Can She Drive Away Not One, But Three Suitors?
Free-spirited photographer Regina Nash is ready to try. But unless she marries one of the gentlemen her grandfather has sent for her inspection, sheâll lose custody of her nephew. So she must persuade themâand Adam Barr, her grandfatherâs envoyâthat sheâd make a thoroughly unsuitable wife.
Adam isnât convinced. Regina might be unconventional, but she has wit, spirit and warmth. His job was to make sure Regina chose from the men he escorted to Texasânot to marryher himself! Can they overcome the secrets in her past, and the shadows in his, to find a perfect future together?
She looked so brittleâvulnerable almost. Adam felt an unwanted stirring of sympathy, but pushed it ruthlessly aside.
âThereâs no point fighting this,â he said, hoping Reggie would see reason. âThey are all good men, but different enough to give you a real choice. Iâm certain youâll decide which you find most compatible in that period of time.â
âAre you now?â The vulnerable air evaporated to be replaced by the scorching look and frigid tone sheâd brandished before.
So much for that stirring of sympathy. Obviously, Miss Nash could hold her own in any war of words.
âAs for this contractââ her chin titled up at a militant angle ââIâm sure Iâll need time to study it, perhaps have a lawyer look it over, before I sign it.â
Adam stiffened. He was a trained lawyer, which she knew quite well. And he was here to help her through this. âIâd be glad to explain anyââ
âIâd as soon ask the devil to explain a scripture.â
WINNIE GRIGGS
is a city girl born and raised in southeast Louisianaâs Cajun Country who grew up to marry a country boy from the hills of northwest Louisiana. Though her Prince Charming (who often wears the guise of a cattle rancher) is more comfortable riding a tractor than a white steed, the two of them have been living their own happily-ever-after for more than thirty years. During that time they raised four proud-to-call-them-mine children and a too-numerous-to-count assortment of dogs, cats, fish, hamsters, turtles and 4-H sheep.
Winnie has held a job at a utility company since she graduated from college. She saw her first novel hit bookstores in 2001. In addition to her day job and writing career, Winnie serves on committees within her church and on the executive boards and committees of several writing organizations, and she is active in local civic organizationsâshe truly believes the adage that you reap in proportion to what you sow.
In addition to writing and reading, Winnie enjoys spending time with her family, cooking and exploring flea markets. Readers can contact Winnie at P.O. Box 14, Plain Dealing, LA 71064, or email her at [email protected].
Handpicked Husband
Winnie Griggs
Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
âIsaiah 43:18â19
To my editor, Melissa Endlich,
whose faith in me and sincere efforts to help me make my writing the best that it can be has been a source of encouragement, inspiration and joy during the years we have worked together.
Chapter One
Northeast Texas, 1894
An ear-splitting shriek ricocheted through the forest, startling a raucous cloud of blackbirds from the roadside trees.
âEasy, Trib.â Adam Barr patted the horseâs neck as the animal shied. What now?
The buggy behind him slowed to a stop, but Adam ignored it, along with the uneasy questions from the three men seated inside. Heâd promised to escort the men from Philadelphia to Texas, not be their nursemaid.
The wailing continued and Adam fought the urge to tilt back his head and answer with a wild, full-throated howl. Heâd gritted his teeth so often these past few days the muscles in his jaw hurt. Taking on this job when more important business waited for him in Philadelphia had him in a foul mood, as his companions could no doubt attest.
After six years of biding his timeâsix years, two months and thirteen days to be exactâheâd thought he could finally pursue his goal without distraction.
If this assignment had come from anyone but Judge Madison...
Adam scanned the brush-skirted hardwoods lining the trail. Whatever the source of that eerie sound, it was headed their way.
He eased his rifle from the scabbard. Anticipation stirred his blood. He might have to employ his âcompany mannersâ with his three charges, but this bellowing beast was another matter.
No telling what manner of creature roamed this forsaken backwoods. The wail was too high-pitched to belong to a bear. A large cat maybe?