Married In Montana (At The Altar #1) by Kirsten Osbourne

Savannah is tired of the dating scene, even though she wants to get married and have a family. She knows her mother will never move on with her own life as long as Savannah is single. Savannah goes to see a matchmaker, specializing in setting up couples who meet at the altar. At first, she thinks Scott is a dream come true, but his blundering soon makes her crazy.

Description:

Cover Designer: Erin Dameron-Hill

Published: April 16th, 2015

Savannah is tired of the dating scene, even though she wants to get married and have a family. She knows her mother will never move on with her own life as long as Savannah is single. Savannah goes to see a matchmaker, specializing in setting up couples who meet at the altar. At first, she thinks Scott is a dream come true, but his blundering soon makes her crazy.

Scott, a Montana bison rancher, doesn't have time to find a wife. His work is all-encompassing. Besides, he tends to have a hard time getting women to go out with him more than once. When he runs into a matchmaker he's known all his life, he tells her about the problems he's had to see if she can help him. When he meets Savannah at the altar, his heart stops for a moment. She's exactly what he's looking for. Will their diverse backgrounds keep them apart? Or will they be able to work through their differences to make their marriage a loving relationship?

After the most recent in a stream of horrific blind dates, Addie's roommate suggests she see a professional matchmaker to try to find love, instead of allowing people who are less qualified to set her up. When she doesn't agree, her friend sets up a meeting without her knowledge. After meeting the woman, Addie decides to let her try to find someone for her, but she doesn't hold out much hope. 

Jake watched his best friend find love through the services of Matchrimony, but doesn't consider it himself. He's persuaded to contact matchmaker, Dr. Lachele, by his friend and his wife. When he meets his new bride, he's thrilled with the match. Will they be able to get past his obsession with his work to find love? Or will they give up too quickly?

EXCERPT

"Are you sure you want to go through with this, Savannah? It's not too late to back out." Mrs. Blyton's eyes all but pled with her daughter.

Savannah shook her head. She'd already been to the beauty parlor to have her hair and make-up done for the wedding. It was just before ten, and she was getting married at ten-thirty. She was about to step into her wedding dress. "I'm sure. I really feel like this is the right thing to do." She pulled her dress up and put her arms through the sleeves, turning her back to her mother.

"I worry about you."

"Don't. I'm a big girl. And I have money saved up, so if something happens, I can always come home.  I won't stay in a bad relationship."

There was a knock at the door, and Savannah called out, "Come in!" They were in the bridal room at the back of the church, getting ready for Savannah's big day.

Dr. Simpson stepped into the room, closing the door behind her. She approached Savannah with a smile. "You look beautiful. Scott is going to go crazy when he sees you."

"Scott? Is that his name?" Savannah asked.

"It is. I'll let you two learn everything else about each other once you've exchanged vows." Dr. Simpson held her hand out for Mrs. Blyton to shake. "I'm Lachele Simpson. I've been working with your daughter on her match for a couple of months now." Dr. Simpson had dark hair with purple streaks and a warm loving smile. "My great great great grandmother was a mail order bride in Montana in the 1890s. I figured if she could be happy as a mail order bride then, there were people who would be happy with that sort of arrangement now." She turned her attention to Savannah again. "I think you're going to be very pleased with Scott."

"I'm certain I will." Savannah squeezed the older woman's hand. "I trust you not to tie me to a toad."

Dr. Simpson threw her head back and laughed. "A toad? No, I won't tie you to a toad. I should put that in my advertisement. 'No one will be tied to a toad.' Do you think it would work for me?"

Savannah couldn't help but giggle at the psychologist's silliness. "I would think so. It would have worked for me!"

Dr. Simpson took a seat, crossing her ankles in front of her. "This is how it's going to work. I found a minister who will marry you. When you're walking down the aisle you will see Scott for the first time." She looked between the two women. "Is there someone who you have here to walk you down the aisle?"

Savannah looked at her mother. "I was hoping my mom would do it."

