Always Dakota

A multifaceted tale of romance and deceit, the final installment of Macomber's Dakota trilogy (Dakota Born, Dakota Home) oozes with country charm and a strong sense of community spirit. Thanks to the arrival of enterprising newcomers, the once struggling farming town of Buffalo Valley, N.Dak., is now enjoying a revival. The marriage between Margaret Clemens, the only daughter of a longtime rancher, and outsider Matt Eilers symbolizes the town's metamorphosis. For any cowboy, Margaret would appear to be the catch of the town with her forthright demeanor and her recent inheritance of her father's prosperous ranch. What Matt has to offer besides his good looks is harder to discern, however. Smothering the weak flame of Matt and Margaret's attraction, Matt's scheming ex-girlfriend, Sheryl, announces that she is pregnant with his child. As Margaret and Matt grapple with issues of trust, other members of the community (familiar to those who have read the trilogy's earlier volumes) attempt to cope with a rebellious teenager, a fragile pregnancy and a kidnapping. Although Macomber excels at depicting believable characters, the romantic tension between Margaret and Matt is less than compelling. The real virtue of this narrative lies in Macomber's earnest portrayal of the people who inhabit this delightful town. (May)