Her Favorite Maverick

by Christine Rimmer

  A single mom, her baby girl...

  And maverick make three!

  Logan Crawford might just be the perfect man. From the top of his Stetson to his pointy-toed boots, he is 100 percent cowboy. A girl would have to be a fool to turn him down. Or a coward.

  Sarah Turner thinks she might be both. But the single mom has no time for love and no inclination to be the sexy rancher’s “just for now.” Logan, however, is determined to steal her heart!

  “What did my father say to you?”

  Sarah rose and picked up the empty carrier. “It doesn’t matter.”

  “If he’s upset you—”

  “Logan, I’m not upset.” It was true. She was pretty much over Max and his issues with her as a potential bride for his oldest son.

  She wasn’t a potential bride—not for Logan or anyone. And Max had done her no harm.

  In fact, their little chat had been a good thing. It had served to remind her that she was single and planned on staying that way. She liked Logan—maybe too much. He was kind and so generous. He made her laugh and she loved being with him. And whenever he kissed her, she wanted him to kiss her again, to keep kissing her and touching her and doing all those wonderful things to her that made her feel desired and satisfied in all the best ways.

  But he wouldn’t break her heart. She wouldn’t let him. What they had together was no lifetime commitment. She wasn’t counting on anything. They were both having a wonderful time for as long as it lasted.

  And, she promised herself, she was perfectly happy with that.

  * * *

  MONTANA MAVERICKS:

  Six Brides for Six Brothers

  Dear Reader,

  Welcome back to Rust Creek Falls, Montana, where rapscallion rancher Maximilian Crawford is determined to find brides for his six hot and handsome single sons.

  Max’s oldest son, Logan, likes pretty women and the single life. Logan never plans to marry.

  As for overworked accountant and single mom Sarah Turner, well, let’s just say that romance is not on her agenda. The last thing she needs is a man.

  But then Logan meets Sarah. The attraction is immediate and powerful. He wants her. A lot. He even finds himself entranced by her adorable five-month-old daughter, Sophia, who seems to return his affection. And no, Logan has no plans to put a ring on Sarah’s finger or to be a daddy to her baby.

  But for as long as it lasts, he’s set on being the best thing that ever happened to Sarah and little Sophia.

  Too bad Sarah has sworn off men indefinitely and has zero interest in saying yes to even a single date with Logan—forget about a whirlwind romance.

  Logan is very determined, though. And Sarah may not want to admit it, but she is every bit as attracted to him as he is to her. And he’s so good with her baby, so charming, so generous...

  I had such a great time writing this story of two strong-willed, independent people drawn together in spite of their mutual determination to remain steadfastly single. I so hope you enjoy watching Logan and Sarah find love and forever together against all the odds.

  All my best,

  Christine Rimmer

  Her Favorite Maverick

  Christine Rimmer

  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 christinerimmer.com.

  Books by Christine Rimmer

  Harlequin Special Edition

  The Bravos of Valentine Bay

  The Nanny’s Double Trouble

  Almost a Bravo

  Same Time, Next Christmas

  Switched at Birth

  The Bravos of Justice Creek

  Carter Bravo’s Christmas Bride

  James Bravo’s Shotgun Bride

  Ms. Bravo and the Boss

  A Bravo for Christmas

  The Lawman’s Convenient Bride

  Garrett Bravo’s Runaway Bride

  Married Till Christmas

  Montana Mavericks: The Lonelyhearts Ranch

  A Maverick to (Re)Marry

  Montana Mavericks: The Great Family Roundup

  The Maverick Fakes a Bride!

  Visit the Author Profile page at www.Harlequin.com for more titles.

  Join Harlequin My Rewards today and earn a FREE ebook!

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  Thanks to the brilliant and beautiful Kimberly Fletcher, who named the sweet white kitten in this story. Kimberly suggested I call the kitten Opal—and I did. I love that name so much! As a thank-you, I offered to dedicate this book to Kimberly. She asked instead that I give her a different kind of dedication...

  Her Favorite Maverick is dedicated to Wildflower and Miss Clack and to everyone who has survived cancer. Kimberly would also like to dedicate this story to those who live with a cancer survivor and to anyone who has suffered the loss of a loved one to cancer.

  Cancer touches all of us in one way or another. Fight hard, reach out to those you love and know that you are not alone.

  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

  Epilogue

  Excerpt from A Promise for the Twins by Melissa Senate

  Chapter One

  As Sarah Turner emerged from the tiny back-room office of the former train depot, Vivienne Shuster Dalton glanced up from a worktable covered in fabric swatches, to-do lists, project folders and open sample books.

  “There you are,” said Viv.

  “Just giving it all one more look.” Sarah tried for a light tone, but going over the books yet another time hadn’t changed a thing. The news was not good.

  “Please tell us you’ve found a solution to our problem.”

  If only.

  Viv’s business partner, Caroline Ruth Clifton, stood across the worktable from her. Caroline turned her big dark eyes on Sarah and asked hopefully, “We can swing it, right?”

  The answer was no.

