SOLVED. Historical romance set in American West; I think she is a widow with a small son, and the man is a scout or a ranger or something, and the bad guy tries to rape her. [s]

[Erika]

I read this in the late 1970s/early 1980s. Set in the old west, the cover has a defiant-looking redhead with lots of freckles standing next to a man in buckskins (I think). They are facing the reader, and seems like there's some Americana theme going on, like a big flag or something. I don't remember much of the plot, but I think she is a widow with a small son, and the man is a scout or a ranger or something, and the bad guy tries to rape her, and near the end the H is fighting with the villain and the villain makes some comment like can't wait to see that freckled ass again, and the H (who has actually seen it) says it ain't freckled, and kills the villain.

The woman's name may be Jesse

[Erika]

Maybe the heroine's name is Jesse?

[Erika]

Has anyone any ideas?

[Rosa]

Maybe Tennessee Smith?

[Rosa]

You can read it for free at archive.org.

[Erika]

I think that's it! When I googled it a different cover came up, and it looks like I remember. Thank you so much, it was driving me crazy.

[Rosa]

You're very welcome! Are you sure?

[Rosa]

Now that I've found the paperback cover, I can see what you meant about an Americana theme.