The Maverick and Miss Miller (Matchmaker Mischief)

Who ever heard of a mail-order husband?

Evie Miller certainly hadn't until Jake Hannigan showed up on her doorstep thanks to an advertisement her niece placed in papers all over the country, unbeknownst to her. Evie has absolutely no need for a husband. She has managed Montaña del Trueno, the Silva family ranch, and raised her late sister's children to full-grown and married. Now, she plans to spend her days enjoying the fruits of her labor. But the man did come a long way, so rather than send him home, she offers him a job. Though she has no use for a husband, she can always use another ranch hand.

Jake Hannigan, a former gambler, has no desire to marry either-not really-he's just looking for a place to hide until the gambling kingpin in San Francisco stops looking for him, and what better place to do it than this ranch in New Mexico? He's happy to accept the position as ranch hand even if he knows nothing about cowboying or how to ride a horse. He's a fast learner, though, and it could be entertaining to see who else answers the husband-wanted advertisement.

It doesn't take long for Jake to catch on, even discovering he has a special talent with horses. He's also quick to understand what a catch Evie Miller actually is. As their friendship blossoms, he finds himself dreading the next suitor to come to the ranch and the possibility Evie will accept an offer of marriage. How can he reveal his growing feelings to her when he came under false pretenses, especially now that word from San Francisco says the kingpin is close and his life is in danger? He has only one choice. To protect Evie and her family, he must leave and quite possibly break both their hearts.

Marie Patrick has always had a love affair with words and books but it wasn't until a trip to Arizona, where she now makes her home with her husband, that she became inspired to write about the sometimes desolate, yet beautiful west. Her inspiration doesn't just come from the Wild West though. It comes from history itself. She is fascinated with pirates and men in uniform and lawmen with shiny badges. When not writing or researching her favorite topics, she can usually be found curled up with a good book. Marie loves to hear from her readers. Drop her a note at Akamariep@aol.com or visit her website at www.mariepatrick.com.