Which eccentric cowboy in Stockton County branded Evan Sting on Shotner Hill, murdering the young man? This is what private eye Joe Boxford asks himself when he's hired by Evan's father Benny to find the murderer. Joe needs some help, and enlists the services of Tal Linear, owner of The Linear Bar. But sparks begin to fly between the two. As romance heats up between them, they attempt to solve the branding crime. As the suspects start to pile up and weird relationships unfold in West Stockton, Joe and Tal begin to unravel a heinous crime. That is, until Tal vanishes and Joe thinks his sleuth buddy is going to be the killer's next victim. Does Joe have the skills needed to be a hero and save Tal from the killer's secret agenda and solve the crime? Or will Joe fall flat on his face and lose his reputation as a private investigator as well as his new lover, Tal Linear?

Stockton County Cowboys Book

Again, I wanted something strong to drink. When hadn’t I neededa drink to curb my addiction? I realized how challenged my mother was because of alcoholism. Whiskey and vodka had controlled her life. Gin was like a dessert to her. Beer was breakfast.


Coffee to me was weak and a waste, undesirable. Instead, club soda over ice and a splash of lime juice proved to tamp my desire for the time being. The concoction tasted very much like a cocktail, minus the alcohol, and pleased me, but not to the fullest. I fetched such a drink from the kitchen, became satisfied with my results, and found my way into the office on the first floor, beyond the dining room area, which was never used for entertaining guests or throwing parties.


Chapter 5