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When news arrived that there was trouble back in Texas, Holt McKettrick left a mail-order bride and his family on the spot. And he never looked back. He just prayed he'd be in time to save the man who had raised him as a son and keep his best friend from the gallows. He knew he'd encounter rustlers, scoundrels and thieves, but he'd never expected to find a woman like Lorelei Fellows.
Setting fire to her wedding dress in the town square probably wasn't the best way to stand her ground. But Lorelei had had enough. She was sick of men and their schemes. All she wanted was to stake her claim on her own little piece of Texas. And with Holt McKettrick as a neighbor, things were beginning to look up. The man was a straight shooter with a strong will, a steady aim and a hungry heart.
Arizona Territory, August 12, 1888
Holt McKettrick hooked a finger under his fancy collar in a vain effort to loosen it a little. Wedding guests milled on the wide, grassy stretch of ground alongside the Triple M ranch house, their finery dappled by shivering patches of shade from the young oaks thriving there. Two fiddlers played a mournful rendition of "Lorena," and there was a whole hog roasting in the pit Holt's three half brothers had dug in the ground and lined with flat rocks from the creek. The wedding cake, baked by Holt's sisters-in-law, was the size of a buckboard, and a long table—an improvised arrangement of planks supported by half a dozen fifty-gallon barrels—wobbled under the weight of a week's worth of fancy grub.
The old man and the rest of the McKettrick outfit had spared no effort or expense to make the gathering memorable. Holt reckoned he might have enjoyed it as much as the next fellow—if he hadn't been the bridegroom.
A hand struck his back in jovial greeting, and Holt nearly spilled his cup of fruit punch, generously laced with whiskey from his brother Rafe's flask, down the front of his dandy suit.
"I reckon that's the preacher, yonder," said Holt's father, Angus McKettrick, nodding toward an approaching rider splashing across the sun-dazzled creek, driving his horse hard. "'Bout time he showed up. I was beginning to think we'd have to send somebody out to the mission to fetch that crippled-up padre."
Holt swallowed, squinted. Heat prickled the back of his neck. Something stirred in him, a sweet, aching feeling like he got on hot summer nights, when a high-country breeze curled around his brain like a voice calling him back to Texas.
"I reckon," he muttered. Holt wondered where Rafe had gotten to with that flask, though he didn't look away from the rider to search the crowd.
The newcomer, his features hidden in the glare of midafternoon light, spurred his horse up the creek bank on the near side, man and mount flinging off diamonds of water as they came.
"Margaret is a fine woman," Angus said. He had a way of cutting a statement loose without laying any groundwork first.
"Who?" Holt asked, distracted. The skin between his shoulder blades itched, and his chest felt wet beneath the starched cotton of his shirtfront.
"Your bride," Angus answered, with a note of exasperation. Out of the corner of his eye, Holt saw his father tug at the knot in his string tie. Like as not, his wife, Concepcion, had cinched it tight as a corset ribbon.
The rider gained the edge of the yard and dismounted with the hasty grace of a seasoned cowpuncher, leaving the reins to dangle. He came straight for Holt.
"That ain't the preacher," Angus remarked unnecessarily, and with concern. Though he had almost no formal education, the old man read till his eyes gave out, and when he let his grammar slip, it meant he was agitated.
Holt glanced toward the house, where Miss Margaret Tarquin, his bride-to-be, was shut away in an upstairs bedroom getting herself gussied up for the wedding, then went to meet the messenger. The fiddle-playing ground to a shrill halt, and a silence settled over the crowd. Even the kids and the dogs were quiet.
"I'm lookin' for Holt Cavanagh," the newly arrived young man announced. His denim trousers were wet with creek water, and he shivered, despite the shimmering heat of that August afternoon. "You'd be him, I reckon?"
Holt nodded in brusque acknowledgment. It didn't occur to him to explain that he'd set aside the name Ca-vanagh, once he and the old man had made their blustery peace, and went by McKettrick these days.
Angus stuck close, bristly brows lowered, and Rafe, Kade and Jeb, elusive until then, seemed to materialize out of the rippling mirages haunting the grounds like ghosts. Holt and his brothers had had their differences in the three years they'd been acquainted—still did—but blood was blood. If the rider brought good news, they'd celebrate. If it was bad, they'd do what they could to help. And if there was trouble in the offing, they'd wade right into the fray and ask for the particulars later.
