Christine Rimmer - Marriage, Maverick Style!

She groaned at that. “See? I’m a mess when it comes to this relationship stuff. I just asked you to be my friend and ten minutes later I’m grilling you about other women, making you think I’m demanding exclusivity.”

“But you do want exclusivity, don’t you?” He had no doubt that she did. “See, that’s the thing, Tessa. You have to tell me what you want.”

She blew out her cheeks with a hard breath. “Well, how about if you could be exclusive for the next two weeks, anyway?”

Carson tried not to grin. “Even though we’re just friends?”

She covered her face with her hands. “We shouldn’t even be talking about this right now. It’s too early to be talking about this.”

He suggested, “How about this? I promise not to seduce any strange women for the next two weeks—present company excluded.”

She let her hands drop to her lap, revealing bright spots of red high on her cheeks. “Maybe you shouldn’t warn me ahead that you’ll be trying to seduce me.”

“Why not? We both know that I will, so the least I can do is be honest about it.”

* * *

Montana Mavericks:

The Baby Bonanza—

Meet Rust Creek Falls’ newest bundles of joy!

www.millsandboon.co.uk

CHRISTINE RIMMERcame to her profession the long way around. She tried everything from acting to teaching to telephone sales. Now she’s finally found work that suits her perfectly. She insists she never had a problem keeping a job—she was merely gaining “life experience” for her future as a novelist. Christine lives with her family in Oregon. Visit her at www.christinerimmer.com.

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For MSR,

always.

Contents

Cover

Introduction “You want us to be exclusive? That is what you’re talking about here, right?” She groaned at that. “See? I’m a mess when it comes to this relationship stuff. I just asked you to be my friend and ten minutes later I’m grilling you about other women, making you think I’m demanding exclusivity.” “But you do want exclusivity, don’t you?” He had no doubt that she did. “See, that’s the thing, Tessa. You have to tell me what you want.” She blew out her cheeks with a hard breath. “Well, how about if you could be exclusive for the next two weeks, anyway?” Carson tried not to grin. “Even though we’re just friends?” She covered her face with her hands. “We shouldn’t even be talking about this right now. It’s too early to be talking about this.” He suggested, “How about this? I promise not to seduce any strange women for the next two weeks—present company excluded.” She let her hands drop to her lap, revealing bright spots of red high on her cheeks. “Maybe you shouldn’t warn me ahead that you’ll be trying to seduce me.” “Why not? We both know that I will, so the least I can do is be honest about it.” * * * Montana Mavericks: The Baby Bonanza— Meet Rust Creek Falls’ newest bundles of joy!

Title Page Marriage, Maverick Style! Christine Rimmer www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author CHRISTINE RIMMER came to her profession the long way around. She tried everything from acting to teaching to telephone sales. Now she’s finally found work that suits her perfectly. She insists she never had a problem keeping a job—she was merely gaining “life experience” for her future as a novelist. Christine lives with her family in Oregon. Visit her at www.christinerimmer.com .

Dedication For MSR, always.

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

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One Contents Cover Introduction “You want us to be exclusive? That is what you’re talking about here, right?” She groaned at that. “See? I’m a mess when it comes to this relationship stuff. I just asked you to be my friend and ten minutes later I’m grilling you about other women, making you think I’m demanding exclusivity.” “But you do want exclusivity, don’t you?” He had no doubt that she did. “See, that’s the thing, Tessa. You have to tell me what you want.” She blew out her cheeks with a hard breath. “Well, how about if you could be exclusive for the next two weeks, anyway?” Carson tried not to grin. “Even though we’re just friends?” She covered her face with her hands. “We shouldn’t even be talking about this right now. It’s too early to be talking about this.” He suggested, “How about this? I promise not to seduce any strange women for the next two weeks—present company excluded.” She let her hands drop to her lap, revealing bright spots of red high on her cheeks. “Maybe you shouldn’t warn me ahead that you’ll be trying to seduce me.” “Why not? We both know that I will, so the least I can do is be honest about it.” * * * Montana Mavericks: The Baby Bonanza— Meet Rust Creek Falls’ newest bundles of joy! Title Page Marriage, Maverick Style! Christine Rimmer www.millsandboon.co.uk About the Author CHRISTINE RIMMER came to her profession the long way around. She tried everything from acting to teaching to telephone sales. Now she’s finally found work that suits her perfectly. She insists she never had a problem keeping a job—she was merely gaining “life experience” for her future as a novelist. Christine lives with her family in Oregon. Visit her at www.christinerimmer.com . Dedication For MSR, always. 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 Epilogue Extract Copyright

Carson Drake was ready to go home to LA.

As president and CEO of both Drake Distilleries and Drake Hospitality, Carson enjoyed luxury cars, willing, sophisticated women and very old Scotch, not necessarily in that order. As for small country towns where everybody knew everybody and every holiday included flag-waving and a parade?

Didn’t thrill him in the least.

So what, really, was he doing here on the town hall steps in a tiny dot on the Montana map called Rust Creek Falls? Carson pondered that question as he watched the Rust Creek Falls Baby Bonanza Memorial Day Parade wander by. All around him flags waved. And there were babies. A whole bunch of babies.

Carson had nothing against babies. As long they belonged to someone else, babies were fine with him. But did he have any interest in watching a parade that featured babies?

The answer would be no.

Beside him, Ryan Roarke, a lawyer and Carson’s friend of several years, said, “That’s Emmet DePaulo.” Ryan waved at a tall, thin older man on the Rust Creek Falls Medical Clinic float as it rolled by. The man was dressed in a white coat and had a stethoscope slung around his neck. “Emmet runs the local clinic with the help of Callie Crawford, who’s—”