Cheyenne'S Lady (Bachelors Of Shotgun Ridge)

Rating:
Summary: Winner of the WordWeaving Award for Excellence
Review: Shotgun Ridge's matchmakers strike in Mindy Neff's CHEYENNE'S LADY. The four geezers meddle and interfere in the love lives the town bachelors in an effort to prevent the small town from dying out. Llyod, Henry, Vern and Ozzie might be unlike matchmakers, but they are successful. Their latest attempt to bring Sheriff Cheyenne Bodine and surrogate mother-to-be Emily is very promising.

Ozzie switches addresses, resulting in Emily sleeping in Cheyenne's bed when he arrives home. He remembers her reputation for trouble before her family moved away her senior year. He'd always been drawn to her spirit, not to mention her perchance for creating scandal. Now a very pregnant Emily lies in his bed, and his fantasies are slipping into overdrive. He's stunned to learn that Emily carries his brother's children. For the sake of the twins, he insists that Emily marry him. They are already bound by their love for the children, but events may conspire to make their binding even deeper.

When Emily agreed to be the surrogate mother for her sister's babies, her life changed profoundly. In the beginning the pregnancy was wonderful as she shared each step with Debbie and Jimmy. But a fateful car accident has deprived the twins of their rightful parents, and Emily faces parenthood alone. Since Jimmy was Cheyenne's brother, she came to him hoping for help in the weeks ahead. As huge and uncomfortable as she is, he still makes her feel desirable. While she didn't expect marriage, she agrees. She recognizes an intangible connection that binds them as soul mates.

The geezers' efforts at matchmaking and baby holding can't help but charm readers in CHEYENNE'S LADY. Indeed, Neff creates a convincing blend of romance, pregnancy and newborns, without glossing the inconvenience of wet shirts when milk leaks, late night feeds and exhaustion. While Emily denies sainthood and freely admits her fears and insecurities, Cheyenne is humbled by the sacrifices Emily makes with this pregnancy. His own honor and integrity, not to mention natural ability with children, sparkle as well. These are imperfect and loving characterizations that remain with readers long after the last page is turned. Indeed, a character driven romance that explores the joy and pain of birth and death, CHEYENNE'S LADY belongs on the keeper shelf. Very highly recommended.