Lauren McBride can't wait to see Garrit Lassiter. The fifteen year old redhead has been in love with the young rancher as long as she can remember. Wicked stepmother, Clare will do what she can to make life miserable for Lauren, and that includes having Lauren's father forbidding the girl to see Garrit. Clare manages to get her way and has Lauren sent to Savannah to learn to be a lady.

Garrit has always had a softspot for Lauren, but he'd rather wait for her to grow up before he confesses his feelings for her. After all, she may not feel the same about him. Four years later, he's surprised to see the beautiful lady she's become. She doesn't know it yet, but through The Agreement with Thomas McBride, Lauren is about to become a Lassiter. How is Lauren going to react when she learns of the deal?

Constance O' Banyon continues the Secret Fires series with the story of Thomas McBride's only daughter. When two people know they love the other, but don't say anything, a lot of problems and misunderstandings are created. Toss in a wicked stepmother, a dying father who still controls the family from his bed, and a Spaniard bent on revenge, and you have outside problems which seem impossible to surmount.

As the third writer in this series, Ms O 'Banyon explores the life of the next family member and continues to bring previous members into play. As the McBride family is slowly reunited and growing through marriages, you have to wonder what ol' Thomas is ultimately up to. Every family member hates him for his past manipulations and sees nothing changing despite Thomas' terminal illness.

Whether good or bad, the characters in these stories are compelling and keep you reading to the last page. Lauren and Garrit are no exception. Will they stay around long enough to gain their inheritance and keep Clare from gaining the Circle M Ranch for herself? Will eldest son Stone return to the fold?

Enjoy Garrit and Lauren's story, as love and determination override The Agreement.