Book picks similar to
To Dare a Rogue by Tarah Scott
anthology
historical-romance
available
ebooks
God’s Gift to Love Again
Chloe Carley - 2020
Will they put their trust in God?Innocent - Romantic - Mighty!Amie Davison is a kind-hearted, beautiful woman that would do anything to protect the children at the church shelter. Even though recently orphaned, Amie chooses to see the best in people, although people with dark secrets surround her. Despite her innocent character, she will face everyone threatening the church and stand by the side of anyone that would help it. Like the new deputy. How will her faith guide her through this new challenge?Josh Morgan is a reserved and repentant deputy. He is grateful for the opportunity he was given to turn his life around, and he would do anything to prevent going back to a life of crime. But now that he is starting to realize that people are not who they claim to be, he will have to make a choice. Will he look after the people that need him the most, even if that means losing everything?When the truth about Amie’s father comes to light, she will need him to fight beside her. How can Amie and Josh save the church and revenge the murder of her father while safeguarding their love?"God’s Gift to Love Again" is a stand-alone Christian Historical Romance Novel with no cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.
Blackhaven Brides
Mary Lancaster - 2019
This series is set in a newly fashionable spa town on the beautiful Cumbrian coast, where the great and the bad of visiting Regency society turn local life upside down. Passion, mystery, and scandal continue to follow the citizens of this wealthy enclave, now with an entire new group of social misfits. Regency Historical Romance has never been so adventurous - or so exciting! This set includes: The Wicked Marquis - The lady meets her match... and he's completely ineligible. The Wicked Governess - Can a governess teach a damaged hero? The Wicked Spy - Can her enemy melt her cold heart? The Wicked Gypsy - An old Blackhaven tragedy merges with a new quarrel. Read for FREE in Kindle Unlimited! Books in the Blackhaven Series: The Wicked Baron The Wicked Lady The Wicked Rebel The Wicked Husband The Wicked Marquis The Wicked Governess The Wicked Spy The Wicked Gypsy The Wicked Wife Blackhaven Brides set, Books 1 - 4 Blackhaven Brides set, Books 5 - 8
A Duke's Desire: An Anthology
Erica RidleyMeara Platt - 2017
From Medieval Scotland to Regency England and even America, see how are these dukes are tamed and the lovely ladies that discover A Duke's Desire.The Duke's Accidental Wife by Erica Ridley: Miss Katherine Ross keeps clashing with the insufferably emotionless Duke of Ravenwood. She's convinced his heart is ice — until she touches that chiseled chest for herself. One lapse in judgment is all it takes to turn both their lives topsy-turvy...The Forbidden Duke by Darcy Burke: A decade ago, Titus St. John’s idle roguery brought about the ruin of Eleanor Lockhart—and his self-imposed isolation. Now she’s back, and she needs his help. But by “saving” her, the Forbidden Duke may ruin her life all over again.The Dangerous Duke of Dinnisfree by Julie Johnstone: Justin Holleman, the Duke of Dinnisfree, protects his country, king, and heart with classic, cold calculation until the day he’s forced to seek help with a dangerous mission from the fiery Miss Arabella Cartwright who upends his ordered world and entices him at every turn. Arabella learned long ago to count only on herself, but when she becomes a pawn in a political intrigue, she must rely on Justin, but is he her enemy or her ally.Love with an Improper Stranger by Barbara Devlin: When notoriously hotheaded Nautionnier Knight Blake Elliott, fifth Duke of Rylan, volunteers for a mission, his magnanimous gesture does not include acting as nanny to a couple of blushing sisters. After Lenore suffers a wicked bout of seasickness, Blake nurses her back to health but loses his heart in the process. What happens when Blake alters his course and sets sail for an altogether delectable, more permanent destination?Taming a Duke's Reckless Heart by Tammy Andresen: Piper Baker must marry but the only man she wants, an English duke who has traveled to America to replenish his fortune, is the one she can't have.Rapunzelle by Caroline Lee: When a handsome stranger arrives in town trying to solve a fifteen-year-old mystery, even the most over-protected heroine knows how to let down her hair... An old-west fairy tale from the bestselling Everland Ever After series.Scandalous Endeavors by Amanda Mariel: Lady Amelia’s willing to create a scandal to stay in her beloved England. A Scottish duke ignites her passion, but will she abandon her endeavor for love?The Duke's Fiery Bride by Hildie McQueen: The last thing Gavin Mackinnon, the Duke of Selkirk expects is marriage to a rebellious wildling like her. Or is Beatrice Fingnon exactly what he needs?Never Dare a Duke by Meara Platt: Frances Cameron ought to be spending the month planning her wedding, but when a casual toast on the night of her betrothal escalates into a battle of the sexes, she finds herself obligated on a dare to spend the next thirty days working closely with the handsome and powerful Duke of Kintyre. In winning the dare, will she also lose her heart to the duke?
