SOLVED. Romance: early 1900s. H's a handyman on family farm & is younger than h. When h's parents are killed in a flash flood, h asks H to marry her so she doesn't have to live in town with her older sister and BIL. Read in early 90s. [s]

[Laura]

H had white-blonde hair. H wants to prove his worth, works hard, even after breaking his foot, earning the respect of the h and her father, as well as the grudging respect of h's mother.

I remember that the H had quite the chip on his shoulder, but the h and her father (before he was killed crossing a bridge after buying a new young horse) were willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. It was the h's kindness to the H that melted his heart. There was also a drought in the story. The reason h did not want to move in with her sister and her sister's husband is that she thinks she is in love with her BIL. She's not and actually comes to love and respect the hardworking handyman much more.

I remember that it was written by a husband/wife writing team who also did a sequel focusing on the H's sister. She had gotten pregnant out of wedlock by the town's . . . doctor? I think? and married a man that abused her. When he died, she walked back home. I didn't like that story quite as well as the first one.

[Simran]

It is the

[Laura]

Simran wrote: "It is the "

Yes! Yes! That's it! Oh, thank you so very much, Simran!! I've been wanting to find this book again for a long time. SOLVED!! :D

[Laura]

Lobstergirl -- You can shelve this one. Simran solved it for me in less than 48 hours! :D