Mrs. Blyton raised both hands as if to ward off the very idea. "I don't think that could work for me. I would be too nervous to be fulfilling a traditional male role that way."

Dr. Simpson nodded as if she understood. "I thought that might be the case. I brought my husband, Sam, along to walk you down the aisle if you'd like."

Savannah considered it. She wanted to say she could walk down alone, since her father wasn't there, but she really wasn't certain she could do it...walking alone to a man she didn't know? "I'd like that."

When it was time, Dr. Simpson left for a moment and brought back a man in his mid-forties. He had dark hair and kind green eyes. "This is my Sam. Sam? This is your daughter for the next hour."

Sam smiled, reaching out to take Savannah's hand and put it through his arm. He was wearing a charcoal suit with a red striped tie. "We'll do it together. You've never married, and I've never walked a daughter down the aisle. We're even."

Savannah smiled. "You don't have any daughters?"

Sam shook his head, while Dr. Simpson and Mrs. Blyton walked out ahead of them. "Just one adopted son. Lachele couldn't have any babies, but we sure do love our boy."

"Oh! I'm sorry to bring up a sore subject." Savannah wanted a houseful of children and couldn't imagine being told she couldn't have them.

"It's been too many years for it to be a sore subject." Sam patted the hand that still rested on his arm. "You ready?"

Savannah took a deep breath. "I'm doing the right thing, aren't I?"

"Definitely. If Lachele found you a man, I guarantee, he's the right man for you." He started walking slowly through the back of the church to the aisle they'd walk down together. "Smile big now, beautiful."

Savannah tried to calm the butterflies in her stomach that were starting to feel as if they were eagles, fighting their way out. She forced a slight smile on her face, walking toward the front of the church with the man beside her. Why she felt comfortable with him, she didn't know, but he seemed like a teddy bear to her.

There were two men standing together at the front of the church. One man, with hair just as blond as hers stood gazing at her steadily, a half smile on his face. He looked as if he were wondering what had possessed him to be there as well. Seeing that look on his face for some reason reassured her. She didn't mind marrying a man who would marry a stranger, as long as he knew it was odd.

Scott watched as his bride walked down the aisle toward him on the arm of a dark haired man. She was beautiful. Somehow he'd been certain that only a plain woman would agree to marry a stranger, but that wasn't the case with her. She made his knees weak. He wanted to meet her halfway and take her hand from the other man, but he knew that would be unacceptable. He could just imagine her father's reaction to that.

When Savannah reached the front of the church, she stood uncertainly for a moment as Sam took her hand and placed it into Scott's. Scott squeezed her hand tightly, and she looked up at him, a smile on her lips. This was the man she'd spend forever with. Oh, how she hoped it would work out.

They followed the preacher's prompts. Savannah repeated her vows, her voice stronger than she had expected it to be. When Scott responded, his voice was deep, filling her with warmth. She could imagine his voice talking to a small child, and the idea filled her heart with joy. She wanted children, and she could see this man as a father.

"I now pronounce you man and wife. Scott? If you're so inclined, you may kiss your bride."

Savannah swallowed hard. She liked how the pastor had worded it. She didn't like the idea of being forced to kiss just moments after she'd met Scott, but they were married. He had the right to ask a whole lot more from her in just a few hours.

Scott saw the nervousness on Savannah's face, and briefly considered not kissing her, but he knew the nervousness would just last longer that way. No, it was better to get the first kiss over and done with. He leaned down and brushed his lips against hers softly.

Savannah felt a spark of energy rush through her. If they weren't compatible in any other way, they'd definitely be physically. It wasn't everything, but it was something to start with.

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About the author:

USA Today Bestselling author, Kirsten Osbourne, has always known she would eventually be a writer.

She penned her first book in a spiral notebook when she was ten and has been writing ever since. As Kirsten she writes both historical and contemporary romance, with a humorous flair. As Morganna Mayfair, she ventures into the realm of paranormal historical romance. Kirsten lives in Texas with her husband of over fifteen years, their son, and a crazed mutt. She invites you to join her in her world of fantasy and make believe where there is always a happily ever after at the end.

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