Marigold

She never wanted children of her own.
He never wanted a wife.
Without a family to care about him, he could end up in an orphanage.

Content with being a spinster schoolteacher, Marigold Calloway never thought she was the kind of woman who wanted her own children. She never suspected she had a maternal bone in her body. She certainly had no intention of ever getting married.

Marigold discovers one of her young students is in dire straits. It soon becomes apparent the boy needs a new home. Caring for him and his dying mother fills the void in her heart left after her sister left home and married. Unfortunately, a number of people in town question her ability and suitability to care for young Joey.

After mustering out of the U.S. Army, George Burdock is unsure about his future. The only skill he gained he might find useful in civilian life was constructing housing and other buildings for the forts dotting the frontier West. A confirmed bachelor, he moves in with his brother, who claimed a homestead parcel in the 1893 Cherokee Outlet Land Run. Located near booming Ponca City, surely, with all the new homes and businesses that need to be built, he should be able to find work. He accepts a job to help the take-charge schoolmarm build her house. Will something greater build between him and Marigold?

If you enjoyed reading about Rose Calloway’s romance in Joshua’s Bride, you will also enjoy reading about her older sister’s romance.