His Troublesome Bride (BBW Western Romance – Millionaire Cowboys 5): Millionaire Cowboys, #5

By Jenn Roseton

Paige Honeywood needs a husband – fast!

With only six months to go until her thirtieth birthday, curvy veterinarian Paige needs to marry in order to inherit six figures from her grandmother’s estate. It’s also the exact amount of money she needs to buy the local vet practice, where she’s worked for the last year.

But she doesn’t know any eligible men – apart from her friend, Mack Coltson. When Mack offers to marry her, she’s surprised – but secretly thrilled. Because ever since she met him, she hasn’t been able to stop thinking about him.

Can their marriage of convenience turn into one of love? Paige quickly realizes she’s fallen in love with her husband, but does he feel the same way about her? Can he love her – and her curves? Or should she set Mack free and give up her dream of buying her own vet practice in Spring River Bend, Montana?

This is a contemporary romance novella of 37,000 words and can be read as a stand-alone.

You may also enjoy:

His Tempting Bride (BBW Western Romance – Millionaire Cowboys 1)

His Mysterious Bride (BBW Western Romance – Millionaire Cowboys 2)

His Desperate Bride (BBW Western Romance – Millionaire Cowboys 3)

His Inconvenient Bride (BBW Western Romance – Millionaire Cowboys 4)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jenn Roseton
• Release date: Jun 19, 2016
• ISBN: 9781536514544

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

I’m thinking of getting married. Paige Honeywood settled against the yellow sofa cushions and sipped her coffee. Do you know anyone who might be interested?

Me, Mack Coltson growled silently. But all he said in a dangerously polite tone was, Why?

So I can buy Dr. Mortimer’s practice. She made it sound like it was the most natural reason in the world to want to get married.

He’s selling? Mack kept his tone neutral, while his brain worked furiously. Surely there was more to her wanting to get married than to buy the veterinarian practice she worked for.

He didn’t think she’d have any problems finding a husband if she put the word out. Her shining chestnut hair curled just under her chin, and her blue-gray eyes ... the first time he’d seen her, he’d been smitten. Still was. And that was before he’d even started fantasizing about her curvy figure.

But perhaps smitten was the wrong word. He desired her. Needed her. He’d wanted to get to know her better romantically the first time they’d met, but somehow she’d managed to imply, without any words, that she was only interested in him as a friend.

Friend-zoned.

And he was sick of it.

Yes.

He realized she’d answered his question, and forced himself to concentrate on the conversation, and not on the way her lips looked so soft and inviting, as if daring him to kiss her.

He’d been tempted many times, but something had always held him back. Although he wanted more – much more from her – he didn’t want to lose her as a friend. And if all she was willing to give was friendship, then he would take it.

Until now.

Just the thought of some other guy marrying her, vowing to love and care for her, made his blood pressure boil. And Paige sharing a marital bed – or any other kind of bed with someone who wasn’t him? – not going to happen.

Why do you need to get married to buy the practice? He silently congratulated himself on his even tone.

So I can receive my inheritance from my grandmother. She placed her cup on the coffee table, and crinkled her brow. Haven’t I told you about that?

No. He met her gaze, desire surging through him – like it always did when he was around her.

She wore light brown slacks, a green t-shirt kind of top and a cute pair of heels with green bows on them. It was late Saturday afternoon in August. They’d gone to see a spy thriller at one of the movie theaters in Billings, and then she’d invited him in for coffee afterwards.

It had been hell to keep his hands to himself in the darkened theater. The subtle lilac scent of her shampoo had wrapped itself around him. He’d been aware of every tiny movement she’d made sitting next to him, every intake of breath, every gasp at an exciting part of the movie. Mack had been more focused on her than the film.

If I marry before the age of thirty, I’ll inherit three hundred thousand dollars, she explained, gazing steadily at him. And that’s just enough to buy Dr. Mortimer’s practice. He wants to retire. His wife has dementia and he needs to put her in a nursing home. He said he can’t cope much longer.

I didn’t know that. Mack frowned. He’d been taking his animals to Dr. Mortimer for years – in fact, his five brothers had as well. It was the only veterinarian practice in Spring River Bend, and Dr. Mortimer was an excellent vet.

So was Paige.

He’d met her a year ago when one of his cows had been calving. He’d lived on the 8C Ranch all his life, and usually managed the calving himself, but this time it looked like it could be a breech birth and he wanted to make sure the delivery went as smoothly as it could. Instead of Dr. Mortimer though, Paige had turned up, looking competent and efficient in navy slacks and sweater, and carrying a black medical bag.

And totally desirable.

Once they delivered the calf, he’d invited her into his house for a cup of coffee, and the conversation had naturally flowed. He’d learned she’d just started working for Dr. Mortimer, having previously worked for two years as a vet in Billings.

But no matter how many times he’d hinted he’d like to be more than friends, she’d somehow managed to rebuff him without words.

But this was his chance.

Dr. Mortimer’s been keeping it quiet, she told him, her face troubled. It’s not very fair, is it? He and his wife are such lovely people. But he told us last week he needs to sell up to afford the nursing home fees and also help provide for his retirement. And if no one wants to buy the practice, then that corporate chain will swoop in and purchase it.

