"You need this money badly, don't you," she asked him.

He nodded slowly, his eyes swallowing her up in their dark, honest depths.  Their bodies stood close together, and for a moment she wondered how it would feel to put her arms around his waist and simply rest against his strength.

"Bad enough to put up with terrible cooking and hormonal mood swings."

A ghost of a smile tipped the corners of his lips.  "Yes."

She wondered how long he'd lived here alone, and why.  Why hadn't he married yet?  He certainly wasn't lacking in the looks department.  In fact, she was constantly having to remind herself to be practical which was hard considering she was already fighting attraction. She mentally added things up: his stellar manners, his consideration, his understanding and lack of a quick temper.  He was the kind of man she thought she could trust, and more than anything that counted for a lot.  Even knowing him a short few days, she sensed his integrity and strength.  He would keep to any bargain they made.

"I'll probably regret this."

His hand lifted to cup her chin gently.  "I sincerely hope not."  Her eyes strayed to his lips, serious now but shaped so that she couldn't help but think of kissing him. 

"It's not forever, Alex.  But you need to decide if you can trust me.  You need to take that leap of faith."

"After a few days?  No one in their right mind would make such a decision," she breathed, feeling the tug between them again. 

"My great-great-grandparents met on a Wednesday and got married the next day.  But you need to decide for yourself." 

He started to pull away.  She stopped him with her fingers gripping into his arm.  "Wait."

He waited, patiently, steadily. 

"Trusting comes hard.  Surely you can understand that.  I can't afford to screw this up, Connor.  I need to know what I'm doing is right for my child."

He put his hands on her shoulders, dipping his head to place a soft kiss on her forehead.  "You wouldn't have told me that if you didn't already trust me," he whispered against her skin.  "And you know it.  It's ok to be frightened."

He was right, and it scared the daylights out of her.

"Marry me, Alex."  The calm force of his voice almost made it a command.

She closed her eyes and jumped.

"All right.  For better or worse, the trial period's over.  I'll marry you, Connor Madsen."

 

Reviews   

"Donna Alward debuts with Hired by the Cowboy and makes this familiar premise her own....a fresh setting and likable characters."  Romantic Times Magazine

"She has excelled in yet another teary eyed, tension-filled and surprising book."  The Romance Studio, 4 Hearts

 

"It's kind of like a fairy tale for adults, and there are times when we need them. Hired By The Cowboy (is) Donna Alward's first book and she makes a strong debut. If you love sweet stories, this is exactly the book for you."  All About Romance, B

 

"It was a very romantic, a bit sad, very sweet, lovely, touching book. And I couldn't put it down, not even for dinner."

The Leather Express