Dear Reader,

      Marriage – a legal union that can be the best and most joyous relationship, or it can be as volatile as dynamite in a burning building. When two contrasting forces are locked together in a marriage of convenience the relationship loses all convenience, and sparks fly.

      I was interested in a story with characters whose goals in life were totally different. As you turn the pages of Wed to the Texan, you will meet Jake Thorne, a commanding, handsome billionaire who is impelled to obtain even more riches, and Emily Carlisle, whose purpose in life is to help others.

      Jake is a driven, strong-willed charmer who will use deceit to add to his fortune…until he meets Emily, who is unlike any other woman he’s known. While their passion rages hot and wild, the clash of wills is fierce. In spite of their differences, the two cannot resist each other.

      Thank you for your interest in the PLATINUM GROOMS: Jake, and his friends Nick and Ryan.

       Sara Orwig

      To Melissa and Maureen and other angels in my life –

      thank you, thank you for being there!

      Prologue

      To get what he wanted, Jake Thorne knew he had to marry soon. Shifting uneasily in his brown leather desk chair, he gazed out the twenty-fifth-story office window. Tall buildings, then trees and homes filled the distance until the horizon blended with the Dallas sky. How was he going to find a wife who suited him in the next few weeks?

      There were plenty of women in his life, but none he had a shred of interest in developing a long-term relationship with—much less marrying. Particularly under the circumstances. Too many of them only wanted a luxurious life and social status. His last relationship had ended miserably and resulted in dating burnout. If he married, he had to find someone who wasn’t after his money and all that went with it.

      Jake’s thoughts were interrupted by one of his secretaries on the intercom asking if he could sign some papers. As Emily Carlisle entered, he gave her a swift glance and realized her brown hair had grown long enough to pile on her head. He’d long ago thought she might as well come to work in a uniform. As far as he knew, her entire wardrobe consisted of cotton blouses and straight skirts in bland colors. Functional and attractive like wallpaper, she blended into the office decor. He paid little attention to her except over matters concerning his work. He did know the glasses she wore were fake. Once, when he’d quizzed her about going without them half of the time, she admitted she bought them to make herself look older. Emily was quiet, pleasant and one of the most efficient secretaries he had, so he didn’t care if she came to work wearing burlap. Although she’d worked for him for several years, he had no idea if there was a man in her life. Nor did he care.

      She brought a stack of letters and reports to him, which he gave a cursory glance and began to sign. As soon as he was finished, she handed him a couple of pink slips.

      “You have two calls. The messages were on my machine when I arrived this morning. Kalas Jaskowski and Miranda Gable.”

      “Set a phone appointment with Jaskowski,” he said.

      Miranda was probably inviting him to one of her parties and would like to rekindle a relationship he had no interest in. “Tell Miranda I’m leaving soon for Australia and I’ll call her when I return. I’ll be out of the country for two weeks starting next week on the first of February.”

      “The trip is on your calendar,” Emily replied, and then reminded him of his schedule for the day, listing his meetings.

      “Later today, when I’ve finished my appointments, I want to shut myself in here. I have contracts to go over and a report to write. I don’t want any calls or interruptions and I’ll need some typing done.”

      “Fine,” she said, gathering papers. He forgot about her before she was even out of the room.

      It was late in the afternoon when Jake’s last appointment finished and he had his office to himself again. Finally he’d have solitude to read the contracts. He still had typing for Emily to do, and he realized he was keeping her overtime, but she’d said it didn’t matter.

      At six, Jake grabbed his gray suit coat and headed for the door. He was surprised to spot Emily still busy at her computer. He strode over to her desk. “We’re through, Emily. Go home.”

      She smiled. “I’m getting something ready for morning.”

      He reached down and pulled the plug on her computer. “Get your things. I’ll take you to dinner with me.”

      Emily’s wide blue eyes looked startled. “You don’t need to—”

      “I know I don’t. Are you free this evening?”

      “Yes,”