The Bride Wore Spurs
THE COWGIRL TAKES A HUSBAND!To keep the Texas ranch she loves, Hannah Parrish will wed a man she doesn’t. Cowpokes won’t take orders from a young, single female. But while her exasperating neighbor Matt Walker jokes about her being a mere debutante, Hannah is a rancher to the core. Just like Matt. “Will you marry me?” It’s a question widowed Matt never intended to ask again.Now spirited Hannah is asking him for a marriage of convenience! Yet whether she’s birthing a calf or caring for a young orphan, the tomboy next door is becoming the partner Matt always hoped for. Now he must convince her the greatest strength comes in trusting your heart to another—and your future to God….
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The Cowgirl Takes a Husband!
To keep the Texas ranch she loves, Hannah Parrish will wed a man she doesnât. Cowpokes wonât take orders from a young, single female. But while her exasperating neighbor Matt Walker jokes about her being a mere debutante, Hannah is a rancher to the core. Just like Matt.
âWill you marry me?â Itâs a question widowed Matt never intended to ask again. Now spirited Hannah is asking him for a marriage of convenience! Yet whether sheâs birthing a calf or caring for a young orphan, the tomboy next door is becoming the partner Matt always hoped for. Now he must convince her the greatest strength comes in trusting your heart to anotherâand your future to God....
âAre you having second thoughts about our marriage?â
The eyes Hannah lifted to his might not look like those of an excited bride, but they were steely with determination. âMarriage is what I want. Are you changing your mind?â
âNo, maâam.â Matt grinned. âIâm corralled and ready for branding. Thing is, which brand will I wear?â
âThe Lazy P, what else.â
âAnd youâre just the woman to get the job done.â
Hannah grinned back at him. âNever doubt that, cowboy.â
Good to see her feisty side back. A man didnât hanker to be led around by his nose, but if pretending Hannah was boss would put a smile on her face, thatâs what heâd do.
But he couldnât help wondering at what point a marriage based on pretense would blow up in his face?
JANET DEAN
grew up in a family that cherished the past and had a strong creative streak. Her father recounted wonderful stories, like his father before him. The tales they told instilled in Janet a love of history and the desire to write. She married her college sweetheart and taught first grade before leaving to rear two daughters. As her daughters grew, they watched Little House on the Prairie, reawakening Janetâs love of American history and the stories of strong men and women of faith who built this country. Janet eagerly turned to inspirational historical romance, and she loves spinning stories for Love Inspired Historical. When she isnât writing, Janet stamps greeting cards, plays golf and bridge, and is never without a book to read. The Deans love to travel and to spend time with family.
My grace is sufficient for thee:
for my strength is made perfect in weakness. â2 Corinthians 12:9
To my friends and family who believed Iâd achieve my dream. Your support means everything, then and now. Thank you.
Acknowledgments
A huge, heartfelt thank-you to Mary Connealy and Becke Turner for their invaluable help with researching this story. Their expertise enabled this greenhorn to ride into the Old West largely unscathed. Any errors are my own.
Contents
Chapter One
Bliss, Texas
Spring, 1888
The wrong man showed up to collect Hannah Parrish at the train station. And he was late.
Matt Walker.
Hannah bit back a groan. Of all the people in Bliss, why him? Matt never saw her as grown-up and capable. Instead he still treated her like a child, like the young girl heâd teased.
The man was too sure of himself. Tall, broad-shouldered, long legs encased in denim, his suntanned face hidden by the wide brim of a black Stetson, Mattâs every inch oozed cowboy. And every one of those inches oozed irksome.
He came to a halt in front of her, boots planted in a wide stance as if buffeted by the winds that blew across the open range. With a smile, Matt doffed his hat, the late afternoon sun gleaming in his dark wavy hair. The man was good-looking, sheâd give him that, but the only man she ached to see was Papa.
âWelcome back,â he said. His Texas drawl was polite, yet the pucker between his brows was far from friendly.
âGood to be back.â She scanned the crowd milling about the depot platform, retrieving baggage and greeting family. âHave you seen my father?â
Matt plopped his hat in place, throwing his chocolate-brown eyes in shadow. âMartin asked me to pick you up.â
Surely after being apart for a year, Papa wouldnât miss meeting her train unless...
Was something wrong? She swallowed against the sudden knot in her throat. âWhy didnât he come himself?â
âDidnât say. Better not keep him waiting.â
Before she could question him further, Matt took her by the elbow and guided her across the wooden platform, dodging two rambunctious youngsters running through the throng.
Was it only four years ago sheâd tagged after Zack, Mattâs youngest brother? At the time, Matt had been married to Amy, his high school sweetheart, and had reveled in teasing Hannah at every opportunity. That had been before Amyâs horse threw her and she died from a broken neck, when Mattâs laugh came easy.
