A Claim On Trouble

Adina Lowry comes to Bristle Creek with one purpose: file her homestead claim in her own name and build a life no man can sell, shame, or steal. But the quarter-section she claims holds more than grass and mud. Its creek crossing could become the freight gate wealthy Corbin Strake wants to control, and he is willing to use gossip, raised prices, false concern, legal pressure, sabotage, and fire to drive her off it.
Oren Maddox is the man who turns around, asks for one moment of insanity, and kisses Adina like not doing so would break something holy inside him. But desire is not enough. If he wants to stand beside her, he must learn restraint, record truth instead of rage, and help without making her claim look like his. As Bristle Creek watches, Adina turns receipts, witnesses, damaged boards, and morning smoke into proof.
Her claim is not won easily. Her love is not surrendered cheaply. And trouble, for once, must come to ground already claimed.