The Bride Said, 'Finally!'

556—LOVE POTION #5

568—MISS CHARLOTTE SURRENDERS

587—A SHOTGUN WEDDING

607—DADDY CHRISTMAS

613—MATCHMAKING BABY

625—THE COWBOY’S BRIDE†† (#litres_trial_promo)

629—THE RANCH STUD†† (#litres_trial_promo)

633—THE MAVERICK MARRIAGE†† (#litres_trial_promo)

673—ONE HOT COWBOY

697—SPUR-OF-THE-MOMENT MARRIAGE†† (#litres_trial_promo)

713—SNOWBOUND BRIDE* (#litres_trial_promo)

717—HOT CHOCOLATE HONEYMOON* (#litres_trial_promo)

721—SNOW BABY* (#litres_trial_promo)

747—MAKE ROOM FOR BABY

754—BABY’S FIRST CHRISTMAS

789—DR. COWBOY** (#litres_trial_promo)

793—WILDCAT COWBOY** (#litres_trial_promo)

797—A COWBOY’S WOMAN** (#litres_trial_promo)

801—A COWBOY KIND OF DADDY** (#litres_trial_promo)

837—THE BRIDE SAID, “I DID?”† (#litres_trial_promo)

841—THE BRIDE SAID, “FINALLY!”† (#litres_trial_promo)

Dear Reader,

The fictional town of Laramie, Texas, exemplifies everything I know and love about the state. The people are warm and friendly and helpful as can be, their desires bold, their dreams big. It’s a place where opportunity is limitless and people are encouraged to live and enjoy life to the fullest.

So much so that I knew when I started writing the books about John and Lilah McCabe and their four sons that I'd also write another series set in Laramie. But this one would be about a family of four sisters who, like the McCabes, find the love that has eluded them in Laramie.

Look for the first two books about the Lockharts in August and September 2000. The third and fourth books will be published in February and March 2001.

In the midst of all this, I am also writing a bigger, more in-depth story about Sam McCabe, John and Lilah McCabe’s nephew. A widower with five lively boys, he returns to Laramie when his life soars out of control. TEXAS VOWS: A MCCABE FAMILY SAGA, will be published in March 2001.

I hope you enjoy them all as much as I enjoyed writing them.

Happy reading!

Cathy Gillen Thacker

Contents

Chapter One (#u8f1f4bda-c7a0-5755-8776-a3589a37ca16)

Chapter Two (#u4acaaf2a-3ab6-555c-9bf1-138e8dec4131)

Chapter Three (#u552e4a3a-853f-5ddf-b107-5a66f852fa69)

Chapter Four (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter One

“I need a favor. And I need it from you,” the low, distinctively male voice drawled.

As the velvety sound surrounded her, tingles of awareness slid down Jenna Lockhart’s spine. She knew that rich, familiar murmur. Unless she was hallucinating…The blood rushed hot through her veins. She turned slowly toward the door, telling herself all the while she had to be imagining it. That the romantic notion was prompted by the equally shocking elopement of her sister, Dani, and Beau Chamberlain several weeks before. Just because Dani had found the man of her dreams and married him, just because wedding fever was sweeping the town of Laramie, Texas, did not mean that the man of Jenna’s dreams would waltz back into her life on a moment’s notice. Did it?

Drawing a deep breath, Jenna lifted her eyes, curious to see who had entered her exclusive boutique just seconds before she closed for the day. And promptly felt her knees turn to jelly. Well over six years had passed since she had seen the man who had broken her heart all to pieces, but Jake Remington hadn’t changed a bit. Except, perhaps, to become even more handsome and self-assured. He was a good six inches taller than her five-foot-nine-inch frame, with a penchant for casual clothes, and an even more casual manner that belied his enormous wealth and good fortune.

“What are you doing here?” Jenna demanded.

Looking completely at ease with himself in the ultrafeminine surroundings, he circled around the one-of-a-kind wedding and evening dresses on display. Once at her side, he tipped back his black Stetson, revealing layers of thick jet-black hair. As he scanned her from head to toe, reluctant pleasure tugged at the corners of his lips. “I wanted to congratulate you on your success.” Jake lifted his glance back to her eyes. “Your clothing designs have been in the news all month. Dani created quite a stir when she wore one of your dresses to the premiere of Beau Chamberlain’s new movie. Reportedly, every starlet in Hollywood now wants one of your originals.”

That was true. Due to her growing success, Jenna was booked solid with appointments. She was taking the time between now and then to prepare for the onslaught. And perhaps look at hiring someone besides Raelynn to help her in the shop. But not wanting to disclose all that to Jake, Jenna merely shrugged and returned his steady glance, albeit with a lot less admiration. “You’ve done very well for yourself. I hear J&R Industries is a multimillion-dollar conglomerate.”

Jake pushed back the edges of his black sport coat, and placed his hands on his waist. His sexy grin widened. “You’ve kept up.”

Jenna turned away, trying hard not to notice how taut and trim his midriff was beneath his olive-green shirt and snug black jeans. “Hard not to, if you read the business pages of all the major Texas newspapers—and I do.”