Lucky Creek Lady — Shirley Kennedy

Pampered, fun-loving Laurie Sinclair hates everything about the rough, ugly mining town of Lucky Creek, California. She only left Philadelphia because her wealthy father opened the Monarch Gold Mine -- and because Brandon, the man she'd hoped to marry, sent her away. But when Brandon changes his mind, she's ready to pack her bags -- until her father is suddenly killed in a mine explosion, and her brother is badly injured . . .

As troubles mount for the Sinclairs, including a ruinous unexpected debt, they save themselves by selling half their mine ownership to Darcy McKenna, a friend of Laurie's late father. Brusque and brooding, Darcy is the opposite of exuberant Laurie. Yet as Laurie stays on to help him in the office, Darcy soon finds himself smiling and happier, while Laurie finds her interests are changing. She might even be falling for Darcy. But her heart won't truly be tested until Brandon shows up -- and throws her life into chaos . . .