A Christmas She'll Remember
Mimi Barbour - 2018
But what really lights their hearts are the memories of a special romance. In these compelling tales shared with you by NYT & USA Today best-selling authors you’ll be thrilled to the core when reading their passionate love stories - SEVEN times over. Each story shares with you - A Christmas She'll Remember. Loveable Christmas Angel by Mimi Barbour - Aloha! Sweet romance, lovable angel, and a prickly little boy’s Christmas wish! "a warm and touching story just right for the holiday season. Enjoy!"--Amazon Reviewer Crimson Holiday by Patricia Rosemoor - Will this be the Christmas of her daydreams or of her nightmares? "a great Christmas story that is laced with suspense and romance"--Amazon Reviewer Nobody's Cinderella by Joan Reeves - This Christmas Cinderella should be careful what she wishes for! "This was a fun story and I highly recommend it. I'm a real fan of Ms. Reeves writing."--Caroline Clemmons Two Hearts Find Christmas (Two Hearts Wounded Warrior Romance Book 5) by Tamara Ferguson - Will two lonely hearts find Christmas when love’s magic works its spell? "Wow. Just wow! How’s that for a review? Author Tamara Ferguson has done an absolutely wonderful job in creating characters that her readers will relate to, care about"—Tracy Slowiak for Readers’ Favorite The Christmas Sparkle Test by Alicia Street - Star-crossed sweethearts get a second chance, but will the magic of Christmas be enough to rekindle their love despite the secrets of the past? "“Warmed my heart and had me believing in the magic of Christmas again!”--Reader review One to Keep by Ev Bishop - Can love tempt them to commit? Maybe. If they’re brave enough . . . "This is the perfect cosy, fireside read for a winter's night--then you can enjoy it all over again next winter, because this book is 'one to keep'"--Amazon Reviewer Christmas Surprise - Santa's Boots Under Her Bed by Stephanie Queen - Sometimes a surprise can change your life. Margo & George are about to find out this Christmas how true that is... “A refreshing and fun romance story that swept my off my feet.”—I Just Wanna Sit Here and Read
Laced By Love
Linda Carroll-Bradd - 2016
The day after the troupe arrives in tiny Morgan’s Crossing, the manager takes all the money and leaves town. By opening a dressmaker shop, Cinnia hopes to make the home she’s always wanted, but Nola, the older sister who has made the decisions for the orphaned sisters, disagrees. Leather worker Nicolai Andrusha is living in hiding as Nic Andrews until the patent on his family’s tanning process is approved. Although he’s under a mandate to keep a low profile, he’s intrigued by the red-haired performer. Controversy arises when miners claim they paid the manager for private appointments with the female performers. Will Nicolai defy his family obligation to help the stranded beauty who has caught his eye?
