Sam Roswell has moved to Prescott and is a deputy for the Yavapai County Sheriffs Department. He’s making a new start for himself. He finds himself lonely and would really like to make a new friend. He misses the connection that he had with his wife, especially the evening companionship. Even though she was a good woman something was amiss and a now a year later they are divorced.Montgomery Clarke is a true cowboy and justice for him is the cowboy way. He’s done some traveling and worked some ranches. After four years he’s settled in Skull Valley and is a part-time ranch hand for the Barbee Ranch. He has a small place but that doesn’t mean this is where he’ll stay forever. He likes working on the ranch, he doesn’t have a social life and doesn’t care, and he’s very much a loner. He was once married to AnnaLee, but he couldn’t give her what she deserved, but he still considers her his best friend.While at the Dog Bowl Diner having dinner alone, Sam looks around and has thoughts of having a new friend. His thoughts are interrupted when he finds himself in the midst of a robbery. Sam has to make a judgement call, when one of the robbers hold a teenage boy at gun point. Sam always had a rule for himself when he’s not on duty, he doesn’t carry his gun. He’s not even in uniform, all he has is his badge. One of the robbers want’s to take the money and leave but the other only sees “cop”. Before Sam can even make a move a shot rings out and the robber is down. All Sam sees is the tall stranger with a gun in his hand. In all the commotion the other robber get’s away. The stranger Montgomery Clarke just saved Sam’s life.Two weeks go by and Sam sees Montgomery at the Bird Cage Saloon drinking alone. He thought about Montgomery every day since the robbery. He even got Montgomery’s information after he disappeared without a goodbye. They start to talk about the incident that took place at the diner, right up until the saloon closing. Sam thanks Montgomery for saving his life and watches as Montgomery walks away.A week later Sam makes his way to Skull Valley to seek out Montgomery. He want’s Montgomery’s help to find the other robber. But more than that he want’s a friendship with Montgomery. Before Sam leaves, Montgomery invites him to the Barbee Ranch. There’s a connection that they make as they start to open up and share their personal lives. No matter the trouble and danger they’re in, their friendship grows.Sam offers a companionship that Montgomery really needs. With his needs, the rustic cowboy has fears, of what others think, judgement from others and Sam leaving him. Then Montgomery decides to cut ties with Sam. Is it all too late or can they salvage a friendship and something more?This is my third time reading “Lone Star on a Cowboy Heart. I first read it in 2016, and it was and still is one of my favorite stories worth reading over again. At the time this was originally written it was considered by some, not be romantic, because it was without physical sex between two men. My thought is that many didn’t understand the meaning of asexual. Now that this story has been revised, I think both stories are romantic in their own way.Marie S. Crosswell is amazing at expressing what is important to Sam and Montgomery and what they both need for their special relationship. The author brought out the worry and sadness in Montgomery as he struggles to express his fears and what he truly needs. The fear of being alone and never finding someone to understand him is heartbreaking. He want’s to share of Sam’s life and never be judged by society for what they have. As for the crime aspect of the story, I thought it wasn’t needed at one time. Now that I’ve read the story again, it is important to the story as it shows Montgomery as Sam’s life saver.There’s a few other characters that make this story interesting: Chief Jethro Beauty, of the Yavapai tribe and Tribal Police Force, whose always willing to give Sam advice. Lauren Baker, Sam’s friend. Shannon who’s helped by Montgomery.I highly recommend “Lone Star on a Cowboy Heart” by Marie S. Crosswell. Sam Roswell and Montgomery Clarke are two unforgettable and emotionally powerful characters.
