Maureen Child - Shot Gun Grooms

SHOTGUN GROOMS by Susan Mallery and Maureen Child

Lucas’s Convenient Bride

When loner Jackson MacIntyre wakes up from a delirious fever, it’s to find that he’s not only wedded Miss Molly Malone, but he’s bedded her, too! Yes, he’ll get his inheritance now that he’s fulfilled the terms of his father’s will by getting married, but how can he enjoy it when an Irish spitfire’s determined to complicate his life? It certainly doesn’t help that he can’t resist her no matter how hard he tries…

Jackson’s Mail-Order Bride

Lucas MacIntyre stands to inherit half of a saloon, gold mine, and ranch, but there’s just one problem: his uncle created a clause in his will, stipulating that he and his brother must marry if they want to claim their property. So Lucas proposes that Emily Smythe, the hard-edged newcomer, become his wife so that she can manage his saloon and he can inherit. But Lucas never counted on falling for Emily…

SUSAN MALLERY

“Susan Mallery is warmth and wit personified. Always a fabulous read.”

—New York Times bestselling author Christina Dodd

“Ms. Mallery’s unique writing style shines via vivid characters, layered disharmony and plenty of spice.”

—Romantic Times Magazine

MAUREEN CHILD

“Maureen Child is one of the foremost names in Americana romance.”

—Romantic Times Magazine

“…unique, endearing characters grab hold of your heartstrings and never let go…”

—Rendezvous

Shotgun Grooms

Susan Mallery & Maureen Child

Harlequin Historical #575

Join the fun with

Susan Mallery

and

Maureen Child

as they bring you

** an exciting Western historical featuring 2 stories in 1 **

Lucas and Jackson MacIntyre are forced to marry in order to claim their inheritance!

But will these brothers find everlasting love?

AND DON’T MISS THESE OTHER TITLES FROM HARLEQUIN HISTORICALS AVAILABLE NOW:

#576 THE MACKINTOSH BRIDE

Debra Lee Brown

#577 THE GUNSLINGER’S BRIDE

Cheryl St. John

#578 THE SLEEPING BEAUTY

Jacqueline Navin

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Cover

Back Cover Text SHOTGUN GROOMS by Susan Mallery and Maureen Child Lucas’s Convenient Bride When loner Jackson MacIntyre wakes up from a delirious fever, it’s to find that he’s not only wedded Miss Molly Malone, but he’s bedded her, too! Yes, he’ll get his inheritance now that he’s fulfilled the terms of his father’s will by getting married, but how can he enjoy it when an Irish spitfire’s determined to complicate his life? It certainly doesn’t help that he can’t resist her no matter how hard he tries… Jackson’s Mail-Order Bride Lucas MacIntyre stands to inherit half of a saloon, gold mine, and ranch, but there’s just one problem: his uncle created a clause in his will, stipulating that he and his brother must marry if they want to claim their property. So Lucas proposes that Emily Smythe, the hard-edged newcomer, become his wife so that she can manage his saloon and he can inherit. But Lucas never counted on falling for Emily…

Praise Praise for the authors of SHOTGUN GROOMS SUSAN MALLERY “Susan Mallery is warmth and wit personified. Always a fabulous read.” —New York Times bestselling author Christina Dodd “Ms. Mallery’s unique writing style shines via vivid characters, layered disharmony and plenty of spice.” —Romantic Times Magazine MAUREEN CHILD “Maureen Child is one of the foremost names in Americana romance.” —Romantic Times Magazine “…unique, endearing characters grab hold of your heartstrings and never let go…” —Rendezvous Shotgun Grooms Susan Mallery & Maureen Child Harlequin Historical #575

Title Page Shotgun Grooms Susan Mallery Maureen Child www.millsandboon.co.uk

Lucas’s Convenient Bride

Booklist

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

Jackson’s Mail-Order Bride

Booklist

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

Extract

Copyright

Susan Mallery

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Wild West Wife #419

Silhouette Special Edition

Their Little Princess #1298

The Sheik’s Kidnapped Bride #1316

The Sheik’s Arranged Marriage #1324

The Sheik’s Secret Bride #1331

The Rancher Next Door #1358

Unexpectedly Expecting! #1370

Wife in Disguise #1383

Shelter in a Soldier’s Arms #1400

Silhouette Intimate Moments

Cinderella for a Night #1029

Defiance, Colorado, 1875

Emily Smythe was more than ready to dance with the devil—if only he weren’t so large. Still, walking away now would be nigh on to shirking and she’d never once shirked in her life. She squared her thin shoulders, raised her chin and told herself that she had righteousness on her side. Righteousness and a plan. With the right plan, a person could take on the devil himself and win.

Ignoring the trembling of her limbs and the way her stomach seemed to be jumping around inside her, she pushed through the swinging doors of the Silver Slipper saloon and stepped into a smoky world.

She had a brief impression of a much larger crowd than she’d expected for a midweek afternoon. There were at least two dozen tables spread out around the main part of the room, nearly all of them occupied. On the far side of the saloon, men sat playing cards. Gambling, she thought with both distaste and shock. Gambling in the middle of the day. Who could imagine such a thing?

Her gaze drifted right and she saw the long, wide bar that stretched the length of the room. It was polished wood, nearly chest high and crowded with men. Behind the bar she saw mirrors, dozens of bottles of liquor and a big bear of man. Lucas MacIntyre, the devil himself.

Emily pursed her lips together in disapproval as she took in the tall, muscular man dressed in black trousers, a white shirt and fancy red vest. Lucas MacIntyre didn’t wear a coat like a respectable man, but considering he operated a saloon, allowed gambling and sold spirits, she doubted the lack of formal attire would be noticed on his very long, very serious list of transgressions.