July 31, 2000
Buffalo Valley's depressed economy has taken a turn toward recovery in this second installment in Macomber's trilogy set in contemporary North Dakota. Buffalo Bob's bar is flourishing, Rachel's weekend pizza delivery has become a full-fledged restaurant and Sarah has a waiting list for her quilting classes. But the main attraction this time is Maddy Washburn, who bought the failing grocery store and, through clever marketing, has revived the town's interest in shopping locally. One of Maddy's new customers is Jeb McKenna, a farmer who lost his leg from a tractor accident four years before and now prefers a reclusive existence on his ranch to socializing in town. A blizzard sends Maddy into Jeb's arms long enough for the pair to fall in love (thus importing another romance from Dakota Born), but Jeb still considers himself a cripple and refuses to allow Maddy a permanent place in his life. Macomber closes book two with a cliffhanger, leaving readers anxiously awaiting the final installment to this first-rate series.