C. K. Crigger Knihy

Shay Billings was pleasantly surprised at discovering a new bridge over the river, as it cut several miles from his trip into town. After being ambushed and left for dead, he has even more cause to be grateful when the bridge-builder saves his life. Shay's savior turns out to be a mysterious young woman with extraordinary skills. More importantly, she's a strong ally when he and a few other men are forced to defend themselves and their ranches against a power-hungry rich man. Marvin Hammel seems determined to own everything in their small valley, his intention to gobble up not only their homes and their livelihoods, but the water that flows through the land.

Shay Billings and January Schutt have been married four months when he's summoned by the local bank president to a meeting. With the final payment due on his land, Shay rides to town for the meeting, then is murdered on the way home . . .

It's hard to deny friends asking for help -- even when it means stepping headlong into danger. As a sort of left-over deputy from a previous adventure, January Billings is compelled to answer the call when a valuable gun is stolen from the local mercantile, and the storekeeper viciously assaulted. The town marshal is out of action and the sheriff is an ineffectual fool. What else can she do but step up?