Cassie

Nathanial Carroll has been a thorn in Cassie Bjorn's side ever since they were children. He has tormented her by dipping her blonde hair in ink, pouring honey into her school bag, and teasing her relentlessly. Now, grown up and more handsome than a man ought to be, Nathanial is determined to make Cassie his wife, although she loathes him with a passion. The task before him is formidable, and Nate will have to make amends for past behavior and court Cassie properly.

Cassie knows Nathanial as a womanizer and drunkard with appalling manners. Any well-bred young lady would give this man a wide berth, as she has done for years. But Cassie's mother and Nate's mother are the best of friends, and they see fit to broker an engagement. To compound matters, an accidental kiss during a shootout sends the town's gossips into a furor, and Cassie finds her reputation in tatters. There's only one man to blame for this predicament-Nathanial Carroll.