aspen mclea

This is a lesbian, western novel. It is set in the Roundup area of central Montana in the early 2000s on the Delorian family ranch. Cassandra (Sand), and her mother, Mary, operate the ranch alone, as Mary divorced Sands father ten years before for infidelity. Sand clashes with Cord McReynold, a neighbors son, in a bar. Infuriated he lures her into an isolated area and threatens to rape her. With the help of her dog, Dopey, and a fencing tool to his crotch she escapes him. After losing a lawsuit against her, he plagues her with various sabotages on the ranch through several months. Two wealthy Massachusetts women move to the area and through Sands helping them, they become friends. Their love deepens Sands yearning for a partner of her own. The two women try to match-make, inviting friends from Boston at Thanksgiving. A long-distance relationship with Heather seems out of the question to Sand, though she is enchanted with her. A temporary under-sheriff and Sand are attracted to each other but both women are too set in their careers to work things out. Sand and Heather correspond and phone through winter and spring, but the barrier of 2400 miles between them is daunting. Concerns over money, security, and the small towns gossips make a relationship seem impossible.