Never Wager with a Wallflower

After years of hard work and focus, Galahad Sinclair has finally found the location for his dream gaming hall. The only hitch is the building’s neighbor—an orphanage, where pious Miss Venus “Vee” Merriwell teaches. Realizing that he’s going to have to unthaw his uneasy truce with Vee if he wants to keep the peace and have any hope of one day buying the orphanage’s building to expand, Gal figures that helping Vee with her latest suitor is a good starting place. Vee is certain that the happiest version of her future is with a man who avoids scandals, can converse openly and intelligently, supports her choices about the orphanage and, most importantly, respects her as a person. When Gal starts helping—rather than needling—her, Vee is surprised how many of his traits match her ideals. Long-simmering sparks flare between them, but Gal’s ingrained secrecy runs counter to Vee’s determination to avoid settling for an unworthy suitor, compelling them to reconsider their individual goals to find a shared future.