  And for Sarah, whether she was trying to claw her way up the food chain at the biggest accounting firm in Chicago or working in her dad’s little office right here in Rust Creek Falls, Montana, her least favorite part of the job remained the same. She hated telling clients that they were in trouble—especially clients she liked and admired.

  Viv and Caroline were a couple of dynamos. They’d even opened a second location down in Thunder Canyon, Montana. Caroline spent most of her time there.

  And here in Rust Creek Falls, all the brides flocked to the old train depot to get Viv to create their perfect wedding.

  Unfortunately, both the rustic train depot and Viv’s primary local wedding venue—the brick freight house nearby—needed new roofs. All new. They couldn’t just slap a fresh layer of shingles on. Both buildings required tear-outs and rebuilds. Plus, there were structural issues that would have to be addressed. Viv had collected bids. She knew what the work would cost.

  It was a lot.

  And the we
dding planners had already stretched every penny to the limit.

  Gently, Sarah laid it out. “I’m sorry. I’ve been over and over the numbers you gave me. The money just isn’t there. You need a loan or an investor.”

  “A loan against what?” Viv was shaking her head. “The buildings and the land belong to Cole’s family.” Her husband, Cole Dalton, was a local rancher. Cole and his large extended family owned a lot of the land in the Rust Creek Falls Valley. “I can’t take a loan against my in-laws’ property. We’re doing great, but, Sarah, you already know it’s all on a shoestring—and frankly, I struck out on my own so that I could do this my way.” Viv’s big green eyes shone with sheer determination. “An investor is going to want a say in how we run things.”

  “Not necessarily. Some investors just want a percentage of—”

  The little bell over the front door cut Sarah off midsentence.

  “Good morning, ladies,” boomed a deep male voice. The imposing figure in the open doorway swept off his black Stetson to reveal a thick head of silver hair. “Maximilian Crawford, at your service.” The man plunked his big hat to his heart. Tall and powerfully built, with a handsome, lived-in face and a neatly trimmed goatee and mustache, the guy almost didn’t seem real. He reminded Sarah of a character from one of those old-time TV Westerns. “I’m looking for Vivienne Dalton, the wedding planner,” he announced.

  “I’m Viv.” Viv started to step out from behind the worktable.

  But Maximilian was faster. In five giant strides, he was at her side. He took Viv’s hand and kissed it. “Such a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard great things.” He turned to Caroline, kissed her hand and then took Sarah’s and brushed his mustache across the back of it, too.

  Viv, who’d looked slightly stunned when the older man bowed over her hand, recovered quickly and made introductions. “Maximilian, this is Caroline, my partner, and Sarah Turner, with Falls Mountain Accounting.”

  “So happy to meet you, all three of you—and please call me Max. My sons and I have bought the Ambling A Ranch east of here. We’re newly arrived from the Dallas area, but we have Crawford relatives here in Rust Creek Falls. We’re putting down roots in your fine community.”

  “Welcome to town, Max.” Viv cut to the point. “How can we help you?”

  “I have an important job that needs doing. And, Vivienne, I know you are the one to tackle it.”

  “Well, if it’s a wedding you’re after, you’ve come to the right place. I take it you’re the groom?”

  Max threw back his silver head and let out a booming laugh. “Sorry, Viv. Not me. I’ve had enough of wedded bliss to last me three lifetimes. But my boys are another story. I’ve got six, each one better lookin’ than the one before. Goodhearted, my boys, if a bit skittish on the subject of love and marriage. As we speak, all six are single.” He shook a finger. “You ask me, that goes against the laws of God and man. It’s about time my boys settled down.”

  Caroline wore a puzzled frown. “So, then, what you’re saying is that all six of your sons are engaged?”

  Max let out a low, rueful chuckle. “No, pretty lady. What I’m saying is that my boys need brides. And, Viv, that’s where you come in. I want you and the lovely Caroline here to find each of my boys the perfect woman to marry—for a price, of course. A very nice price.”

  A silence followed. A long one. Sarah, who’d moved back from the worktable to let the wedding planners do their stuff, couldn’t help wondering if maybe Max Crawford was a few bucking broncs short of a rodeo. And judging by their carefully neutral expressions, Viv and Caroline also had their doubts.

  However, the train depot roofs weren’t going to replace themselves. Viv needed a large infusion of cash, stat. And if Max was for real, cash was exactly what he offered—too bad he was ordering up services Caroline and Viv didn’t provide.

  “But, Max,” Viv said patiently, “we plan weddings. We aren’t matchmakers.”

  “And why not? Matchmaking is an honest, time-honored practice. A lucrative one, too—at least it will be for you, with me as your client.”

  Viv slowly shook her head. “I’m so sorry. But we just don’t—”

  “A million,” Max cut in, bringing a trio of stunned gasps from Viv, Caroline and Sarah, too. Max nodded at Viv. “You heard me right. A million dollars. You find my boys wives and the money is yours.”

  “Max.” Viv let out a weak laugh. “That’s just crazy.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong. I’ve made my fortune thinking outside the box. And that makes me living, breathing proof that anything can be achieved if you’re willing to make your own rules.”

