Book excerpt: 1891 . . . Jolene Crawford Crenshaw, heiress and Boston socialite, was suddenly a widow with little money and just her pride and secrets to keep her upright. Texas oil man, Max Shelby needs a wife to guide his carefree young daughter and to advance his political ambitions. When his sister mentions a recent widow, charming, beautiful and socially astute, but in reduced circumstances, Max signs the wedding contract sight unseen.