Wolf...
Wolf and Mary. Unlikely pairing. Renegade man who is despised by his small community of less than 200 due to a past criminal conviction that was overturned when he was found innocent. However, determined that STILL he is wayward (due to his status as part Indian) the townsfolk believe him guilty of SOMETHING and give him wide berth and are openly hostile to him. Enter a school teacher that may be considered a dowdy reflection of schoolmarms of past eras - typically prim and less than attractive perhaps (although she is not). Chance meeting of the two while she tries to bring his son (Joe of Mackenzies Mission) back into the folds of education. Wolf saves her on a cold wintery day when her car stalls. She convinces him and Joe that education is important and sets about trying to wrest a letter of recommendation for admission to the Air Force Academy for Joe. While in the throws of doing such the town becomes embroilled in crime that is again attributed to Wolf although he can account for his whereabouts. The hostility grows with meek appearing Mary asserting her strong personality and opinions, trying to bring about the town to change public opinion. Opinion never changes until a final crime brings all to a head and the true criminal is known and Wolf must protect the woman sacred to himself. A final act of mercy never shown to him, Wolf takes the high road. This is a single read and the first in the Mackenzie series. You will want to read them all!