Holt's affection for them, though sometimes grudging, was in his marrow.
The visitor handed over a slip of paper. "Frank Cor-rales told me to give you this. He sent you a telegram, and when you didn't answer, he figured it didn't go through and told me to hit the trail. I carried that there letter all the way from Texas."
A shock of alarm surged through Holt, like venom from an invisible snake. He hesitated slightly, then snatched the soggy sheet of brown paper and unfolded it with a snap of his wrist. He felt his father and brothers move a stride closer.
He took in the words in a glance, absorbed the implications, and read them again to make sure he had the right of the situation.
JOHN CAVANAGH ABOUT TO BE DRIVEN OFF HIS LAND.
GABE TO HANG FOR A HORSE THIEF AND A MURDERER ON THE FIRST OF OCTOBER. COME QUICK.
FRANK CORRALES
Holt was still digesting the news when a feminine voice jarred him out of his stupor, and a slender hand came to rest on his coat sleeve. "Holt? Is something wrong?"
Holt started slightly, turned his head to look down into the upturned face of his bride-to-be, resplendent in her lacy finery and gossamer veil. She was a pretty woman, with fair hair and expressive blue eyes, a sent-for wife, imported all the way from Boston. Holt never looked at her without a stab of guilt; Margaret deserved a man who loved her, not one who wanted a mother for his young daughter, a bed companion for himself and not much else.
"I've got to go back to Texas," he said. The words had been shambling along the far borders of his mind for a long while, but this was the first time he'd let them come to the fore, let alone find their way out of his mouth.
Angus cleared his throat, and the whole party started up again, like it was some sort of signal. Reluctantly, Rafe, Kade and Jeb moved off, and Angus handed the rider a five-dollar gold piece, then steered him toward the food table.
One of the ranch hands took care of the exhausted horse.
Margaret's smile faltered a little as she gazed up at Holt, waiting.
"Maybe when I get backÂ…" he began awkwardly, but then his voice just fell away.
She sighed, shook her head. "I don't believe I want to wait, Holt," she said. "If that's what you're asking me to do, I mean."
He touched her face, let his hand fall back to his side. "I'm sorry," he rasped, and he was, truly, though he doubted it would count for much in the grand scheme of things. At his brothers' urging, he'd brought this woman out from the east, and now here she was, all got up in a bridal gown, with half the territory in attendance, and there wasn't going to be a wedding.
"I'll go ahead and marry you anyhow," he said, against his every instinct, because he was Angus McKettrick's son and a deal was a deal. But he couldn't make himself sound like that was what he wanted, and Margaret was no fool. "I've still got to leave, though, either way."
A tear shimmered on her cheek, but Margaret held her chin high, shook her head again. "No," she said, with sad pride. "If you really wanted me for a wife, you'd have gone ahead with the ceremony, put a ring on my finger so everybody would know I was taken, maybe even asked me to come along."
"It'll be a hard trip," Holt said. From a verbal standpoint, he felt like a lame cow, turning in fruitless circles, trying to find its way out of a narrow place in the trail.
Nonetheless, he kept right on struggling. "Hard things to attend to, too, once I get there."
She worked up another smile. "Godspeed, Holt Mc-Kettrick," she said. Then, to his profound chagrin, she turned to face the gathering.
All attempts at merriment ceased, and a hush fell.
"There will be no wedding today," Margaret announced, in a clear voice, while everyone stared back at her in bleak sympathy. Her spine, Holt noted, with admiration, was straight as a new fence post. "But there will be a party. I'm going upstairs right now and change out of this silly dress, and when I come back down again, I expect to find every last one of you making merry."
With that, Margaret started for the house. Holt's sisters-in-law, Emmeline, Mandy and Chloe, all flung poisonous glances in his direction and hurried after his retreating almost-bride.
Only Lizzie, Holt's twelve-year-old daughter, had the temerity to approach him, and her cheeks glowed pink with indignation.
"Papa," she demanded, coming to a stop directly in front of him, "how could you?"
Holt loved his child, though he hadn't known she'd existed until last year, and except for Margaret herself, Lizzie was the hardest person in the crowd to face just then. "I've got business in Texas," he said, because that was the stark truth and he had nothing else to offer. "It can't wait."
Lizzie stiffened, blinked her large hazel eyes, and bit her lower lip. "You're leaving?"
