Stories of bandits, outlaws, romance, and adventure by the seven-time Spur Award winner—"one of America's premier Western writers" ( The Dallas Morning News). From a rodeo clown who seeks redemption to an outlaw who comes to the aid of ranchers with no other recourse to justice, these superb short stories, filled with marvelous characters, showcase the strength and power of the Western spirit. Powerful women feature as importantly as the menfolk here, including a cattle buyer's daughter who can hold her own with any man on the trail, a renowned lady outlaw who rules her gang with her gun, and a judge's daughter determined to end local mob rule as "the day of the gun is almost over." Imbued with an adventurous spirit, Hard Ride is filled with many heartfelt glimpses into the authentic experience of the American West. These stories encompass an enormous array of scenes from the early days of the Wild West into the twentieth century. Readers of all ages can enjoy these tales, each one filled with a passion for life that's as vast as the Texas prairie. "A genuine craftsman with an ear for dialogue and, more importantly, an understanding of the human heart." — Booklist