The Law & Love

August, 1994

Chicago lawyer Sharon Wildey had known Oregon rancher Richard Springs III nine weeks when she brought up marriage. Springs proposed and they chose a $19,000 engagement ring. He also opened a checking account in Chicago and gave Wildey signed blank checks from it. She promptly wrote herself a $6000 loan. But Springs soon came to feel that the thrice-married Wildey and her children did little to make him feel part of the family. Wildey wouldn't discuss it. Six weeks after he proposed, Springs wrot...