He reached out to lay a hand on her shoulder, but she shrank from him.
"Lizzie," he whispered.
She turned on her heel, fled to her grandfather. Angus put an arm around the child and glowered at Holt. The old man looked like Zeus himself, shooting thunderbolts from his eyes.
"Hell," Holt muttered, and started for the barn.
His brothers fell in beside him, their faces hard. Holt lengthened his stride, but they stuck to his heels like barn muck. Stubborn cusses, cut from the same itchy cloth as their pa, every one of them.
"What the hell is going on here?" Rafe snarled. The firstborn of Angus's three younger sons, Rafe was a bull of a man, and always the first to demand an accounting. He and Kade and Jeb formed a semicircle in front of Holt, barring his way into the barn, where his horse was stabled, blissfully unaware of the long, arduous ride ahead.
Holt might have shoved his way through, if he hadn't figured that would lead to a fight. He wasn't afraid of tangling, but a brawl would mean a delay, and the need to get where he was going made an urgent clench in the pit of his belly.
He pulled out the crumpled letter, thrust into his vest pocket earlier, and shoved it at Kade, who happened to be the one standing directly in front of him. "See for yourself," he said.
Kade scanned the page, while Jeb and Rafe peered at it from either side.
"I'll saddle your horse," Kade said, handing it back. He was the middle brother, the thoughtful, practical one. "Best pack yourself some of that wedding grub, too, for the trail."
"Have a word with Lizzie before you go, Holt," Rafe interjected. "She doesn't look like she's taking this real well."
"I could ride along," Jeb put in, with typical eagerness.
The youngest of the brood, he was also the fastest gun, and hands-down the best rider. Jeb was handy to have around in a tight place, for those reasons and a few others, but the plain and simple truth was that Holt didn't want to have to look out for him. He wasn't fool enough to say so, though.
He might have grinned, if he hadn't just humiliated a fine woman and learned that two of the best friends he'd ever had were in trouble. Jeb had a wife to look after, and a baby daughter, barely walking. Rafe and Kade were in the same situation, since all three of their brides had managed to come a-crop with babies a year ago last Independence Day.
"This is my fight," Holt said. "I'll handle it."
Rafe looked thoughtful. "John Cavanagh. That's the man who raised you, isn't it?"
Holt nodded, though Rafe's assessment didn't begin to cover what Cavanagh meant to him. "He's got a spread outside San Antonio."
"And this Gabe yahooÂ…?" Jeb fished. "Who's he?"
"We were Rangers together," Holt explained. Gabe Navarro was a wild man—part Comanche, part Mexican, part devil—but he was neither a murderer nor a horse thief. Holt had known him too long and too well ever to believe either accusation.
Apparently satisfied, Kade headed into the barn to get Holt's horse, Traveler, ready.
Rafe and Jeb went to the feast table and commenced gathering food for the journey. Holt looked for Lizzie and found her still in Angus's arms, her head resting against the old man's broad shoulder.
"Here, now," Angus murmured, giving his eldest son an unfriendly but resigned glance as Holt approached.
"You talk to your papa, Lizzie-beth. It's no good parting without saying what needs to be said."
Lizzie sniffled, raised her head, and met Holt's gaze.
Angus squeezed her upper arm, then favoring Holt with a withering glare, he walked away.
"Are you coming back?" Lizzie wanted to know.
"Yes," Holt said, with certainty. He wasn't through with Texas—he'd left too many things undone there— but in the deepest part of his heart, he knew the Arizona Territory and the Triple M were home. He belonged on this stretch of red, rocky dirt, with his impossible father, his rowdy brothers and his spirited daughter.
She dashed at her face with the back of one hand. "You promise?"
"You have my word."
"What if you can't come home? What if somebody shoots you?"
"I will come back, Lizzie."
"I guess I have to believe you."
He chuckled, extended an arm. Lizzie hesitated, then curled against his chest, clinging a little. "You be a good girl," he said, resting his chin on top of her dark head, wishing he didn't have to leave her behind. "Mind Con-cepcion and your grandfather."
She trembled, tugged a cherished blue ribbon from her hair and tucked it into Holt's vest pocket. "A remembrance," she said softly, and Holt's heart ached. Before he could find words to assure his daughter that forgetting her would be impossible, she went on, "Are you going to visit Mama's grave? She's buried in San Antonio, in the cemetery behind Saint Ambrose's."
