Shotgun Wedding - Maggie Osborne

• Author: Maggie Osborne
• Publisher: Ivy
• Year: 2003
• Setting: Set in the Colorado Territory in the late 1800s.
• ISBN: 0804119910

Annie Malloy and Sheriff Jesse John Harden are the main protagonists of this work.

Annie is a "New Modern Woman." She has become pregnant, and is not married. The father is an outlaw, that was exciting when she was rebelling against the strictures of society; however, when reality comes crashing in on her, she realizes that she cannot marry an outlaw, or allow an outlaw to raise her child.

Jesse is the illegitimate son of a "New Modern Woman" before the phrase was even coined. He knows what it is like to be raised without a father, and has the mental and emotional scars to prove it. He is a good man, son, sheriff.

Ione Harden, Jesse's Mother, is an intricate part of the story. She is an amazing woman, that through life and her own choices, has hoed a hard row, but raised a wonderful son, in Jesse.

Through some mistaken town gossip, people believe that Jesse is the Father of Annie's baby. Jesse, because he was interested in Annie far before she became pregnant; and because of his experiences as an illegitimate child, wants to marry Annie. Annie fights the offer, but ultimately gives in.

Jesse and Annie go through trials and tribulations, but also wonderful times before the end of the story. We see both grow into even more wonderful individuals.