The Rancher's Surprise Marriage

The Rancher's Surprise Marriage
Susan Crosby

“I have a proposition for you. ” It was strictly a temporary business arrangement. Movie idol Maggie McShane – America’s sweetheart – needed a husband, fast! But ever since they shared a dance and a night of incredible lovemaking, Tony Young had wanted the pleasure of something a little more…permanent.From the minute she met the sexy rancher, Maggie knew he was the answer to her wedding woes. But when the charade ended, would they have to call the whole thing off?Or could Maggie and Tony turn their sham marriage into a forever kind of love? Back in Business Romance outside the nine-to-five!

“Well, now, Margaret, seems to me I got somethin’ special to keep in my memory out of it. I can live with people teasin’ me.”

Tony leaned in to kiss her.

“Could you live with it for a few more months?” she asked before their lips touched.

He pulled back, met her gaze. “Meaning?”

“Last night when I said I knew who you were, that you owned the ranch, you said your ranch owns you. Am I remembering that right?”

“You are.”

Maggie drew a deep breath. “OK. So, then, I have a proposition for you.”

The last one had resulted in their being naked together. If this one involved that again, he’d be saying yes faster than a bronc bursts out of a chute.

“I’m listenin’, darlin’.”

“Marry me.”

Available in July 2009

from Mills & Boon

Cherish

Heart of Stone

by Diana Palmer

The Rancher’s Surprise Marriage

by Susan Crosby

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by Cathy Gillen Thacker

Her Texas Lawman

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The Baby Plan

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SUSAN CROSBY

believes in the value of setting goals, but also in the magic of making wishes, which often do come true–as long as she works hard enough. Along life’s journey she’s done a lot of the usual things–married, had children, attended college a little later than the average co-ed and earned a BA in English. Then she dived off the deep end into a full-time writing career, a wish come true.

Susan enjoys writing about people who take a chance on love, sometimes against all odds. She loves warm, strong heroes and good-hearted, self-reliant heroines, and will always believe in happily ever after.

More can be learned about her at www.susancrosby.com.

The Rancher’s Surprise Marriage

SUSAN CROSBY

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

For Larry and Peggy Ingham, and Kevin

and Stephanie Kennedy–generous, selfless,

inspired and industrious people who know

what’s important in life and go about achieving

it. I admire you all so much.

Chapter One

Maggie McShane blamed her lifelong weakness for cowboys on John Wayne movie marathons, a New Year’s Day family tradition. Those happy childhood memories pierced Maggie as she watched a cowboy mosey onto her Arizona movie set. He rivaled the Duke in looks, from his thick brown hair and blue eyes to his looming height. She felt caught in his crosshairs, the way his gaze zeroed in on her, and it was everything she could do to turn away from him, and prepare for her next take outside a rustic old barn on a working cattle ranch.

“Take your mark, please, Maggie,” the director said.

“Quiet on the set!”

The take was a different angle of an earlier shot, a sweeping arc that would end on a close-up of her face. Her expression was supposed to convey determination, but also a little insecurity.

“Cut! Let’s do it again. A little more grit this time, Maggie.”

“Right.” Maggie wondered who the cowboy was. Why was he on the set? Who gave him—

“Cut! Where’s your head, Maggie?” the director, Mac Iverson, asked.

Startled, she met his gaze, seeing more than curiosity there. Maggie was always prepared, always on cue. Darn cowboy. “Sorry, Mac.”

“All right. Once more. Action!”

The cowboy stuck his hat back on his head, covering that beautiful hair that curled down his neck a little…