He nodded, still choked up. Lizzie's mother, Olivia, was part of the unfinished business waiting for him in Texas. He needed to say a proper goodbye to her, put her to rest in his mind and his heart, even though it was too late for her to hear the words.
"Will you take her flowers—the best you can find— for me? "
Holt's throat still wouldn't open. He nodded again.
Lizzie stared into his face, looking, perhaps, for the half-truths people tell to children, or even a bold-faced lie. Finding only truth, she straightened her shoulders and hoisted her chin.
"All right, then," she said. "I guess you'd better ride while there's still enough daylight to see the trail."
He smiled, cupped her chin in one hand. "Don't eat too much cake," he said.
Her eyes glistened with tears. "Don't get yourself shot," she countered.
And that was their farewell.
Anonymous
Posted November 4, 2012
This book was my introduction to miller. I fell in love with the book and the author from page 1. I have read many books by this author, she has become a favorite of mine. This book was my favorite in the series and I continued the series to the very end. A must read, you will not be disappointed.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 11, 2011
Holt and Lorelei relationship was heart rending and funny. He is stubbon and she is just as stubbon as he is. I have always enjoy Linda Lael Miller's books. I keep her books and reread them all the time. I am looking forward to any new books she has coming out. I would advice anyone to read this book it will make you sad and happy at the same time.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.All of the books in the McKettrick series are great, I can't wait till I get to the next one.... They make you laugh, they make you cry, they even make you want to fall in love with someone just like for example Holt...
I hope that Linda will continue this series on and on with each generation to come.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 11, 2013
Have enjoyed all of the McKettrick's books I have read so far.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.goldieinaz
Posted August 17, 2012
First book I have read in the series and enjoyed it very much, in fact
it didn't take me long to finish it. Going to start with number one in
the series. Highly recommend.
Anonymous
Posted June 30, 2012
Every book Miller has written I have enjoyed, this one included. Her characters are authentic and her writing style easy to read and enjoy. Many times I've caught myself laughing out loud while reading her books, this one included! I look forward to the next one in the series.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.MontBlancAK
Posted May 10, 2012
Entertaining. Typical boy meets girl. They can't stand each other but there is something going on. Then some kind of suspense builds until they realize they can't live without each other!! I plan to read the entire series.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Marcia4449
Posted March 25, 2012
The McKettrick series is not the only series I have read from Linda L Miller, and they are all terrific. She combines humor and action with a thorough knowledge of human relationships - especially between two strong individuals. This story finally brings Holt into the family - he is no longer just related by blood but now by strong bonds as well, laced with admiration, committment and love. Don't miss this book. You'll love it.
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Posted January 28, 2012
I really loved reading this book.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 7, 2011
I Also Recommend:
I like Linda Lael Miller's series Steven, Conner, and Brody so set about looking for other books in the series. I am not a "historical" romance person but am a series person so I read this and the rest of the series -- It was my least favorite
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Posted April 5, 2011
good reading
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.lola42LS
Posted February 25, 2011
love the book and love the series, best to start at the beginning
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I fell in love with Holt in "High Country Bride" and loved him through the other McKettick Cowboy series. He is the stubbornest of the four brothers and the last one to truly fall in love. Lorelei is a perfect match for Holt in being stubborn and proud. I love all LLM McKettrick books.