A Lord's Kiss
Mary LancasterKyAnn Waters - 2020
Until the most inappropriate man in London asks her to dance. After a scandalous waltz that sets the gossips’ tongues wagging, the next morning, the man shows up in her family’s drawing room and announces his intentions to court her. Captain Ethan Dorrill dresses like a pirate, irritates her to the point of madness, and kisses like her heart’s desire.Snow Queen Mary LancasterThey call her the Snow Queen…for no man can thaw her frozen heart.Lady Alba Snowden lost her first love when she was seventeen. Since then, no man has touched her heart – until the summer she encounters wild, fun-loving Russian Prince Yuri Volkov, who is visiting London with the Tsar.The Highlander’s Unexpected Bride Tarah Scott & KyAnn WatersShe intended to stop a scandal…not become one.Lady Alison has a penchant for mischief. How else could she end up in the bedchamber of the notorious rake Viscount Weston? She expected to rescue her foolish cousin, instead she finds herself engaged…and embroiled in the devious exploits of sex slave traders.Dreaming of a Gentleman Summer HanfordMiss Rebecca Wycliff knows her place in the world, that of a poor relation beholden to her relatives for any scrap they care to award her. Still, she holds a secret dream for more, one that would see her tossed out on the streets, penniless, should her wish be uncovered.Not Another Nob Anabelle AndersFamily rivalries are no match for love.Neither is who they say they are. He thinks she’s a lady and she thinks he’s a gentleman. Even so, the seeds of romance are planted when they meet over a broken carriage and a small dog.Lord Keeper Tarah ScottA midnight race for freedom leads Victoria Hockley, the Countess of Lansbury, to a churchyard deep in the Scottish Highlands. But not even hallowed ground can save her from the devil who’s pursued her from England, or from the furious Scot who swears to protect her.The Maid of Inverness Rose FairbanksDespite Douglas Randolph’s attempt to avoid Society and his responsibility as the future Duke of Inverness, news he is has inherited the dukedom reaches him deep in the Highland hills of Scotland. That problem pales into comparison to the wager he makes with the man known as The Marriage Maker. Sir Stirling James swears he can find suitable husbands for four ladies directly descendant from Robert the Bruce. Little does Douglas know he is to be the first groom.One Last Promise Amy CorwinLove defies all obstacles to unite childhood friends...Bespectacled and plain compared to her two sisters, Martha Stainton cherishes no expectations, except, perhaps, to one day become a doting aunt. After the death of their beloved father, Martha and her two sisters must leave their home and become dependents of their aunt in London.Marrying the Belle of Edinburgh Lisa BoeroA foul murder, a beautiful widow, and one man who will risk everything for love.On a dark and lonely road, a masked gunman ends the life of the dashing Lord Carlyle. Distraught but determined, Helena, the bewitching Belle of Edinburgh, reenters London’s glittering society bent on tracking down her husband’s murderer.Lady Victoria’s Mistake Amy CorwinA dangerous rogue or a businesslike gentleman—what’s a lady to do?Lady Victoria’s parents have issued an ultimatum: marry or remain a spinster—forever. They have even prepared a marriage list of four eligible bachelors. The only problem is that none of them makes her pulse race. No one does, until she meets John Archer, a rogue her parents have forbidden her to see again.
To Woo an Heiress Boxed Set
Lindsay Randall - 2015
Includes: Lady Lissa's Liaison: Too many suitors hungering her newly-acquired inheritance, Lady Lissa Lovington plants a devious rumor: she's had a liaison with the notorious Earl of Wylde. The rumor works like a charm, until the mercurial Lord Wylde returns to turn the tables. Miss Marcie's Mischief: After escaping Mistress Cheltenham's School for Young Ladies on the eve of Saint Valentine's Day, heiress Marcie Darlington is nearly run down by the London Mail Coach, commandeered by the Marquis of Sherringham. Both are trying to escape a scheming Cupid. Neither will succeed. A Dangerous Courtship: Traveling to the Yorkshire moors by horseback to investigate another of her naïve friends' suitors, Veronica is set upon by a pack of wild dogs—and rescued by a handsome stranger who also seems on the brink of madness. Reviews: "Ms. Randall displays a wonderful talent for writing humor." ~Rendezvous To Woo an Heiress, in series order Lady Lissa's Liaison Miss Marcie's Mischief A Dangerous Courtship Miss Meredith's Marriage Also by Lindsay Randall Rescued by a Cowboy Slow Dance with a Cowboy For Love of a Princess Meet Lindsay Randall By day, Lindsay is a development writer for a private university. By night, she pursues her passion—writing romance. She's written twelve novels and has received a Reviewers Choice Award from RT BookReviews.
