Lone Calder Star

Lone Calder Star by Janet Dailey. paperback edition. ISBN: 9780758213006.

For more than one hundred years, the Cee Bar Ranch on the northern plains of Texas has been run by the Calder family. They might live in Montana, but their hearts are never far from the blue skies and hard-working hands at home in the Lone Star state. But now, theres trouble at the Cee Bar. The ranch has been all but abandoned, the horses left to starve, the ranch hands run out of town. Someone is determined to undermine the Calders Texas outfit, and its time a Calder stepped in to investigate. Quint Echohawk is a lawman, not a rancher. But hes a Calder, and if someone is messing with the Cee Bar, its his business. From the moment Quints boots touch Texas dirt, its clear to him that everyone in town is running scared from Max Rutledge, the ruthless owner of a competing ranch who would do anything to get his hands on the Cee Bar. Posing as a cowboy looking for work, Quint is repeatedly warned to steer clear of the Calder-held ranch. His every move is monitored by the locals and reported to Rutledge and his son, Boone. The only friends Quint has are "Empty" Garner and his daughter, Dallas. In Empty, Quint finds a steadfast ally; in Dallas, Quint finds something more - the promise of a future. As the warnings escalate to threats and threats give way to terrifying danger, Quint is in for the fight of his life. In a town where no one can be trusted and betrayal is around every corner, where every unlocked door, thrown punch, or suspicious fire is just a hint of deadlier things to come, the Calders will be tested as never before. And this time, it could cost them more than their land...it could cost them everything.