  Sarah took another step back from the worktable. She couldn’t have disagreed more. Rules mattered. And as much as she would like for Max to be the solution to Viv’s money troubles, fast-talking men were dangerous. Sarah had learned that sad lesson the hard way.

  Viv wasn’t going for it, either. “Are you asking us to set up six arranged marriages? No. Definitely not. Caroline and I could never do that.”

  “Arranged?” Max huffed out a breath. “No way. My boys would never go for that. They’ll choose their own brides. All I’m asking is that you find the perfect woman for each of them.”

  “Right,” Viv scoffed. “Easy peasy.”

  “Love isn’t something you can force.” Caroline added her quiet voice to Viv’s mocking one. “It really does have to develop naturally and—”

  “Caroline, darlin’.” Max patted her shoulder. “I couldn’t agree with you more. We’re on the same page. You won’t be arranging anything. You won’t need to. I’ve heard all about Rust Creek Falls. Love is everywhere you turn around here and the percentage of pretty women is satisfyingly high. You set my boys up and they are bound to fall.”

  Sarah took another step back. How could they believe a word the guy said? He talked too fast and he’d openly admitted that he made his own rules.

  As if he’d sensed her retreat, the big man shifted his glance to Sarah. “So how ’bout you, darlin’?”

  Sarah straightened her shoulders and hitched up her chin. “What about me?”

  “Are you looking for the right guy to marry?”

  She was looking for anything but. “Excuse me? You want to marry me off to one of your sons?”

  “Sweet, sweet Sarah, just say yes.” Max actually winked at her. “You won’t regret it.”

  “Sorry, but I’m not on the, um, market.”

  “Got a sweetheart already, then?”

  “No. I’m simply not interested.”

  Max heaved a big sigh. “That’s a crying shame, and I mean that sincerely. You’re a beautiful woman with a sharp brain, I can tell. You’d be just perfect for—”

  “Dad. What are you up to now?” At the sound of another commanding male voice, Sarah whirled toward the open door.

  “Patience, Logan,” Max replied. “Just give your old man a few minutes more.”

  “They plan weddings here, Dad. You don’t have a fiancée, so you don’t need a wedding. Xander and I are getting tired of waiting in the truck.”

  Sarah tried not to stare. But really, who could blame her? The cowboy in the doorway was hot—tall and lean, with thick brown hair and a mouth that would have just about any girl thinking of long, scorching kisses.

  At the moment, though, that gorgeous mouth was scowling at Max. “What’s going on here?”

  As he spoke, another fine-looking cowboy entered behind him. The second guy said, “Whatever you think you’re pulling, Dad—don’t.”

  Max only laughed. “Come on over here, boys. Let me introduce you to Viv, Caroline and Sarah.” His big white teeth gleamed as his smile stretched wide again. “What did I tell you, ladies? Meet my oldest son, Logan, and third-born, Xander.”

  The first cowboy, Logan, flicked a glance in Sarah’s direction—and froze. Now he was
staring right at her. “Hello, Sarah,” he said low. Intimately. As though they were the only two people in the room.

  And then he was on the move again, coming straight for her. He stopped a foot away, right up in her space. The breath fled her lungs. The guy was even hotter up close. It should be illegal to have eyes so blue.

  With a little shiver of unwelcome delight, she took his offered hand. His big, warm fingers engulfed hers. More shivers skittered up her arm.

  Absurd. Sarah Turner had no time for the shivers. Not anymore. No way was she letting a pair of bedroom eyes lead her astray again.

  But Logan wasn’t making it easy for her. He stared at her like she was the most beautiful creature he’d ever seen.

  Why? She so didn’t get it. She was not at her best and hadn’t been for way too long now. A year and a half ago, she’d been hot...ish.

  Now, though? She wore her hair in a ponytail to keep it out of the way and didn’t bother with makeup beyond a swipe of mascara and maybe some lip gloss. On a good day, she made it all the way to dinnertime without getting spit-up on her shirt.

  Max just kept talking. “Boys, Viv and Caroline here not only plan weddings, they also serve as the Rust Creek Falls dating service.” Such a liar, that Max. He wouldn’t know the truth if it bit him on the butt. “And Sarah is not only gorgeous—she’s got a mind for figures, works as an accountant right in town. Falls Mountain Accounting, I believe. Have I got that right, Sarah?”

  Logan still held her hand. She really ought to pull away. But she didn’t. “I’m a CPA, yes,” she said as she continued to stare into Logan’s blue eyes.

  “I think I need an accountant,” said the killer-handsome cowboy in that deep, smooth voice of his, never once letting go of her gaze—or her hand. “And a dating service works for me. Sign me up. I’ll take you, Sarah. To dinner. Tonight.”

  “Uh, yeah. Right.” She laughed, playing it off, as her traitorous heart flipped cartwheels inside her chest.

  Ridiculous. Impossible. She had no time for dates. If she had any extra time, she would spend it sleeping. And never again would she believe the lies of a handsome, smooth-talking man.