HE CALLED HER A SCHEMING LITTLE MINX...

Patience McCord's lies and sweet talk had forced handsome Cass Claxton into a shotgun wedding before he left her Kansas town. Judge McCord's beautiful daughter had vowed she'd do anything to get to St. Louis -- even if it meant tricking the bold, brawny frontiersman into marrying her.

Once in St. Louis, Patience never intended to see Cass again. She never dreamed that six years later she'd be stuck in a Conestoga wagon with nine frightened orphans and using another desperate trick to get Cass to take them through Indian country. He called her a hellcat and a schemer, but this time their hot tempers ignited desire's burning flame. Now she wanted him to tame her, teach her, love her ... if her lies hadn't made it too late to win his heart.