Fat Chance, Claude by Joan Lowery Nixon illustrated by Tracey Campbell Person

Shirley is not your typical mid-western lady.  She can take care of herself and has no desire of marrying.  To escape her parents' expectations, she travels west to Colorado to pan for gold.
Meanwhile, a young man named Claude leaves his home after his widow mother remarries (seven stepbrothers come with the marriage) to also pan for gold.
Shirley and Claude meet along the way.  Is romance possible?!
Four short chapters make this book a good choice for an older reader needing to build stamina. 
Reminds of a tall tale.
Strategy-check for understanding/monitor for meaning-two plots within one book to keep straight.
-Borrowed from the library.