Rocky Mountain Marriage

Rocky Mountain Marriage
Debra Lee Brown

GAMBLERS AND DANCE HALL GALS MADE A HELL OF A LEGACY FOR A SCHOOLMARM!But Dora Fitzpatrick was determined to run her late father's saloon–at least until she uncovered the secrets hidden at the Royal Flush. Not the smallest of which concerned Chance Wellesley! Who was this handsome cardsharp who made her feel like his Queen of Hearts?Chance Wellesley could see right off that Dora Fitzpatrick was smart as a whip–and prettier than she realized. Sooner or later she'd deduce his true intentions. But even riskier was how she could make him shuffle his plans and hope for a full house–of marriage, family and lifelong love!

“You’re right not to trust me.”

He paused, as if some terrible struggle were going on in his mind.

She was aware of her beating heart, of the room growing warmer. He grazed her palm with his thumb, tenderly, with affection, and the sensation of it sent a shiver clear up her spine.

Then without warning, as if he’d been dreaming and had all of a sudden come awake, he laughed. His face lit up, his eyes flashed mischief. She tried to draw her hand away as the man withdrew and the rogue appeared.

His fingers tightened over hers. “I’ve been known to lead women astray.” To punctuate the point, he arched one dark brow in a scandalously suggestive manner.

Dora pulled herself together. “Yes, well…” She yanked, and her hand was freed. She shook it to revive her circulation. “This woman is miraculously unaffected!”

Praise for Debra Lee Brown’s previous titles

Gold Rush Bride

“Debra Lee Brown’s traditional romance captures the era’s excitement and excess in lively characters meant for each other.”

—Romantic Times

Ice Maiden

“Ice Maiden is an enticing tale that will warm your heart.”

—Romantic Times

“This Viking tale of high adventure gallops through time and into the hearts of the reader.”

—Rendezvous

The Virgin Spring

“Debra Lee Brown makes her mark with The Virgin Spring, which should be read by all lovers of Scottish romances.”

—Affaire de Coeur

“A remarkable story. The fast pace, filled with treachery, mystery, and passion, left me breathless.”

—Rendezvous

Rocky Mountain Marriage

Debra Lee Brown

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

For Dad, Dorothy and Uncle Dickie

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

Epilogue

Chapter One

Colorado, 1884

“I t’s a saloon?”

“Yes, ma’am. The pride of Last Call. Draws customers from Fairplay to Garo.” The driver hefted her trunk from the buckboard and set it on the ground under a young oak, in front of the steps leading up to the entrance.

There had to be some mistake. Her father had owned a cattle ranch, not a…a… Dora couldn’t breathe. She gawked at the gold-leaf-lettered sign above the swinging doors. The Royal Flush. Established 1876. William Fitzpatrick, proprietor.