"Sensible, settled, steady... And not Sadie Lassiter. Eli Reynolds knows what he wants in a wife, and the flighty Texas girls couldn't be further from the mark. Eli has his nine-year-old sister's welfare to consider--Penny deserves a mother who will give her proper care. But when bad weather strands Eli and Sadie together, he sees a new side to her character. She's rash--but also resourceful. Instead of discipline, she has diligent faith. Her housekeeping skills are lacking, but she's filled with humor and sweetness. She may not be a 'proper' wife, but to save her reputation--and to take a chance on happiness he'd never expected to find--Eli will take her as his bride."--P. [4] of cover.