I'm very sorry about the loss of your pet. I hope you will look at rescue again; there are many wonderful organizations that have fluffy friends waiting for homes. Reputable breeders don't breed mixes, they breed to improve the breed line, and are far more concerned about the health and safety of their puppies than about cost, but they do want to make sure that the dog goes to a good home so price is not a good indicator of the quality of the breeder.
I urge you to look at your local animal shelters, Northcentral Maltese Rescue, American Maltese Association Rescue, and others to find your next fluff.