Book excerpt: After being left behind there by his mother, ten-year-old Randy Davis now lives at the ranch where his dad, Jake, works as a ranch hand. Fitting in and winning the love of his father, a rough and stern man, is turning out to be a struggle. Ranch life is very different from his former life in Crane, Texas. Each day brings new challenges and trials. For example, Smitty, the alcoholic fence rider of the ranch, attacks Juanita, the ranch cook, but is caught by Randy, causing more strife at the ranch. Hank, the ranch foreman, finds a rescue horse and a puppy for Randy at the sale auction in San Angelo. Meanwhile, the capture of a wild rodeo bull while Hank and Marty are away at the auction tries Jake's skills and patience and almost takes his life as he struggles to bring him in. While Randy learns quickly what it means to be a cowboy, he and his dad discover a mutual respect and love for each other through the trials and hardships of ranch life.