Laurel (Seven Brides)

Rating:
Summary: Better and Better
Review: Fourth in the Seven Brides series.

Hen Randoph, now on his own, is hired as sheriff of Sycamore Flat because of his reputation as a gun fighter. Everyone thinks he is a remorseless killer. Although most of his brother's pain revolves around the cruelty of their father, Hen is haunted by the fact that his mother didn't care enough about her sons to live for them after their father left. At fourteen Hen and twin Monty were left to defend their ranch and protect younger brothers Tyler and Zac.

When Hen finds rustlers about to hang his twin, he has to chose between losing his brother and losing his innocence forever. He sees himself as a protector not a killer but does what he has to defend his own and later the town. Yet each time he is forced to kill he feels a little piece of his soul slipping away. That compounded with the fact that the woman he loves, Laurel, can't love a gunfighter and doesn't want her son to be like him. Hen is inexperienced with women and only knows that something about this woman touches something he thought buried forever. Time and time again Hen takes the high road and finally convinces Laurel that the man inside is good and worthy of her love. When the Laurel's inlaws, the Blackthorns come to town for a showdown over the custody of her son Adam, Hen must defend the town. One by one word reaches his six brothers and they converge on the town to lend a hand. When Hen tries to do the right thing an accident occurs which causes an innocent bystander to be critically wounded. Guilt plagues Hen and he can only find comfort in Laurels arms. Only Laurel has the key to open his heart and shows him to be worthy of not just her love but the love of his family. With the help of his brother's the showdown is averted and Hen is free to go back to the peace of ranch life with his ready made family.