Warriors of Odin: Six Viking Romances
Kathryn Le Veque - 2017
Welcome to Warriors of Odin, a collection of six fabulous Viking tales from some of the top authors in historical romance. Visit a world where the men from the north ride the waves in search of conquest, passion, and power. This bundle includes: Kingdom by the Sea by Kathryn Le Veque: A Viking raider and a warrior princess square off in this exciting novella of king's gold, tall tales, romance, and reincarnation. The Shipwreck by Glynnis Campbell: A Norse marauder ends up shipwrecked and at the mercy of a Pictish warrior maid with a grudge against Vikings and a little girl in need of a father. The Rover Defiant by Anna Markland: Torstein's bravery has earned him his freedom, but the Viking nobility will never forgive or forget he was once a slave. The high-born woman he loves has too much pride to give herself to a former thrall. Aegir's Daughter by Emma Prince: Ulfarr believes only the sea can quench his thirst for adventure—until he meets the mysterious Bára, who heats his blood like no other. When an enemy from his past seeks to destroy him, Ulfarr must turn to Bára for help, and together, they set out on their greatest adventure yet. Love's Fury by Violetta Rand: Duty, passion, revenge, and seduction create the spellbinding tale of Konal the Red and his conquest, Silvia. Rise of a Viking by Sky Purington: Hearts are tested and lives forever changed when a modern-day woman is swept back in time to tenth-century Scandinavia. Now a Viking set to inherit the throne must battle a powerful enemy to protect not only her but his people. Enjoy this collection for a limited time!
The Isle of Mull Series Collection
Lily Baldwin - 2015
Who will protect her from herself?Shoney's lightning speed with a bow captures Ronan by surprise, and their chance meeting ends with him lying unconscious at the bottom of a ravine.When he awakens, he cannot rid his mind of her startling beauty, her valor, or the secret fear he glimpsed in her steel eyes. He vows to find her, but as the mysteries of her identity unfold, his courage and heart are tested as never before.Highland Thunder, Book 2A STORM IS COMING...Although she faces tragic loss, Brenna will never succumb to grief or fear, nor will she surrender to the one man she despises--the very man who now has the power to control her destiny. Like the storms that rage unchecked over the moors, her fury is about to be unleashed.A HIDDEN LOVE...He does not look at her or speak to her, and most importantly, he does not touch her. These are the rules Duncan set for himself long ago to ensure his affection for his best friend's wife remained undetected. But under the weight of a land besieged by war, the walls he erected to shield his heart crumble.If he can earn her trust, the one woman he has always loved may at last be his. But first he must save what he cherishes most from a nightmare of dark secrets.To Love a Warrior, Book 3Destinies unfold. Secrets are revealed. The Isle of Mull will be forever changed.Half Highlander, half Viking, Garik MacKinnon was not born on the Scottish Isle of Mull, but fostered there in his youth. Now, he leaves behind his home, once more bound for Mull, to join the MacKinnon warriors as they answer Robert the Bruce's call to arms. He is ready for battle, eager to fight for Scotland's freedom. What he is not prepared for is his encounter with Nellore, a shield maiden from Mull, whose allure defies all reason.Nellore has the strength and skill of a warrior but the heart of a woman. When the men are called away to war Nellore must aid those left behind to safeguard their village against attacks from the MacLeans--a feuding clan to the south. She understands her duty to her clan. She is ready to take up arms against the enemy if need be. What she is not ready for is the ache that fills her heart when war pulls Garik from her side.Desire ignites and battles are waged as both Nellore and Garik learn what it means to love a warrior.
The Guardian Angel
Kay Seeley - 2017
Robert can’t speak. He can’t tell her what makes him happy or sad. Nell has to work that out for herself. Not everyone is happy about Robert’s existence. Can Nell save him from a desolate future, secure his inheritance and ensure he takes his rightful place in society? A love story.
