This novella-prequel to The Brides of Paradise Ranch series-was originally published as part of the Love's Prelude box set. Elizabeth Ayers is done with her stuffy, city life. Engaged to a man who couldn't care less about her to further her father's business dealings, she longs for adventure and the chance to see the newly opened West. But time is running out as her wedding draws near and the walls of her constricted world close in on her... Howard Haskell is a man who knows what he wants, and from the moment he sees Elizabeth across a Cincinnati ballroom, he wants her. The rules of society are meant to be broken, as far as he's concerned, and regardless of disapproval on all sides, he sets out to win Elizabeth and make her his...in a matter of days... Fans of The Brides of Paradise Ranch and Hot on the Trail know just how much Howard enjoys a good competition. Using a contest to win his wife is no exception. Only, Howard is the ultimate rule-breaker...