THE PRESENT

In 1882, New York socialite Sharisse Hammond meekly accepts her father's order to marry Joel Parrington ... until she discovers that Joel and her younger sister are deeply in love. The only way for Sharisse to avoid a disastrous marriage, and her father's wrath, is to leave town for a while, posing as a mail-order bride, keeping her identity a secret. Of course, she has no intention of marrying roughbred Arizona rancher Lucas Holt, and she's certain he could never want a pampered society woman. Sharisse feels lucky that Lucas is willing to delay the marriage, but she isn't prepared for the way his kisses send her blood racing. Luke is charming and gentle most times, but frightening, cold, even cruel sometimes ... like his twin brother, Slade, who has more than once almost had his way with her. How can her body betray her so easily? How can it delight in such two very different men. Sharisse is terrified that Luke will discover who she really is, and that she's using him to bide time. She has yet to learn that Luke has his own dark secrets to hide, has no intention of ever marrying her.. and has been watching her every move with Slade.