Hooked

“Sweetheart, you make twenty-five cents for a thirty-minute piano lesson . . . .

“Right now, I'm making that in five minutes. You tell me why you won't pay a kid to mow your lawn anymore, and that upright is yours. Just tell me why. Do you need money?”

For a minute, he thought she might wallop him.

“My aunt left me financially sound, Mr. Brody, so I most certainly do not need any charity from you.” She took a step toward him to reach for the doorknob, and he could smell the faint scent of some kind of floral perfume on her skin. “Now, if you're finished—”

“No, I'm not.”

Before she could protest, he kissed her on the lips. Nothing lingering, nothing deep. Just long enough to make him realize a quick kiss wasn't going to satisfy him. Just long enough for him to change his mind and give her something lingering and deep. The texture of her hair was erotic, making him kiss her harder. Making him want to . . . damn.

“Christ,” he muttered, and shook his head, needing to clear his thoughts.

“Mr. Brody,” she gasped, her bosom rising and falling. “Mr. Brody . . . Well . . . I. . . I like that.”

“I was hoping you would.” He turned and opened the door to let himself out. “I was hoping I wouldn't.”

Praise for Stef Ann Holm's

Warm and Witty Romance
Harmony

“Well written and just plain fun to read.”

—Southern Pines Pilot
(NC)

“[A] warmly humorous, homespun tale . . . nicely rendered with Holm's typical charm and wit.”

—Library Journal

“Harmony
is filled with frolic, mischief, and passion. Holm has a great sense of humor that shines through her characters.”

—Affaire de Coeur

“Edwina and Tom are believable and compelling . . . . you root for these two to come together. The writing is quick and full of humor.”

—The Literary Times

“Stef Ann Holm is a special writer who touches your heart and your funnybone at the same time—a rare combination.
Harmony
is a lightning read!”

—Suzanne Coleburn,
The Belles & Beaux of Romance

“Ms. Holm just did a beautiful piece of work with her witty characters and humor. Fantastic! Five bells!”

—Bell, Book and Candle

“The comical exploits of the characters will have you laughing while finding reality tucked between the lines. It will touch your heart and make you realize there is always a chance for love.”

—Rendezvous

MEG SPIED A PARTICULARLY VIBRANT PATCH OF BLUE.

Intending to point out plant tidbits, she abruptly ceased her steps—only to have Mr. Wilberforce slam into her and knock her off kilter.

He braced his hands on her shoulders to keep her from toppling into the wild sorrel that grew alongside the trail.

Beneath his breath he said, “Miss Brooks, you sorely tempt me.”

Turning her head, she whispered, “I do?” Her heart beat so fast, she could barely put a coherent sentence together—short as it might have been.

This close, his eyes were defining shades of summer green and the gold hues of fall sunsets. Breathing became an effort.

The weight of his hands on her shoulders felt deliciously strong and protective. “You're a very enchanting woman and any man fortunate enough to hold you in his arms would be hard-pressed not to take advantage of the situation.”

He held his face over hers. “Did you stop because you wanted me to kiss you?”

Meg sucked in her breath. No man had ever asked her that. “It hadn't been my intention . . .”

She got no further. His lips came softly over hers as he kissed her startled mouth.

Critics Declare Stef Ann Holm Is a Winner . . .

HARMONY

“The most warmhearted, heart-stirring romance of the season.”

—
Romantic Times

“Harmony
is filled with frolic, mischief, and passion. Holm has a great sense of humor that shines through her characters.”

—Laurel Gainer,
Affaire de Coeur

“It will touch your heart . . . . A captivatingly delightful tale that will inspire, amuse, and move you. The comical exploits of the characters will have you laughing while finding reality tucked between the lines.”

—
Rendezvous

“Stef Ann Holm has developed a wonderful sense of the time. Scott Joplin, Susan B. Anthony, and ragtime music are beautifully woven into the story.”

—Linda Mowery,
The Romantic Reader Online

“When Stef Ann Holm is on, no one has a more lyrical, beautiful and unique voice than she does. Ms. Holm is one of the best at writing an emotionally intense historical romance that leaves nary a dry reader's eye anywhere.”

—Harriet Klausner, Amazon.com

“The fun begins with the first stroke . . . . An amusing read.”

—Annie Oakely,
Denver Rocky Mountain News

“When the romantic relationship eventually matures, it does so with heart as Holm champions the need for women to be educated and permitted to combine work and marriage.”

—Publishers Weekly

“A classic . . . . A fun and delightful read.”

—Cathie Linz, author of
Husband Needed

“Tender and heartbreaking with touches of fun . . . . To celebrate the book, I cranked up my grandmother's Victrola and played a 78 of the Maple Leaf Rag.”

—Joyce Dixon, Painted Rock Online Reviews

“Holm launches her Brides for All Seasons series in fine form with this warmly humorous, homespun tale . . . . Nicely rendered with Holm's typical charm and wit, this lightly sensual romance provides an accurate sense of time and place.”

—Library Journal

“Ms. Holm did a beautiful piece of work with her witty characters and humor. Fantastic! 5 BELLS!!!”

—Donita,
Bell, Book, and Candle

AND BOOKSELLERS AGREE

“Truly enjoyable. This was very good.”

—Henrietta Davis, Waldenbooks

“Easy read, nicely written, but ended too soon! Her characters were great!”

—Gracie, Gracie's Book Nook

“It was lovely.”

—Merry Cutler, Annie's Book Shop

“By teaming a prim and proper pseudo-spinster with a finicky feline and a rugged outdoorsman and his hungry hound, Stef Ann Holm has another winner.”

—Ruth Corbin, Paperback Place

“What great fun! Can't wait to read the next book in the series.”

—Sharon Murphy, Paperback Trader

“Ms. Holm has skillfully crafted a wonderful story. Characters that come to life, a lot of laughter and a few tears make
Harmony
a keeper . . . . A great book.”

—Margaret Stilson, Paperback Exchange

For my agent, Meg Ruley—the real Meg, who came up with this book's imaginative title in under a minute while talking to me from a pay phone at Kennedy Airport

Acknowledgments

With special thanks to my friend, Linda Francis Lee, who saw this book the way I wanted to write it, and helped me figure out how to make that story come to life. And also to a most excellent pal, Rachel Gibson, who read several drafts of this novel, gave me insightful critiques and never fell asleep. At least not to my knowledge.

Prologue

I
t was
him.

U.S. Deputy Marshal Ben Tweedy's hand shook as he read the identification in his prisoner's billfold. Sitting at his desk in the jailhouse, Tweedy shot the man behind bars a quick glance, then tossed the wallet onto the clutter of paper before him. He opened the top drawer, rifled through the article clippings, and found the one that had started it all.