Jolie’s Joy by Cat Cahill

When he inherited a ranch, he didn’t expect a bride to be part of the deal.

When Cade Harris receives word that his older brother has passed away and left him a ranch, he pushes aside his grief and decides to take on the ranch himself. But when he arrives at the plot of land outside Crest Stone, Colorado, he finds a half-built house and cattle that have long since run off. And if that wasn’t enough, his brother’s bride-to-be arrives.
Jolie Taylor always preferred studying the stars in the sky and the plants on earth to making the rounds of society. But when she loses her father and every comfort she’s known, she accepts the help of Mrs. Crenshaw and her mail-order bride agency. Before long, she finds herself on a train to Colorado, prepared to marry rancher Lucas Harris.
Obligated to fulfill his brother’s promise, Cade agrees to marry Jolie. He hopes they can build a life together. But Jolie is easily distracted by the land around them, and worse, she’s determined to help the sheriff find out who murdered Cade’s brother. Cade knows the search is pointless. It won’t bring Lucas back, and acknowledging what happened will only make it harder for Cade to move on.

If Jolie gives up, justice will never be served, and they may find themselves in danger. But if she continues searching, Cade may never forgive her–and she’ll lose the man she’s come to love.

Jolie’s Joy is part of the multi-author Westward Home and Hearts Mail-Order Brides series. It can be read as a standalone novel or enjoyed as part of the series.