Harlequin Historical #310: Western Rose

Sally Maguire, being a red-head is very stubborn and emotionally stunted. She wants to be the home-town school-teacher. She loves teaching and kids. And schoolmarms can not be married. Now comes the good part. Jake Bannister needs the acreage with the water on it to keep his ranch from going under to the drought. Wiley Thomas Maguire offers Jake a deal. Court and marry Sally and he will make the hundred acres and the water, a wedding present to them. He has no worries about his second daughter, Louisa but Sally seems to have a problem. She is afraid to grow up. Oh, there is a lot of carryings on between Jake, who suddenly finds Sally very attractive and Sally, who finds it very scary in the attraction she feels for Jake. She will not marry yet she has no compunctions in giving into her hormones. She doesn't consider the fact that she is "ruined". Very weird! Bullheaded, headstrong, and wilful - and not recognizing love when it bit her in the behind. Not until her sister opens her eyes and then Jake is engaged to Paula. What a mix-up! Suddenly at 32, Jackson Bannister is riding around late a night trying to rid himself of his obsession with the little red-haired wildcat. She refuses to marry him - and refuses to give up her teaching position. Her methods of teaching is also creating problems for Sally. Tom just wishes that Jake had compromised Sally - doesn't say what he would have done. Definitely Recommended --M despite her lapse in conscience!