Welcome back to Romance Sweet Reads. Today we're featuring another book from the Matchmaker's MixUp series. Audie's Audacious Bride, by Kimberly Grist is the 17th book in this great series.
Genre: Historical/Inspirational Western Romance
Her application reads, “I’m at my best when surrounded by others. My ideal husband will live in town. Perhaps a tailor, shopkeeper, or someone running a diner. I am a hard worker, love to cook and sew, and would love the opportunity of working side by side as partners.”
Ranch owner Audie Harris has one single goal – to make the family ranch a success and secure it for future generations. He needs a wife who understands that the isolation and hard work of cattle farming are necessary to achieve his goal. With a young sister to raise and numerous ranch hands to feed, his application for a suitable wife reads, “a woman of robust stock, a good cook, and willing to produce a houseful of children.”
What does he get? “I asked for a practical woman with ranch experience, and they send me a Southern Belle who has more petticoats than she does sense.”
Can this mismatched couple blaze a trail to form a partnership of the romantic kind?
Available exclusively on Kindle Unlimited
“When the stage passes by this time next week, I will be on it.”
“What?” Twenty-eight-year-old Audie Harris glanced over his shoulder, noting the defiant lift to his sister’s chin. A burst of wind blew with a vengeance, causing the wooden signboard of the Rocking H Ranch to squeak and sway on its hinge. “Hold up a minute while I finish securing the water barrel to the wagon, then you can tell me what new burr is under your saddle.” His jaw twitched as he secured the last knot. He had to agree with his grandfather’s advice. “There are only two stances to take when arguing with a woman, and neither works.” The last thing he needed this morning was to waste time arguing.
“It’s the same complaint I’ve had since you inherited this ranch from Grandpa two years ago.” Nose in the air with nostrils flaring, Anna’s anger was as apparent as the wind billowing her skirts. “While you and the boys are out rounding up cattle, I’m stuck here by myself, miles away from town with only prairie dust, cows, and manure for company.”
“Just because I appreciate the beauty of the place doesn’t mean I want to live here the rest of my life. Truly our baby sister is the only reason I’ve lasted this long.” Straying locks of dark hair blew across his sister’s face, and her blue eyes, so like his own, grew misty. “Even though I admire your resolve to make the ranch profitable again, this has been the longest two years of my life. I’m lonely, Audie. I want a home and family of my own.”
“Which is the only reason I let you weasel me into this matchmaking venture. When my new bride arrives, she will give you the help and companionship you need.”
Anna tossed her long braid over her shoulder. “Your words, not mine. Using the matchmaking service may be my idea, but every decision I make is not about saving the ranch. I want us both to have a chance at happiness.”
“Things won’t always be this hard. While the war was raging, thousands of longhorn cattle left to breed unchecked still roam free for the taking. What’s proving trickier is how long it takes to fatten them up.” He inclined his chin toward the split-rail fence he’d rebuilt, pig-tight, horse high, and bull strong.
Several steers lay amongst the buffalo clover, seemingly unaffected by the vibrant sapphire blue petals.
“This next roundup should allow us to pay the taxes and purchase some new horses. By this time next year, we will be sitting as pretty as that field of bluebonnets. That’s no exaggeration.”
“What about you personally? Your days are so focused on rounding up cattle, you’ve forgotten your dream of breeding and training horses.”
Audie rubbed his chest. “I haven’t forgotten. But the cattle will provide the cash flow we need to keep food on the table.”
“A table so extended it’s taken over the front parlor.” His sister let out an exaggerated breath. “Please try to see my side of things. This ranch is a dream you and our grandfather shared, but it’s not mine. The man I’ve been writing to owns a sawmill and lives close to town. He’s willing to share his life with a spinster like me.”
“You are only twenty-one, and that’s hardly old enough to be a spinster. The men in Texas must outnumber women fifty to one. Just because I’m settling and marrying for convenience doesn’t mean you need to. You still have plenty of time to meet someone, fall in love, and marry.”
“We’ve been over this again and again. How am I supposed to meet anyone? We are miles away from town and our nearest neighbors.”
As a young girl, I enjoyed making up stories to make people laugh. But in reality, I wanted to be Laura Ingalls Wilder of Little House on the Prairie fame. The problem was I was born in the wrong century. My stories are designed to entertain, refresh, and encourage you, the reader. They combine History, Humor, and Romance emphasizing Faith, Friends, and Good Clean Fun.
You can find all the books in the Matchmaker's Mix-Up series on
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Thanks to Kim, and to my readers for stopping by today. Please come back again soon. April and May are going to be chock full of wonderful new sweet/inspirational romance reads!
Nancy
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