The Bride Wore Spurs. Janet Dean

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      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....

      “Are you having second thoughts about our marriage?”

      The eyes Hannah lifted to his might not look like those of an excited bride, but they were steely with determination. “Marriage is what I want. Are you changing your mind?”

      “No, ma’am.” Matt grinned. “I’m corralled and ready for branding. Thing is, which brand will I wear?”

      “The Lazy P, what else.”

      “And you’re just the woman to get the job done.”

      Hannah grinned back at him. “Never doubt that, cowboy.”

      Good to see her feisty side back. A man didn’t hanker to be led around by his nose, but if pretending Hannah was boss would put a smile on her face, that’s what he’d do.

      But he couldn’t 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 Janet’s 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 isn’t 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.

      The Bride Wore Spurs

      Janet Dean

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      My grace is sufficient for thee:

      for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

      —2 Corinthians 12:9

      To my friends and family who believed I’d 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

       Chapter Two

       Chapter Three

       Chapter Four

       Chapter Five

       Chapter Six

       Chapter Seven

       Chapter Eight

       Chapter Nine

       Chapter Ten

       Chapter Eleven

       Chapter Twelve

       Chapter Thirteen

       Chapter Fourteen

       Chapter Fifteen

       Chapter Sixteen

       Chapter Seventeen

       Chapter Eighteen

       Chapter Nineteen

       Chapter Twenty

       Chapter Twenty-One

       Chapter Twenty-Two

       Dear Reader

       Questions for Discussion

       Excerpt

      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 he’d 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, Matt’s 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, she’d give him that, but the only man she ached to see was Papa.

      “Welcome back,” he said. His Texas drawl was polite, yet the pucker between his brows was far from friendly.

      “Good to be back.” She scanned the crowd milling about the depot platform, retrieving baggage and greeting family. “Have you seen my father?”

      Matt plopped his hat in place, throwing his chocolate-brown eyes in shadow. “Martin asked me to pick you up.”

      Surely after being apart for a year, Papa wouldn’t miss meeting her train unless...

      Was something wrong? She swallowed against the sudden knot in her throat. “Why didn’t he come himself?”

      “Didn’t say. Better not keep him waiting.”

      Before she could question him