INDIAN TERRITORY 1882. . . .

She made a deathbed promise.  Matilda Townsend believed her father's passing would finally free her from trying - and failing - to please him.  Raised more as a ranch hand than a woman, she's shocked when her dying father asks her for one final promise: to marry the ranch foreman.

He gained an unwilling wife.  Logan Cartwright has long admired the beauty Matilda hides beneath her dusty cowboy clothes.  But when she bargains to leave him sole owner of the ranch if he'll grant her freedom to leave Indian Territory, Logan must admit he's more interested in keeping his wife than his property.

A contest of wills sparks passion.  While Matilda clings to her refusal to share her husband's bed, Logan coaxes her into exploring the other many and varied ways a man and wife can please each other.  Even as their passion blazes hotter than a prairie fire, they must confront a danger that threatens to destory the ranch and divide them forever. 

WILD FLOWER is a 2010 Golden Heart ® Finalist.

Excerpt from WILD FLOWER

Logan’s mouth twisted in a cynical grin.  “You’re asking me to marry her.”

“True.  If I wasn’t dying, you’d have time to spark her proper.  Knowing you the way I do, figured you were waiting ‘till she grew up a bit more before courtin’ her.  But there ain’t time now.”

Logan stood and walked to the window.  He pulled the drape back and squinted against the bright sunlight. 

Gene knew his true feelings about his daughter.  Didn’t that just beat all?  Did anyone else know?  Like Matt?  Sweat sprouted across his forehead at that thought.  He wasn’t sure which unsettled him more, Gene knowing his feelings or offering Matt up to him like a turkey shoot prize.

Hell’s fire!

But it wasn’t just Matt he was offering.  He was also offering the ranch.  The first place he’d called home since he was nine.  While the Standing T wasn’t the grandest ranch he’d ever worked, it was solid with a barn, bunkhouse, cookhouse and main house.  The hundred and fifty head of cattle wasn’t the biggest herd, either.  But a man could do worse.

Then there was Matt.

Hell and brimstone fire!

He had indeed been smitten by the raven-haired, green-eyed filly ever since he came to the Standing T.  But she’d barely been older than a child at thirteen, with him ten years her senior.  In the years he worked at the Standing T, he’d berated himself for every sinful thought he’d had about her.  Didn’t stop him from having them, though.  Many were the times he’d visualize her eyes, greener than Kentucky clover, while riding guard on the herd.  Thinking about her tempting lips, swan-like neck and lithe body that curved in all the right places had kept him warm on plenty of cold nights.

And she could be his.  Maybe. 

He could have a home again.  Maybe.

The drape fell back into place and Logan turned, his arms crossed.  “If you die, what’s to keep me from just sending her packing?”

Gene chuckled.  Logan didn’t like the shrewd sound.

“Cartwright, I don’t know much, but I know that ain’t gonna happen.”

The old man was right, damn it.  Logan would sooner chop off his own foot rather than do anything to harm Matt. 

“I got one more thing to ask of you,” Gene said.

Logan pinched the bridge of his nose.  “What’s that?”

“Matt can’t know I’m dying.”

“You want me to lie to her?”

“It ain’t so much lying as just not sayin’ all you know.”

Logan peered at Gene.  “How much time you got left?”

“Not much.  Bingham says my lungs are filling up.  Could happen anytime.”

“This isn’t right,” Logan continued to argue.  “Matt should know the truth.”

Gene’s expression turned hard.  “If she knew I was done for, what do you think she’d do?  Soon as the Reverend finished sayin’ words over my coffin, she’d hightail it outta here.”

“She might leave anyway.”

“Yeah, she might.  But she’d have a place to come home to.”

That sobered Logan.  “Matt will always have a home here,” he vowed.  “I wouldn’t keep what’s rightfully hers.”

“Unless you two are married, she’d never come back.  That what you want?  She’s too prideful by half and she’d rather starve than ask for help.  The only way to keep my little girl safe--.” 

The old man’s voice hitched.  An ache spread through Logan’s chest at the tortured sound. 

Gene cleared his throat and wiped his nose on his nightshirt sleeve.  “All the softness I ever knew died with her mother.  I never did right by Matt, but I did the best I could.  Loved her the best I could.  And now the only way to keep her safe after I’m gone is for you to marry her.  Do I have your word?”

Logan strode to the bedside, his decision made.  He gripped Gene’s gaunt shoulder and gave it a squeeze.  “Get some rest, old man.”