McKettrick's have the option to stay on the Triple M and
ranch with their extended family but as the generations
expand several chose to seek out their own future, as
ranchers, lawmen, and in a variety of other professions.
Clay McKettrick had a plan starting with becoming marshal
in a very small town in Texas, Blue River. The job came with
a meager salary, not an issue for Clay, and a town owned
house of his own during his tenure as marshal. That's all
he needed for the moment, he really had his sights set on
something more concrete for his future. His plans included
building his own home on ranch land procured in Blue River
and then finding a woman to become his wife and mother of a
brood of children that at this time were only a dream. Clay
was a deliberate man -- one step at a time -- but upon his
arrival in town his prescience was going to be short
circuited. He fell in love. No, he hadn't found his future
wife -- at least not yet -- but he was immediately smitten
with this little bit of a girl, with the vocabulary and
poise of an adult, who quickly filled him in on what his
arrival meant for her family.
Edrina, blunt to say the least and only six years old,
lacked the ability to temper what
she said so Clay was treated to her family's story in a
matter of minutes. Clay took an instant liking to this
little spitfire and realized he needed to see her safely
home before anyone worried over her absence. That's when
the second cog to his plan came to a screeching halt. If he
was enthralled by Edrina, Clay was not prepared for his
instant attraction to her lovely mother who was obviously
not happy to see him at all.
Dara Rose dreaded the day
knowing that it meant they would have to vacate the
marshal's house with no viable option of where to go and no
real means to support her little brood. But she wasn't
prepared for the mayors decision that they be out right
after the holidays. She knew the Christmas holiday didn't
hold any special treats for her girls -- it was all she
could do to supply meager necessities. She had given up
any pretense of believing in miracles. Even Edrina was
adamant in warning her sister Harriet against getting excited
about Christmas. Clay was equally intent on doing all he
could to bring a bit of believing in miracles to this
household filled with delightful females. And we all know
that once a McKettrick sets his mind to something -- well
hold on for the ride of your life.
We are again treated to another tale involving one of my
favorite families by the amazing Miller who just steals
your heart with good stories about good people. Her overall
theme of strength in family never fails to grab your
attention and keep you coming back for more.
The sudden death of the town marshal leaves Blue River,
Texas, without a lawman…and twenty-five-year-old Dara Rose
Nolan without a husband. As winter approaches and her meager
seamstress income dwindles, she has three options. Yet she
won’t give up her two young daughters, refuses to join the
fallen women of the Bitter Gulch Saloon and can’t fathom
condemning herself to another loveless marriage.
Unfortunately she must decide—soon—because there’s a new
marshal in town, and she’s living under his roof.
With the heart of a cowboy, Clay McKettrick plans to start a
ranch and finally settle down. He isn’t interested in
uprooting Dara Rose and her children, but he is interested
in giving her protection, friendship—and passion.
And when they say “I do” to a marriage of convenience, the
temporary lawman’s Christmas wish is to make Dara Rose his
permanent wife…