the Dallas area, but we have Crawford relatives here in Rust Creek Falls. We’re putting down roots in your fine community.”
“Welcome to town, Max.” Viv cut to the point. “How can we help you?”
“I have an important job that needs doing. And, Vivienne, I know you are the one to tackle it.”
“Well, if it’s a wedding you’re after, you’ve come to the right place. I take it you’re the groom?”
Max threw back his silver head and let out a booming laugh. “Sorry, Viv. Not me. I’ve had enough of wedded bliss to last me three lifetimes. But my boys are another story. I’ve got six, each one better lookin’ than the one before. Goodhearted, my boys, if a bit skittish on the subject of love and marriage. As we speak, all six are single.” He shook a finger. “You ask me, that goes against the laws of God and man. It’s about time my boys settled down.”
Caroline wore a puzzled frown. “So, then, what you’re saying is that all six of your sons are engaged?”
Max let out a low, rueful chuckle. “No, pretty lady. What I’m saying is that my boys need brides. And, Viv, that’s where you come in. I want you and the lovely Caroline here to find each of my boys the perfect woman to marry—for a price, of course. A very nice price.”
A silence followed. A long one. Sarah, who’d moved back from the worktable to let the wedding planners do their stuff, couldn’t help wondering if maybe Max Crawford was a few bucking broncs short of a rodeo. And judging by their carefully neutral expressions, Viv and Caroline also had their doubts.
However, the train depot roofs weren’t going to replace themselves. Viv needed a large infusion of cash, stat. And if Max was for real, cash was exactly what he offered—too bad he was ordering up services Caroline and Viv didn’t provide.
“But, Max,” Viv said patiently, “we plan weddings. We aren’t matchmakers.”
“And why not? Matchmaking is an honest, time-honored practice. A lucrative one, too—at least it will be for you, with me as your client.”
Viv slowly shook her head. “I’m so sorry. But we just don’t—”
“A million,” Max cut in, bringing a trio of stunned gasps from Viv, Caroline and Sarah, too. Max nodded at Viv. “You heard me right. A million dollars. You find my boys wives and the money is yours.”
“Max.” Viv let out a weak laugh. “That’s just crazy.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. I’ve made my fortune thinking outside the box. And that makes me living, breathing proof that anything can be achieved if you’re willing to make your own rules.”
Sarah took another step back from the worktable. She couldn’t have disagreed more. Rules mattered. And as much as she would like for Max to be the solution to Viv’s money troubles, fast-talking men were dangerous. Sarah had learned that sad lesson the hard way.
Viv wasn’t going for it, either. “Are you asking us to set up six arranged marriages? No. Definitely not. Caroline and I could never do that.”
“Arranged?” Max huffed out a breath. “No way. My boys would never go for that. They’ll choose their own brides. All I’m asking is that you find the perfect woman for each of them.”
“Right,” Viv scoffed. “Easy peasy.”
“Love isn’t something you can force.” Caroline added her quiet voice to Viv’s mocking one. “It really does have to develop naturally and—”
“Caroline, darlin’.” Max patted her shoulder. “I couldn’t agree with you more. We’re on the same page. You won’t be arranging anything. You won’t need to. I’ve heard all about Rust Creek Falls. Love is everywhere you turn around here and the percentage of pretty women is satisfyingly high. You set my boys up and they are bound to fall.”
Sarah took another step back. How could they believe a word the guy said? He talked too fast and he’d openly admitted that he made his own rules.
As if he’d sensed her retreat, the big man shifted his glance to Sarah. “So how ’bout you, darlin’?”
Sarah straightened her shoulders and hitched up her chin. “What about me?”
“Are you looking for the right guy to marry?”
She was looking for anything but. “Excuse me? You want to marry me off to one of your sons?”
“Sweet, sweet Sarah, just say yes.” Max actually winked at her. “You won’t regret it.”
“Sorry, but I’m not on the, um, market.”
“Got a sweetheart already, then?”
“No. I’m simply not interested.”
Max heaved a big sigh. “That’s a crying shame, and I mean that sincerely. You’re a beautiful woman with a sharp brain, I can tell. You’d be just perfect for—”
“Dad. What are you up to now?” At the sound of another commanding male voice, Sarah whirled toward the open door.
“Patience, Logan,” Max replied. “Just give your old man a few minutes more.”
“They plan weddings here, Dad. You don’t have a fiancée, so you don’t need a wedding. Xander and I are getting tired of waiting in the truck.”
Sarah tried not to stare. But really, who could blame her? The cowboy in the doorway was hot—tall and lean, with thick brown hair and a mouth that would have just about any girl thinking of long, scorching kisses.
At the moment, though, that gorgeous mouth was scowling at Max. “What’s going on here?”
As he spoke, another fine-looking cowboy entered behind him. The second guy said, “Whatever you think you’re pulling, Dad—don’t.”
Max only laughed. “Come on over here, boys. Let me introduce you to Viv, Caroline and Sarah.” His big white teeth gleamed as his smile stretched wide again. “What did I tell you, ladies? Meet my oldest son, Logan, and third-born, Xander.”
The first cowboy, Logan, flicked a glance in Sarah’s direction—and froze. Now he was staring right at her. “Hello, Sarah,” he said low. Intimately. As though they were the only two people in the room.
And then he was on the move again, coming straight for her. He stopped a foot away, right up in her space. The breath fled her lungs. The guy was even hotter up close. It should be illegal to have eyes so blue.
With a little shiver of unwelcome delight, she took his offered hand. His big, warm fingers engulfed hers. More shivers skittered up her arm.
Absurd. Sarah Turner had no time for the shivers. Not anymore. No way was she letting a pair of bedroom eyes lead her astray again.
But Logan wasn’t making it easy for her. He stared at her like she was the most beautiful creature he’d ever seen.
Why? She so didn’t get it. She was not at her best and hadn’t been for way too long now.