Montana Mail Order Brides
Charity Phillips - 2016
Haunted by memories of those she cared so dearly for, she soon longs to escape Providence in the hope that doing so will allow her to heal and feel whole once again. While browsing through the Providence Daily Post, she happens upon a series of ads placed by men from Montana who seek brides to join them on the new Frontier. All of the ads quickly begin to sound the same when suddenly, one stands out. Though skeptical, she decides to muster the courage to respond to a man named Mr. Adam Black who seeks an intelligent woman, not just a pleasant woman to keep his home tidy. Upon her arrival, Madeline meets the dashing Mr. Black and is quickly swept off her feet when he gives her a tour of his lavish home and all that lies within. Her hopes are quickly dashed, however, when he reveals to her that in truth, he’s only really looking to settle down to please his father, hoping to continue living his bachelor’s lifestyle. Although Madeline agrees to go along with Mr. Black’s peculiar arrangement, she can’t help but feel the palpable chemistry between them. Will Madeline settle for a picture perfect, yet hollow marriage arrangement, or does Mr. Black share the same feelings, turning her daydreams into a real life fairy tale? Book 2: Montana Mail Order Bride Clara: In 1890, New York City is no place for a woman alone, and that is exactly what young Clara has become. As she struggles to cope with the death of her only living relative, she is also faced with her own set of predicaments. Now, as she attempts to find work in the newspaper, she finds the advertisement of William Dean. William is a rugged man, used to the desolate life of the Frontier, and he’s made a place for himself in Montana--but his success means nothing without the tender warmth of a wife. When Clara notices his ad seeking a marriageable prospect, she responds and their worlds collide. Book 3: Montana Mail Order Bride Emma: When Emma marries her sweet husband James, she thinks she will finally get her happily ever after. But after eight happy years of marriage, Emma is forced to let her dear James fall prey to deathly clutches of a horrible illness. All she has left now is her dearest twelve year old daughter, Margaret. Both take jobs as seamstresses in a factory downtown, but their meager wages just aren’t enough for the two to get by. Emma is forced to admit that she needs the help of another husband, so when a matrimonial ad appears in the paper from a Frontier man, Emma takes a risk and heads to Montana with Margaret and Frederick, a long-time dear friend of her late husband’s who insists on accompanying the ladies as their chaperone. Book 4: Montana Mail Order Bride Julia: When a boy whom Julia has been charged to take care of dies, Julia is left searching for her next path in life. Her choices are limited, as she is not a wealthy woman nor is she married, and she fears that she must take the charity of her only living relative.
Kiss Me Cowboy: A Summer Box Set
Tessa Layne - 2017
All Proceeds go to Heroes & Horses - Grab your copy and help an American Hero today! Prairie Heat (Cowboys of the Flint Hills #1) Tessa Layne Will an Alpha Cowboy find true love on the range in this sexy, small-town western? Blake Sinclaire will do anything to reclaim his family’s stolen land, including talking sexy scientist Maddie Hansen into a fake engagement. As he falls for her, will he risk losing everything when long kept secrets come to light? Forever a Soldier (Always a Cowboy #1) Genevieve Turner Solider Hank Moreno has finally returned home from combat, ready to lick his wounds in solitude. But when beautiful historian Lale Pehlivan crashes into his life in search of an old family mystery, will their hearts survive the upheaval? Return to Love (Willow Valley #1) Christine Kingsley Cassie Powell is perfectly happy with her small town life in Willow Valley until her old crush, Jack Martin swaggers back into town. As things heat up with Jack, secrets she's worked too hard to keep threaten to bring it all tumbling down around her. Secret Heart (Hearts of Three Rivers: The Montgomerys #1) Amity Lassiter Former rodeo star Nate Montgomery has returned home to Three Rivers to nurse his wounds and come to terms with his new life. Perpetual girl from the wrong side of the tracks Layla Sullivan's been keeping a secret for nearly two years that's about to turn his world upside down...if they can keep the sins of their past from destroying it. Accounting for Love (Long Valley #1) Erin Wright When Stetson Miller inherits his father’s farm in Idaho, he’s too focused on crops and yields to pay attention to the financial side of things. The next thing he knows, he’s got a stack of unpaid bills, the bank is threatening to foreclose … and the auditor who’s come to examine his accounts is the sexiest thing he’s ever laid eyes on. The sparks between them fly even faster when the road washes out and Jennifer has to spend the night on the farm. But passion alone won’t pay the bills. Can Jennifer find a way for Stetson to save his farm? And if she can’t, will he ever forgive her? Mountain Angel (Northstar Angels #1) Suzie O’Connell A strong-willed woman, a heart-weary deputy, and a cozy mountain cabin. What could possibly go wrong… or right? Aelissm Davis has finally returned home to Northstar, Montana - exhausted by fast-paced city life and shadowed by an obsessive friend. The last thing she needs is another complication, and sexy Deputy Pat O’Neil is definitely that. Still, there’s something irresistible about the haunted man, and as she gets her bearings again, a different kind of problem arises. When his “vacation” is over, will she be able to convince him to stay? AUTHOR QUESTIONS Q: What makes Kiss Me Cowboy special? Many of us write Military Heroes (or are planning to real soon!) in our western romances. While we guarantee happy endings for our heroes, we know that the men and women who serve our country often aren’t so lucky. Twenty-two veterans kill themselves each day.
