Running from the Past — Annie Boone

This book was originally published in the mulit-author set 19 Brides for 19 Cowboys

Emma Milton hates her life. She's married to a man she was basically sold to. He's a drunk and he's abusive. She has to hide every penny she earns at the mercantile, to keep him from taking it to buy whiskey.

She ends up a widow by way of murder. She can't mourn this man who was never anything more than trouble for her. When she thinks her life can finally improve, she finds out otherwise. She has no choice but to get out of town fast.

Patrick Simpson had advertised for a wife, but he wasn't ready to make a decision yet. Would Emma's sudden appearance in Reno help him decide?