(MSRP: 14.9900)
Paradise Brides Series
Caldwell Hackett knows everything about horseflesh and nothing about women, yet he's managed to snare beautiful Mattie Carter's heart. With their wedding coming up, he's nervous about his inexperience in the bridal bed, but his lovely fiancée manages to ease his worries in just the right way.
Mattie Carter is hopelessly in love with the handsome horse doctor and knows this marriage will be wonderful, unlike her first that was fraught with her wealthy husband's infidelity. Eager to begin her new life with Call, Mattie is heartbroken when her former husband halts their vows, claiming to the whole church she's still his wife.
Can Mattie regain Call's trust? Can Call, whose livelihood is threatened when an epidemic hits the horses in Paradise, figure out the truth with Mattie's help? Or will these star-crossed lovers be destined to live apart?
(Pages 334) Spicy
Print ISBN: 1-60154-807-9
Excerpt:
The church slowly emptied.
In the hullabaloo of titters, horrified murmurs, and sprouting gossip, Mattie tightened her fingers painfully around Call’s hand. “Caldwell, you must believe me. My divorce was final. It was legal.”
Call’s heart hammered as he peered at Woodrow with the corner of his eye. The man walked smooth, confident, and he nattered loudly to the departing guests as he ushered them out. “Could he be right? What if the decree wasn’t filed properly?”
“You doubt me?” Mattie’s entire body shook along with her voice. “You think I would agree to marry you if there was any doubt at all?”
“Of course not.” He could barely stop his own trembling tongue. “I’m sure you did everything you were assigned. None of this is laid at your feet. But what if… What if there was a legal mistake? That you couldn’t prevent. And why does he show up just now?” Call’s voice caught in the back of his throat. He said with a cough, “If he had doubts…surely he’s known about our marriage for months. The timing is too…vengeful.”
“Of course he’s known about the marriage. He and my sisters have mutual friends. If there was a problem, which I doubt, Libby and Debbie certainly would have told me. ” Shaking her head, Mattie moved to collapse in the front pew, face in her hands.
