Blue Jean Summer

Opposites become unlikely allies when a desperate cowboy needs to marry in order to save his grandfather's land.

Hayes Wilder needs to find a wife - pronto. After returning to the small town of Honey Hollow before his grandfather's death, he's shocked to learn that the sprawling Wilder Estate was left to him. All Hayes wants is the one thing money can't buy - more time with his grandfather. Failing that, he'll do whatever it takes to save his grandfather's legacy from falling into the wrong hands. Even if it means marrying in order to satisfy the terms of the will.

Catherine Foster, reigning Miss Virginia and former Honey Hollow native (who had a childhood crush on Hayes), is saddled with mountains of medical debt ever since her mother's death. Running out of time to figure out her next move, Catherine reconnects with Hayes at his grandfather's funeral.

Hayes and Catherine impulsively strike a bargain: He'll pay off her debts, but only if they get married. Despite the situation, Hayes and Catherine look forward to getting to know each other as adults - after the wedding. Which is tougher than anticipated when the entire town has eyes on them and his half brother keeps circling the property like a vulture, determined to poke holes in their marriage.

Most troubling of all, this pair may have miscalculated how much they have in common - enough for this cowboy to fall in love for real.

Blue Jean Summer by Maggie Gates captures the essence of unexpected alliances and the complexity of emotions that unfold amid life-altering decisions.