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Linda Lael Miller is known for writing heart-tugging, emotional Western romances, and with MCKETTRICK'S CHOICE, she delivers yet again. The MCKETTRICK BROTHERS TRILOGY began in 2002 with HIGH COUNTRY BRIDE, followed in 2003 with SHOTGUN BRIDE, and finished in 2004 with SECONDHAND BRIDE. The saga now takes a surprising turn in 2005 with MCKETTRICK'S CHOICE, the story of the oldest McKettrick brother, Holt, who was raised away from the iron fist of family patriarch, Angus, and the three brothers from the trilogy-Rafe, Kade, and Jeb. <BR/><BR/>Holt McKettrick spent a large part of his life as Holt Cavanagh, adopted son of John Cavanagh, a rancher with a spread outside of San Antonio, Texas. Now back in the McKettrick fold-with the tensions and egos that four competing males are bound to bring-Holt is in the process of marrying Miss Margaret Tarquin when a letter from Texas changes his plans. <BR/><BR/>The short note advises Holt that his adoptive father, John, is about to be driven from his land, and former Ranger buddy, Gabe Navarro, is to be hanged for murder and thievery. Holt, as a McKettrick and a Cavanagh, has no choice but to leave the Arizona Territory and return to Texas to set matters straight. <BR/><BR/>But upon arrival, mayhem awaits. People have been killed, lands have been burned, and one Miss Lorelie Fellows, who happens to own the land next to John Cavanagh's, is attempting to drive Holt insane. <BR/><BR/>MCKETTRICK'S CHOICE is Western historical romance at its best-lively characters, a wonderful story line, attention to historic detail, and Ms. Miller's personal brand of story-telling make this book a very enjoyable read. Mystery, suspense, passion, and family duty don't disappoint.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 23, 2007
Linda Lael Miller is known for writing heart-tugging, emotional Western romances, and with MCKETTRICK'S CHOICE, she delivers yet again. The MCKETTRICK BROTHERS TRILOGY began in 2002 with HIGH COUNTRY BRIDE, followed in 2003 with SHOTGUN BRIDE, and finished in 2004 with SECONDHAND BRIDE. The saga now takes a surprising turn in 2005 with MCKETTRICK'S CHOICE, the story of the oldest McKettrick brother, Holt, who was raised away from the iron fist of family patriarch, Angus, and the three brothers from the trilogy-Rafe, Kade, and Jeb. Holt McKettrick spent a large part of his life as Holt Cavanagh, adopted son of John Cavanagh, a rancher with a spread outside of San Antonio, Texas. Now back in the McKettrick fold-with the tensions and egos that four competing males are bound to bring-Holt is in the process of marrying Miss Margaret Tarquin when a letter from Texas changes his plans. The short note advises Holt that his adoptive father, John, is about to be driven from his land, and former Ranger buddy, Gabe Navarro, is to be hanged for murder and thievery. Holt, as a McKettrick and a Cavanagh, has no choice but to leave the Arizona Territory and return to Texas to set matters straight. But upon arrival, mayhem awaits. People have been killed, lands have been burned, and one Miss Lorelie Fellows, who happens to own the land next to John Cavanagh's, is attempting to drive Holt insane. MCKETTRICK'S CHOICE is Western historical romance at its best-lively characters, a wonderful story line, attention to historic detail, and Ms. Miller's personal brand of story-telling make this book a very enjoyable read. Mystery, suspense, passion, and family duty don't disappoint in this hardcover release from one of the best of the genre.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 20, 2007
This was my first book in Linda Lael Miller's 'McKettrick' series. I wasn't disappointed and enjoyed each page with anticipation of what was going to happen next. 'Choice' was totally enjoyable and I'm sure this won't be the only one of the series books that I'll be reading.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 14, 2006
As a first time LLM reader, I was impressed by this book. I've been reading many Nora Roberts, Sandra Brown, Amanda Quick, and other authors lately and LLM definitely stood out from the rest with this novel. I don't often read western novels, but this is great for everyone. I loved the stubbornness in Lorelei's and Holt's characters. The dialogue was witty and flowed very well. Great read!
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Posted April 18, 2006
i liked holt a lot. i liked the relationship that the brothers had. the lead female in the book i found irritating at times, she was very stubborn even when she knew she was wrong.
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Posted April 10, 2006
What a sweet story. I found the characters and their interaction with each other funny, sweet and at times very touching. The atmosphere of the old west was a refreshing backdrop to the story. I enjoyed this novel very much!!
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Posted November 7, 2005
I enjoyed this book very much along with the other 3 books of the McKettrick clan. I was very sorry when I finished the book because I did not have another one to read. Ms. Miller keeps her readers looking towards what is going to happen next. I also liked they way she made all of the women strong and not some woosie little girl. I only wish that there was another sequel to read next. Will have to wait and see if there will be another one.
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Overview
When news arrived that there was trouble back in Texas, Holt McKettrick left a mail-order bride and his family on the spot. And he never looked back. He just prayed he'd be in time to save the man who had raised him as a son and keep his best friend from the gallows. He knew he'd encounter rustlers, scoundrels and thieves, but he'd never expected to find a woman like Lorelei Fellows.
Setting fire to her wedding dress in the town square probably wasn't the best way to stand her ...