch, where he arrived just in time to save Clara from a badly infected leg. He did not tell her who he was or why he was there, not knowing if she was a willing accomplice to Hugh's activities.
I loved Tom's protectiveness. From the moment he met Clara, Tom was compelled to help her. I loved how kind and gentle he was with her, and the respect with which he treated her. Tom was fighting a battle with himself over his need to find Hugh and his desire to stay and care for Clara and Billy. He's been a dedicated lawman for years and believed that a family is something he can't have because of it. But Clara and Billy tempted him to reconsider his position.
I loved Clara's strength of will. Though she believed that she was weak for not standing up to Hugh, she did what she had to do to ensure the survival of herself and her son. I liked the relationship she had with Billy. The love between them was clear. They took care of each other.
I liked the development of the relationship between Tom and Clara. Tom's kindness and respect was something that Clara had never experienced before, and while it made her feel good, it also added to the guilt she felt about Hugh's activities. What really spoke to her heart was the way that Tom treated Billy. He was the kind of man her son could look up to and watching them together made her realize how much was wrong with her life. Her feelings for Tom grew, but she knew there was no place for her in his life. She also feared what would happen if Hugh came home while Tom was still there. I loved seeing Tom with both Clara and Billy. The distance he normally kept between himself and others disappeared when he was with them. He realized that just being a lawman was no longer enough, but that what he does prevents him from having more. I ached for him and the way that he fought against his feelings for her. Both Tom and Clara craved the feeling of rightness they felt when they were together, but circumstances made it impossible.
The intensity increased when Hugh did indeed come home. Hugh was immediately confrontational, doing his best to draw Tom into a gun battle. I was amazed at how well Tom retained control over his temper, in spite of the things he saw. What happened next concluded with a twist I didn't expect and sent Tom back to Oak Grove hauling in Hugh to stand trial. Clara and Billy remained in Wyoming to pick up the pieces of their lives.
But Clara was left with a lot to think about, and a surprise discovery provided the incentive to take an unexpected step. Clara's courage was incredible as she faced her fears and did what she thought was right. I loved her arrival in Oak Grove and the reason for it. The magic of Oak Grove was out in full force. I loved Angus O'Leary's part in helping Clara do what needed to be done without compromising the end result. I ached for Clara's fears over how her presence would be received and loved how the people of Oak Grove embraced her. There were still some obstacles looming between Tom and Clara, some of which they created themselves. A crisis with Billy brought fears to the surface, and things were said that caused great hurt for both Tom and Clara. The ending was great as both got some help seeing the truth and vanquishing their fears.
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