After the death of their mother, Letha Harrison and her younger sister travel by sternwheeler to be reunited with their estranged brother. On the trip they are befriended by a charismatic, virile Bas Slocum. His strength gives her the security she's longed for, when their brother proves to be a drunk. Bas' touch ignites desires she'd only dreamed about. Wanting to believe he could be the first man in her life she can trust, Letha ignores the nagging feeling he has a secret.

Bas Slocum is happy with his life. He gambles, makes money on real estate deals, and answers only to himself. His outlook on life changes the day he meets Letha - an angel wearing a Temperance ribbon - and her sister. Letha's devotion to her sister and the harshness of her past endear her to his heart, while her sweet kisses and soft body inflame his passion. Fear of losing her engulfs him as he tries to find a way to tell her he owns the Rusty Wheel saloon.

Gambling On An Angel

Romantic tales of the old West

His chest ached. He had to tell her - even if she never talked to him. The thought of never seeing her or Lottie again filled him with panic.

He stopped, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her; pouring all the fear and feelings he had into the kiss.

Letha clung to Bas as he crushed her to him and kissed her as though they would never see one another again. She sensed his anger and fear. As well as the love he tried so hard to deny. She had no idea why he felt this way, but she would do anything within her power to lessen his pain.

Pulling her head back, she grasped his face in her hands. “I’ll always be here for you. No matter what.”

The anguish and fear in his eyes said he didn’t believe her.

She gently shook his head. “I don’t know what you are withholding from me, but it would never make me think any less of you.”

He growled and pulled her to him, clutching her as if someone were going to come along and tear her away from him.

“If only I had the strength to tell you,” he whispered and kissed her forehead. “Please don’t ever hate me. I couldn’t bear it.”