Almost a Bride by Patricia McLinn
Matty has to marry him, it's her only option. Her long lost friend Dave and he's a lawyer. She hopes to save her ranch that other in the family had just about bankrupt.
She needs to get the grant-that would turn the ranch around. It's only going to be a temporary arrangement...
Indian Paintbrush, what a bond! He doesn't think she will go through with it...
It all came down to where he lived, the county... he's not so happy when he finds out...
Like how the family welcomes her and the projects that bring the ranch money-interesting.
Lots of action, adventure and steamy sex scenes.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end. ( )

Overall I liked the way they sorted out their problems, but towards the end I lost interest a bit as the story seemed too drawn out. Also, the reason for the fake marriage seemed a bit thin.
Rating: 7/10 ( )

Almost a Bride by Patricia McLinn
Wyoming Wildflowers #1

Matty Brennan/Dave Currick

Matty and Dave had grown up together, a close friendship literally from the time they were around 5 years old, which developed into a romance through their early 20s, and were destined to eventually marry and work their ranch together. After some pressure from family, Dave let Matty go for what he thought was her own good, but he never stopped loving her. Unfortunately, he never explained his reasons why he was was breaking up with her, so she packed up her belongings and her broken heart and moved cross-country.

Six years later, she's back to take over her family ranch and try to dig it out of the hole her great-uncle left it in before he died. She's desperate not to lose the ranch and will do anything to save it, including swallow her pride and ask Dave Currick to marry her...temporarily. Reasons are given which are somewhat logical, but she can't tell him what they are. He agrees with few questions. You have to just go with it, I guess. He had a history of always protecting her.

Their love and chemistry is still there. But six years is a long time and people change. What they have to figure out is whether they really do love each other now, or if it is only their memories of what they had and lost? And if their love is true, can they bridge the gap that was made when they said their goodbyes six years before? ( )