What chain? Mack studied her.

This awful chain that puts profits ahead of animals. A blush tinged her cheeks. I used to work for them in Billings. It was the only job I could find after I received my degree. She shook her head. At first everything seemed okay, but the longer I worked there, the more I realized that it was all about the money, not the animals. We had to bill for every little thing – it was amazing there wasn’t a billing code for stroking a kitten!

An image of Paige stroking him came to mind, and he hastily shoved the thought away, before his jeans tightened even more.

So, she took another sip of coffee, when I saw the position advertised at Dr. Mortimer’s, I applied for it. And once I started working for him, I realized this is the kind of practice I want to work in for the rest of my life. An old-fashioned vet practice where animals are more important than profit. She crinkled her nose. Although I’d still need to make a profit so I could pay myself and the staff.

And you need three hundred thousand dollars to do so.

Yes. A smile touched her lips. I’ve known about my grandmother’s will since I was eighteen and I just thought that ... you know, I’d be married by the time I was thirty. But— she hesitated, —that hasn’t happened. And I only have another six months before, her voice sank to a whisper, I turn thirty.

Hmm. He leaned back against the sofa. So you want to get married to buy the vet practice.

Yes. Because if I don’t, then my jerk of a cousin Horace will inherit, and he doesn’t even have to get married.

Do you want to get married just to cut him out of the will? Mack frowned.

Of course not! Paige set down her coffee cup with a thunk. Horace has been nasty to me ever since we were kids. Even then I knew I wanted to work with animals one day. He used to catch butterflies and pull off their wings in front of me, just to make me cry. She shuddered. Before I discovered Dr. Mortimer wanted to sell the practice, I thought I’d just let Horace inherit instead of me – although the money would have allowed me to pay off my student loans and be a big help buying a house, it didn’t seem right exactly to marry just for the sake of the money. But now ...

I see your point, Mack said. When she’d started talking about Dr. Mortimer, his first thought was to lend her the money, even though it would just about tap him out. And then he’d mentally kicked himself. By doing that, wasn’t he friend-zoning himself?

And now, apparently, there was her cousin to consider.

Have you kept in touch with Horace? he asked.

She made a face. No. But my mom has – her sister is Horace’s mother. He’s two years older than me and has already been divorced three times. He works at the DMV in Sheridan, Wyoming. I’m just glad he’s a whole state away from me.

Why did your grandmother stipulate you need to get married in order to inherit? Mack asked.

She shrugged. My grandmother was very old-fashioned and strict. I think she loved me in her own way, but she seemed to think getting married was the be-all and end-all of a girl’s existence. I guess this is her way of helping me.

Paige frowned. But obviously she didn’t think the same way about men getting married, since Horace doesn’t have to qualify in any way to inherit the money.

Unless you don’t succeed, Mack pointed out.

Yes. She sighed. And it looks like marriage doesn’t suit my cousin – or maybe it suits him too well if he’s gone through three wives already.

What do your parents think about it? He placed his mug on the coffee table.

Mom and Dad said they just want me to be happy, although they don’t want me to follow Horace’s track record in marriage. She gazed at him with her troubled blue-gray eyes. Neither do I. But I know I won’t qualify for a loan to buy the vet practice. I’ve still got a large amount of student debt to pay off. If I want to take over the practice, getting married looks like the only solution.

Paige sighed and looked at their mugs on the table. Want some more coffee?

Sure. He rose to help, but she waved him away.

I’ve got it. It’ll give me a chance to think while I make some more. She winced, rising from the sofa.

Is it your ankle? Mack frowned.

Yeah. It’s been getting worse lately. She picked up the cups, hobbling a little on her heels as she left the living room.

He followed her into the small kitchen. I still think you should get your foot checked out.

I know. She turned on the coffee maker. But when do I have the time? Paige turned to face him. I work five and a half days per week, the same hours as the doctor. I don’t even know if I should go to the doctor or to a podiatrist.

Make an appointment at both places and take some personal time, he said firmly. His eyes flickered to her feet. You don’t think your shoes could be the problem, do you?

No. She followed his gaze to her kitten heel shoes, cream with a sweet green bow on each one. Besides, I wear sturdy leather lace-up shoes for work. I barely get to wear these kinds of shoes as it is.

Mack’s lips firmed, but he didn’t say anything. He watched her while she made the coffee, wishing she wasn’t so stubborn about some things. Her left foot had been giving her problems for a few months now, but she always maintained she was too busy to go to the doctor. If he was her husband, he’d definitely make sure she went, even if he had to take her there himself.

He carried their mugs back into the living room, waiting until she was settled on the couch.

I could give you a foot rub. He quirked an eyebrow at her. No charge.

Her eyes widened and she

Reviews for His Troublesome Bride (BBW Western Romance – Millionaire Cowboys 5)

[joe anna · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The girl was so frustrating I almost quit reading the book. The whole story had immense potential but the constant back and forth struggle between the girl assuming things about their relationship and running away every time with NO explanation ruined the book for me. I wanted to like it but the lead girl put me off immensely.