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	To Love A Gambler By: Hoffman, Jennifer Lynn Published By: Awe-Struck E-Books ePub for Digital Editions Price: $4.99 PDF for Digital Editions Price: $4.99 Mobipocket Reader Price: $4.99 Microsoft Reader Price: $4.99 Available to read online in eb20 (what's this?) PDF for Digital EditionsePub for Digital EditionsMobipocket ReaderMicrosoft Reader	EBOOK OPTIONS ADD TO CART ADD TO WISHLIST TELL A FRIEND RECEIVE ALERTS
	With nothing left but a broken down claim, one moldy potato, and a soul that has been weathered and beaten by hardship, it is clear to 19th century woman, Cora Sullivan, where she must turn for help. Having faced starvation the year before only to learn the ways of gambling from her childhood love and dearest friend, she is not na+ve to her predicament. She survived once on her winnings and having come from a cruel winter that claimed her father, she has only one hope. Either she returns to gambling or she will face starvation. As she is collecting her initial winnings, a nicely dressed gentleman asks to join the next game and takes the seat next to Cora. She is attracted to his handsome dark looks as well as the mystery of his cautious gaze and distant behavior. Silently, she wonders if he stays awake at night fretting over his demons as she does hers. The stranger is not to be put off so easily and before Cora knows it, she has lost another game. With nothing left but a few coins, she bets the last thing of any value she owns to stay in the next game . . .her father's claim. The game ends, to Cora's horror, with the stranger taking the pot and her claim as the prize. Numb from her loses, Cora leaves the gaming hall to face an unknown future. Jared Matthews is on the run from a murder charge . . .a murder he did not commit. He is charged with murdering his mistress and after a year of running, he stops in Montana Territory. He has spent all of his money and is left only to gamble in the hopes of winning enough to continue with his travels before he is caught and murdered. Seeing the woman bet the last thing she has, her home, releases a sense of protectiveness from some mysterious part of Jared, and he does his best to save her from ruin. Unfortunately, he fails. He came to the gaming hall to win money and leaves with the last thing he ever wanted . . .the woman's claim. Though he has vowed to never remain in one place long enough to get to know anyone, Jared is intrigued by the power of the emotions this woman causes him to feel. It isn't long before he convinces himself that staying for a few days wouldn't harm anything. He convinces Cora to stay with him at the claim for a small salary. Cora and Jared's attraction builds, making even the most unintentional touch excruciating. And finally, they have their first passionate kiss. A kiss that leaves them both feeling as though they have found where they belong. A kiss that they both vow, should never happen again.

Excerpt

Jared watched the woman stare warily at her dwindling pile of winnings and heard the breath rush from her lungs. He'd been in gaming halls long enough to recognize a desperate gambler when he saw one. Perhaps she would see his desperation as well though the years of gambling had taught him to hide his feelings. Either way, he had only one choice in the matter. If he didn't make enough off these games to leave, he'd risk being caught and murdered. Everything was riding on this game. "You shouldn't stare. Lay down your cards and show us what you have." Jared smiled at the irritation in the woman's voice and did as she'd requested. Never taking his eyes off her, he saw her shoulders slump as she uneasily glanced back to her small pile of money. Jared sensed the defeat burning through the woman's veins and knew only a thin line was separating her from total destruction. He'd seen many men fall from a game of cards and hadn't cared one bit toward their welfare. They were aware of what they were doing when they sat down at the table and this woman wasn't a fool either. However, her fall would make it painful for him. "The next hand will improve," he offered, trying to inspire her to the possibility. She met his gaze, her eyes dull with fear. "Perhaps." He grimaced, feeling his heart tighten in response to the desperation he saw in her gaze. How could he watch her destroy herself with a game of cards? Hell, if he had the money he'd give her whatever she needed. Jared sighed and ran his hand through his hair. For a moment he felt worthless. Not even a year ago, he'd had all the money he could ever want, and now he couldn't even afford to buy a second pair of trousers. He was at the end of his own rope and had nothing more than the clothes on his back. He glanced at the woman. If she continued, she wouldn't be any better off than he was. He leaned closer to prevent the other gamblers from hearing their conversation. "Ma'am, you could stop now before you lose everything." Her head snapped up to meet his gaze. In her eyes, he saw he was too late. "I already have. There's no reason to stop now." * * * Cora glanced down at her cards and took a deep breath. She had an ace-high flush and on any other day, she would bet high on this hand. Today was different. She nervously licked her lips and watched the other gamblers up the bets to an excruciating amount. She'd used all of her gold on the previous games and couldn't even finish this one with what little she had left. The knowledge sent a sickening feeling into the pit of her stomach. She had no other choice than to bet the last thing of value she possessed. When it was her turn to meet the last person's bet, the gamblers glanced curiously at her empty pile of winnings. If she didn't have enough money, she was out of the game. Mr. Baker raised a bushy eyebrow in her direction, obviously wondering what her next move would be, or even if she had one. "What'll it be, Missy?" he asked, his expression holding a tinge of satisfaction with her dilemma. She addressed the group of gamblers seated around the table. "I cannot finish this hand with gold or money. I have only one thing to offer." "What is it?" Mr. Baker asked, frowning suspiciously. Cora set her cards face down on the table and reached into the pocket of her skirt for a folded set of papers she never thought she would part with. She allowed the coolness of the papers to rest in her hand for a comforting moment, and then tossed them into the center of the table. "The papers to my father's claim."

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