The Cranbury Troublemaker — Maureen Lang

Trouble is coming to Cranbury! Can a tavern keeper win the heart of a temperance girl? Perhaps so, if she didn't already hate him for the grievous mistake he made when they were young. Meli Atherton has always lived on the outskirts of Cranbury-both literally and socially. When the one person she's hated since she was ten years old returns, intent on opening a tavern, she eagerly joins the women's protest against his unwanted business. Dane Wardman wants to offer a place of rest and comfort for the hardworking men of Cranbury. That, and perhaps find forgiveness for a blunder that still haunts him-not that Meli appears ready to offer that forgiveness. Soon it's not only their quarrel ringing through the once tranquil little town. Everyone in Cranbury takes sides about Dane's new barroom, pitting neighbor against neighbor, husband against wife. How will they ever settle their differences? And will Meli and Dane forget their mistakes and disagreements to make room for their growing love? All Cranbury Chronicles are stand-alone romantic novels, so it's not necessary to read them in any particular order.