The Marriage He Demands

Jackson pairs a businessman and a small-town rancher in her steamy but predictable second Westmoreland Legacy: The Outlaws romance (after The Wife He Needs). After Cash Outlaw’s mother dies, he inherits the portion of her Black Crow, Wyo., land encompassing Blazing Frontier Dude Ranch. The remaining 50 acres and foreman’s home go to her former caretaker, the alluring Brianna Banks. Cash initially plans to sell the property, but Brianna convinces him to visit first, and the other Outlaw siblings agree to invest should Cash reopen the ranch. But when Cash decides to stay, he discovers he’ll need access to Brianna’s 50 acres in order to make the dude ranch work. The pair come up with an unorthodox agreement: Brianna wants a baby and, after a sour experience with a sperm bank, offers to give Cash the land if he acts as her sperm donor. But Cash wants to be a part of the child’s life and agrees only if they get married. Jackson handles familiar tropes well, but leaves the story somewhat lacking by relying on physical attraction, rather than emotional connection, to drive the plot forward. Still, the explosive chemistry will be enough to please many romance fans. (Apr.)