Hidden Fires

AS THE TWENTIETH CENTURY TURNED, TEXAS FLAMED WITH RAILROADS, RANCHERS--AND ADARING NEW LOVE!When Innocent, raven-haired Lauren Holbrook left her home for a promisinglife in Texas she found heartbreak, not happiness, forced into a lovelessmarriage of convenience to playboy-rancher, Jared Lockett.Now a victim of Jared's scheming mother whose hunger for power and wealthdefied the boundaries of human greed, Lauren was unjustly accused ofbetrayal... threatened by an ambitious investor's savage lust... andrejected in love by her rebellious husband.But nevertheless Lauren's love for Jared grew. She bravely challenged thehate that surrounded Jared's heart, and offered instead a rapturouspassion--a shimmering new dream they could share--if only they could conquerthe treachery that ruled their lives. In a Texas of cattle and railroads, family dynasties and ambitious schemers, Sandra Brown's classic historical romance brings readers a riveting story... The moment preacher's daughter Lauren Holbrook walked into the Texas mansion, she suspected she had been tricked. Instead of becoming wealthy Olivia Lockett's secretary, the matriarch presented her with a scandalous offer: to marry, in name only, the Lockett dynasty's heir -- playboy rebel Jared Lockett. Lauren could not know Olivia's real motive, but she was achingly aware of her feelings for Jared. Now, in spite of terrible risks, she had to trust her reckless husband -- and fight to make their marriage as strong as her love. In this Western historical romance set in 1800s Texas, a preacher's daughter reluctantly agrees to marry a wealthy playboy . . . even if it means risking her heart. The moment Lauren Holbrook walked into the Texas mansion, she knew she'd been tricked. Instead of asking her to become a secretary, wealthy matriarch Olivia Lockett proposes a scandalous offer: to marry Jared Lockett, her rebellious son and heir to the dynasty, in name only. Lauren can't know Olivia's real motive, but she's achingly aware of her feelings for Jared. Now, in spite of terrible risks, she has to trust her reckless husband. She has strong feelings for him . . . but are they strong enough? In 1800s Texas, a wealthy matriarch makes a scandalous offer to a preacher's daughter: to marry, in name only, her rebellious son. Now, embroiled in a nightmare of distrust and betrayal, the innocent young lady must try to melt the ice of hatred around the playboy's heart