Forget Me Not

Havng lost the wealth and station she enjoyed in New York City in 1874, Josephine Whittaker heads west, driven by hope and the fictitious allure of dime novels. But she's soon stranded in Sienna, Wyo., a town far less colorful than its name. Penniless, she conceals her inexperience and convinces rancher J.D. McCall to hire her as a temporary ranch cook. Introspective narrative sets a slow pace until Josephine is assigned chuck-wagon duty on a cattle drive. Fortunately, she finds recipes and much-needed gumption to prove herself. Since the setup doesn't provide heavy romantic conflict, J.D.'s father, cantankerous Boots McCall, spices up the tone in a well-crafted subplot--a running feud between father and son. This is a cheery story after Crossings, one endowed with Holm's fine sense of atmosphere, and an enjoyable heroine who changes and grows from spunky, spoiled socialite to an independent woman. (May)