To Gather the Wind (Wayward Wind Series/Bodie Thoene, Bk 2)

This adventurous novel of danger and romance takes readers out to the old West with heart-stopping action and colorful characters. 

Tall, lanky Jack Ryland is riding the Wells Fargo stage through California gold country when the stage is robbed by highwaymen. But he ruefully discovers that he's not much of a hero - though he'd give almost anything to impress lovely fellow passenger, Eliza Richardson.

Fresh from the East, this twenty-six year old greenhorn suddenly finds himself in the middle of a manhunt and a murder investigation. The search for clues takes Jack into the untamed country around Coloma, birthplace of the California Gold Rush. There he encounters bears and wild horses - and outlaws and misfits of all kinds. From getting hit on the head to being shot at, Jack finds his new job at Wells Fargo investigative agent is much more than he bargained for.  Can he ever hope to win the heart of such a strong-minded and confident woman?