Lauralee

From New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael Miller comes the tale of a woman who braved the heights of a passion beyond reason. Lauralee Parker knew too well what drink could do to a man. Her own husband had died at the door of a town saloon. With hymns and hatchets, Lauralee and the women of Halpern's Ferry closed down all the taverns—all but the one Jay McCallum was determined to save. After his brother, a saloonkeeper, was found brutally slain, Jay had come to town ready to accuse Lauralee—only to be captivated by her winsome beauty. The proud, powerful man melted Lauralee's defiant heart with the aching hunger of his love—and with the sweet, urgent ecstasy they shared. But even as she surrendered to her rich and wild desire, Lauralee's joy was shadowed by the haunting mystery of Jay's brother's death...a mystery whose shocking outcome could forever destroy her future's radiant promise. "Lauralee Parker knew too well what drink could do to a man. Her own husband had died at the door of a town saloon. With hymns and hatchets, Lauralee and the women of Halpern's Ferry closed down all the taverns--all but the one Jay McCallum was determined to save. After his brother, a saloon keeper, was found brutally slain, Jay had come to town ready to accuse Lauralee--only to be captivated by her winsome beauty. The proud, powerful man melted Lauralee's defiant heart with the aching hunger of his love --and with the sweet, urgent ecstasy they shared. But even as she surrendered to her rich and wild desire, Lauralee's joy was shadowed by the haunting mystery of Jay's brother's death ... a mystery whose shocking outcome could forever destroy her future's radiant promise."--Back cover After his brother, a saloonkeeper, was found brutally slain, Jay McCallum came to town ready to accuse a winsome beauty -- Lauralee Parker! If Lauralee had her way, all the saloons in the great Northwest would be closed down. Her crusade was successful -- except for the prosperous saloon that McCallum was determined to save from her indignation. But their conflict could not quell their growing attraction for each other. Slowly, the proud, powerful man melted Lauralee's defiant heart ... yet as she surrendered to a rich and wild desire, her joy was shadowed by the haunting mystery of McCallum's brother's death ... a mystery whose shocking outcome could forever destroy their love! The scream was high-pitched and keening, carrying across the narrow stretch of the meadow and over the creek to the orchard.