Reprint of the original, first published in 1871.

She’s a day late and a dollar short… Lia Howard Pogue is flat broke and on the run. Her only hope for a new start is to rely on the kindness of strangers. One in particular—the rough and tough ex-Army Ranger who’s all hard muscle and soft heart. Jake Robbin is more than ready to put his wild youth behind him and settle down. If only he could skip the hassle of courtship and babies and messy emotions. What better time for Lia and her three kids to land on his doorstep! Seems marriage would solve both their problems. Until Lia’s ex shows up…and reminds her she could be making the same mistake all over again. NORTH COUNTRY STORIES This isn’t the end of the earth, but you can see it from here. Welcome back to Alouette, Michigan, the wonderful setting for Carrie Alexander’s RITA© Award-nominated story, A Family Christmas

EVERYTHING HE WANTED. AND MORE THAN HE BARGAINED FOR. Innocent yet enticing, Isadora Chavez mesmerized tycoon Harrison Stone like no woman ever had. In fact, she nearly brought the sought-after bachelor to his knees. And that's when she made her shocking proposal: marry her—for one year—to secure her custody of her orphaned brother. Or else. Overnight, Harrison became a husband and father figure. But just who was his mysterious wife? A desperate big sister? Or a beautiful blackmailer with money on her mind? If it took twelve months, Harrison vowed to find out. He'd make Isadora wholly his. Or else.

SU CASA…MI CASA Maura Wells thought she'd finally found a home for her uprooted family on a sprawling Texas ranch. Until an intruder barged in—all six-foot-plus, heart-stealing man—and claimed her new home actually belonged to him… A man in search of his heritage, Wyatt Gentry arrived at the Rocking R in the dead of the night only to find an alluring interloper pointing a rifle at him! Wyatt had no choice but to offer to share his digs with the head-turning blonde and her children. But having them around was fast turning the temporary arrangement into a permanent affair…and a crusty Lone Star bachelor into a family man.

A fresh start…? Tess Laing has suffered more heartbreak than most. So moving to Bellaroo Creek with her little orphaned niece and nephew is the start of a new life. Meeting tall, dark and deliciously handsome Cameron Manning starts an unexpected flutter in her heart… A new family! Cam is intrigued by Tess, and quickly becomes entangled in their lives when little Ty gets a clear case of hero-worship! They're the family he always dreamed of having himself—until the day a betrayal wiped his hopes in an instant. Perhaps now is the time to confront the past and discover a ready-made family is the key to this tortured cattleman finding a happy future…

Thunder Canyon Nugget Invasion of the Baby Mavericks! What could be more of a handful than a babbling, bouncing baby? How about two? Sexy single dad Clayton Traub already has a full plate with adorable six-month-old Bennett. But now tipsters tell us Clay's got a new main squeeze in Antonia Wright. Yes, that Antonia—feisty, independent and eight months pregnant! Antonia knows better than to fall for a wrangler bunking at her boardinghouse—particularly in her condition. But how can she resist Clay's magnetism when he's living so close? Never underestimate the power of a Traub, big or small. Stay tuned, rough riders, and see if the cowboy daddy can lasso Toni's heart!

A Marriage of Necessity Gentlemen don't court feisty straight shooters like JoBeth McCoy. Just as she's resigned to a lifetime alone, a misunderstanding forces the spunky telegraph operator into a marriage of convenience. Wedding the town's handsome new marshal offers JoBeth a chance at motherhood, caring for the orphaned little girl she's come to love. Garrett Cain will lose guardianship of his niece, Cora, if he stays single, but he knows no woman could accept the secrets he's hidden about his past. The lawman can't jeopardize Cora's future by admitting the truth. Yet when unexpected danger in the small town threatens to expose Garrett's long-buried secret, only a leap of faith can turn a makeshift union into a real family.

Brought together by grief… When her brother is killed in action in Afghanistan, Stephanie (Stevie) finds herself unexpectedly thrown into the role of sole guardian of her two young nephews. Determined to do the best she can for them, Stevie enters a marriage of convenience with her brother’s best friend. After all, she has known Chase for years and knows that he will provide for and protect them as if they were a real family. It doesn’t matter that she had always hoped for more with Chase, for her nephews, she will put her own dreams on hold, the same way her brother had when they themselves had been orphaned too young. Will the weight of guilt tear them apart… There was nothing that Chase would not do for Kyle. Kids when they first met, they had spent more time together than apart. Marrying Stevie was a no-brainer. She and the boys needed a stable home, medical insurance, and familiar faces to help them heal, all benefits that Chase could provide. The fact that it was Chase’s fault that Kyle was gone was his own personal cross to bear. One that he was determined no one else should ever find out about. Or will faith lead them to forgiveness and love? As Stevie and Chase begin blending their lives together, helping the boys through the first year without their beloved daddy, they begin to see each other, and themselves, in a different light. When Stevie learns the truth of her brother’s death, will she be able to forgive Chase, and claim the happiness they both deserve, or will she lose him forever?

Don’t miss these heartwarming stories from fan favorite author Sherri Shackelford! The Marshal’s Ready-Made Family Gentlemen don’t court feisty straight-shooters like JoBeth McCoy. Just as she’s resigned to a lifetime alone, a misunderstanding forces the spunky telegraph operator into a marriage of convenience. Wedding the town’s handsome new marshal offers JoBeth a chance at motherhood, caring for the orphaned little girl she’s come to love. Garrett Cain will lose guardianship of his niece, Cora, if he stays single, but he knows no woman could accept the secrets he’s hidden about his past. The lawman can’t jeopardize Cora’s future by admitting the truth. Yet when unexpected danger in the small town threatens to expose Garrett’s long-buried secret, only a leap of faith can turn a makeshift union into a real family. The Cattleman Meets His Match Cowboy John Elder needs a replacement crew of cattle hands to drive his longhorns to Kansas--he just never figured they’d be wearing petticoats. Traveling with Moira O’Mara and the orphan girls in her care is a mutually beneficial arrangement. Yet despite Moira’s declaration of independence, the feisty beauty evokes John’s every masculine instinct to protect, defend…marry? Moira was grateful for John’s help when he rescued her—and she couldn’t deny that his calm, in control matter proves comforting. But she was determined not to let anything get in the way of her plans to search for her long-lost brother at journey’s end. However, could John show her a new future—one perfect for them to share?