A Battle of Wills
New Orleans aristocrat Lucian Beaumont wants only to sell his estranged grandfather’s property and escape the backwoods of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. But a stipulation in the will brings him head-to-head with a local beauty. Megan O’Malley and the town must have access to the house. For the first time in his life the commanding Lucian finds himself at an impasse.
Clearly the worldly gentleman doesn’t fit in Megan’s quaint Smoky Mountain town. But as she glimpses the man beneath the hardened veneer, she believes Lucian is here for a purpose. To heal his soul. And maybe, with Megan’s help, to heal his heart.
Lucian trusted no one.
If not for his wealth and name, they’d all be gone in a second. He’d learned that the hard way.
What about Megan? The beauty seemed to radiate goodness. He could almost believe she truly cared about helping this town. Was it real? Or a clever act designed to make him lower his guard?
He resented this present circumstance that was beyond his control. As empty as his life in New Orleans had become, it was familiar.
Frustration surged. If not for this young lady, he would’ve already put the house up for sale and be out of this backwoods town.
“Let me make myself clear, Miss O’Malley. I plan to do everything possible to find a way around that stipulation.”
Anger flashed in her eyes. “And let me assure you, Mr. Beaumont, I will do everything I can to fight you.”
He blew out an aggravated breath. He was beginning to wish he’d never heard of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. And Miss Megan O’Malley.
KAREN KIRST
was born and raised in East Tennessee near the Great Smoky Mountains. A lifelong lover of books, it wasn’t until after college that she had the grand idea to write one herself. Now she divides her time between being a wife, homeschooling mom and romance writer. Her favorite pastimes are reading, visiting tearooms and watching romantic comedies.
His Mountain Miss
Karen Kirst
I will turn their mourning into gladness;
I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.
—Jeremiah 31:13
To my parents-in-law, Pavel and Julie Turon, who have brought such joy into my life.
I’m blessed to know you both. I love you!
A big thank-you to my editor, Emily Rodmell, for all her hard work and dedication.
This series wouldn’t be possible without you!
Contents
Chapter One
May 1881
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
“Who are you, and what are you doing in my house?”
Jolted out of her concentration, Megan O’Malley dropped the books she was holding, and they thumped to the gleaming wood floor. She twisted around to face the unexpected visitor whose voice she didn’t recognize. Odd, she hadn’t heard the doorbell. Mrs. Calhoun normally announced company.
The stranger standing in the parlor’s wide entryway was definitely not a local. Even dressed in their Sunday best, the men of Gatlinburg couldn’t come close to imitating this man’s elegance. Glossy black Hessian boots encased his feet and calves. Muscular thighs stretched the dove-gray trousers he wore taut, and underneath his black frock coat, the silver-and-black paisley brocade vest hugged a firm chest. The snowy white, expertly arranged cravat at his throat resembled a work of art.
Nothing
