Love in the Bargain by Lucette Nel

 

Love in the Bargain

by Lucette Nel

Book Blurb: 

Driven to rekindle her relationship with her ailing grandfather, Amelia Scott returns to her childhood home. However, her unyielding grandfather is determined to control her future and poses an ultimatum. Marry and inherit the iconic Scott Hotel or return to New York penniless. Amelia is determined to stay, and formulates a plan to ensure proprietorship of her last connection to family. But love is not a part of the deal. She can’t risk another man having control of her. 

 

Ex-convict, now town carpenter, Micah Kelly struggles to raise his deceased sister’s children. When Amelia proposes marriage without love as the answer to both of their problems, he knows better than to say yes. While partnering with his childhood friend may yield an answer to his monetary challenges, he cannot agree to a marriage in name only. His heart is already involved, and that always leads to trouble. 

 

Circumstances put them together, and while they struggle within their new marriage, outside forces are determined to snatch the Scott Hotel from them. Even if it means killing them.  

 

Excerpt: 

He scrubbed his face and released a soft whistle. Amelia Scott as his wife. Might be better than no wife. Pearl and Oliver would have a woman’s touch in their lives, a lady’s, no less. Something that people constantly tossed in his face. 

He shoved his hands through his hair. So much for slicking it back this morning. 

“Maybe I should talk with your grandfather?” A laughable suggestion. What could Micah possibly say to the man to change his mind? ‘Don’t force your granddaughter to return to New York’ would hardly be adequate. 

“No! He would stuff me into the next train heading back to New York.” Amelia traced the trio of pearl buttons at her cuff as she straightened. “I didn’t think you’d find the idea so dreadful.” 

“I’m surprised. A man doesn’t expect a proposal from a woman.” One corner of his mouth quirked up as her cheeks turned red. “I always imagined I’d be the one doing the proposing.” 

She shot to her feet as if the seat scalded her backside. “This isn’t a proposal.” Her voice quivered. “It’s an arrangement.” 

“An arrangement, eh? You might want to butter me up some. How about you propose your arrangement on one knee?” A gentleman wouldn’t torment her, good thing he never claimed to be one. 

She met his gaze. Her jaw remained rigid. 

Author Bio: 

Lucette Nel is a coffee addicted work-in-progress daughter of the Lord Almighty. She's a mommy to a rambunctious boy and sweet toddler girl and wife to her best friend and real-life hero. Along with a spoiled Pug, a pampered cat, they make their home in Gauteng, the smallest of nine provinces in South Africa. 

You can find out more about her and her books by vising her website Lucette Nel and to stay up to date with news about her writing, sign up for her newsletter.