Behind the Ranges 10: Commoner by Choice
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The heyday of gold discoveries is over in Idaho Territory¸ but there are still fortunes to be found. Eliza Jane Dollarhide believes that one is buried somewhere near a tiny mining camp deep in the wilderness. Her guide is Micah King¸ young¸ widowed¸ highly recommended--and Black. Never having known a person of color¸ Eliza is at first apprehensive¸ but soon learns that Micah is both a gentleman and a superbly competent guide. A good thing¸ too¸ for soon after they reach the isolated gold mining town of Yellowjacket¸ they realize they face deadly danger. Someone is after the papers Eliza came to retrieve¸ and will stop at nothing¸ not even wanton murder¸ to get them. Only one road leads out of Yellowjacket¸ so Micah guides Eliza along a dangerous trail through the wilderness¸ depending on dim memories of a long-ago journey through almost impenetrable mountains. As they travel¸ each learns to know the other¸ and soon love blooms between them. Impossible love¸ for Eliza is white. So even if they survive their ordeal--and escape whoever is trying to kill them--sooner or later they will have to part. Or will they? Surely there must be a way they can be together¸ be happy. This title is published by Uncial Press and distributed by Untreed Reads.