Rogues Like It Hot
Tamara GillShereen Vedam - 2019
Enjoy a variety of heat levels from these rogues and the heroines that get them hot under the collar. Grab your copy for a bargain price or for FREE in Kindle Unlimited!Rogues Like It Hot includes:Act of Pardon by Sandra SookooA Marquess for Convenience by Biance BlythePrince of Rogues by Angelique ArmaeA Reversal of Fortune by Rose PearsonThe Scottish Governess by Arietta RichmondHer Gentleman Pirate by Tamara GillThe Duke's House Party Match by Kelly Anne BruceTo Capture Love by Shereen VedamSinful Deeds by Samantha Holt
Knights of Passion
Catherine Kean - 2016
As their forbidden love grows, will he be able to save her, or will the villains destroy all? PASSION IN THE BLOOD by Anna Markland - Dorianne falls in love with a wealthy Norman count, but Robert is the one man forbidden to her. Her family will stop at nothing to avenge a past wrong. AIDAN by Elizabeth Rose - Aidan MacKeefe trusts the wrong person when Effie MacDuff steals the stone from under him. One is willing to die to protect Scotland’s secret, while the other is willing to betray her country to save someone she loves. THE LADY AND THE FALCONER by Laurel O'Donnell He is a MYSTERIOUS FALCONER, intent on reclaiming what is rightfully his. She is the LADY of Castle Fulton, determined to keep her people safe from the siege that threatens them all. Can they overcome betrayal and vengeance to find healing love? ARUCARD by Barbara Devlin - It is the year of Our Lord 1307, and by papal decree, Templar Knight Arucard de Villiers is a hunted man. While the King of England is more than happy to offer exile and create a new Order to accommodate the famed warriors of the Crusades, such assistance comes with a price, but is the cost one Arucard is willing to pay? THE TAMING OF MAIRI MACKENZIE by Sue-Ellen Welfonder - The fate of a battle-weary warrior depends on a mysterious woman, but when they join forces, the passion that consumes them poses a greater threat: a forbidden love so powerful it could destroy them. A HIGHLAND KNIGHT TO REMEMBER by Amy Jarecki - When Sir Eoin witnesses Lady Helen’s dishonor, he’s infused with rage. But if Eoin helps the lady escape, he will break clan law. Will the gallant knight find the strength to mask his deepest desires and save the woman he’s always loved? About the Authors - Bestselling, award-winning novelist CATHERINE KEAN is a Kindle Unlimited All-Star author of medieval romances. Among other accolades, her books have won the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence and finaled in the National Readers' Choice Awards. Visit Catherine's website at catherinekean.com. ANNA MARKLAND is the author of over 25 medieval romances, an Amazon All-Star who consistently ranks in the top 100 historical fiction list. She is a fool for cats. Her hobbies are cryptic crosswords and genealogy. ELIZABETH ROSE is the author of over 50 books. She is an amazon top 100 bestseller and all-star, and writes medieval, paranormal, small town contemporary and western romance. She resides in the suburbs of Chicago and loves to garden. LAUREL O’DONNELL is a bestselling, award-winning author who finds time every day to bring her characters to life. Visit her at www.laurel-odonnell.com Bestselling, Amazon All-Star author BARBARA DEVLIN writes heartfelt historical romances that feature flawed heroes who may know how to seduce a woman but know nothing of marriage. USA Today bestselling author SUE-ELLEN WELFONDER loves Scotland, medieval history, Celtic legend and lore, the paranormal, and animals. She also writes as Allie Mackay and lives on Florida’s southwest coast with her husband and her muse, Snuggles the writer cat. AMY JARECKI adores Scottish historical romance, writing steamy edge-of-your-seat action and passion with rugged men and fascinating women who weave their paths through the eras of centuries past.
Loren's Hope
Jean L. Kuhnke - 2015
Loren is perceived as a child as thin as a rail with mud caked hair when Old Tom and his boys come across Thad Walters on their way to town. Rather than take the chance that Miss Pearl won't offer him enough money for a visit at Pearl's brothel, Old Tom decides to convince Thad to buy her. Thad knew that he would do everything in his power to get the child away from the men that had her tied behind their horse half dragging her to town. When he finally payed them enough to get four steak dinners and one roll in the hay for Old Tom, he took her to his ranch planning to take the child to the next town where she could be taken in by a good family. To his surprise, when she got all the mud off, he found her to be a beautiful woman, not a child at all.