Bootheel Bachelor — Helen Gray

JASON STEVENS IS A BAD RISK FOR MARRIAGE. Fear of repeating his father's abusive behavior toward his mother has him convinced he will live his life as a bachelor. As a member of the newly formed Missouri Highway Patrol, he certainly doesn't need the complications of fiery Veda, the sister of the man his sister married, stirring up his emotions. All young widow Veda wants is to start over and run a business of her own, in a location distant from her family's illegal activities.