From Bridal Designer to Bride

by Kandy Shepherd

  She cleared Security and watched out for...well, someone who looked like herself. And there she was: black hair like hers but chopped short and spiky, wearing urban chic black jeans and boots. And a huge smile.

  Her sister. The sister Josh had found for her. She hadn’t appreciated just what he’d done and the conflicting loyalties he’d had to struggle with, the integrity with which he had treated both her and Tori. Only now, meeting her twin and realising the incredible odds against having found her, did she realise just how grateful she should have been to Josh. Instead she had pushed him away. And wounded herself in the process. But she couldn’t think about that now. She was in Boston. She would have to swallow her pride and seek him out. Grovel a little—okay, grovel a lot. And hope he would give her the second chance she’d refused to give him. Even if only to be friends as they had Tori in common.

  She and Tori hugged, then drew back to look at each other and exclaim at their resemblance and then hugged again. Tears flowed too, happy and emotional.

  ‘I didn’t think we’d look quite so alike,’ Tori said. ‘It’s uncanny. Even the video chat didn’t give the complete story. Our height, the way we move, our expressions.’

  ‘The full dimension. If we’d grown up together, can you imagine the fun we would have had swapping places and tricking people?’ Eloise said.

  ‘Oh, yes!’ said Tori, laughing. Her laugh was like an echo of Eloise’s own. ‘We would have been menaces.’

  ‘We were cheated of that childhood,’ Eloise said slowly. ‘I wonder why?’

  ‘I couldn’t find out why the adoption agency split us up.’

  ‘I guess they had their reasons. But it turned out well for both of us, didn’t it?’ Eloise said. She couldn’t stop smiling.

  ‘We were both so blessed with our adoptive families,’ said Tori.

  ‘We were indeed. And now we’ve found each other.’

  ‘With no intention of ever losing one another again.’

  Arms around each other, they walked towards the area where Tori must have parked her car. A few people did a double take when they saw them together and Eloise and her sister laughed. ‘There might be possibilities for us to be menaces still,’ Eloise said. They both giggled. In harmony.

  When they’d stopped laughing, Tori spoke. ‘There’s someone I want you to meet. A friend of mine.’

  ‘A bride in need of a dress?’

  ‘No, a guy friend.’

  Eloise stopped her with a hand on her arm. ‘Please, Tori, that’s sweet of you, but I really don’t want to be set up with anyone. Seriously. I’m happy on my own. I don’t have time to date or the inclination.’ Or the heart. No one could compare to Josh.

  ‘This guy’s a really good friend and...’

  And then Eloise saw him. Her heart jolted. Josh.

  He saw her at the same time and he stared, momentarily transfixed. Then he strode towards them. ‘Tori, what the hell—?’

  All Eloise’s denials of her feelings for him, all the anger she’d tried to build up for him deceiving her, were lost in a rush of sheer joy. Josh. Josh, even more handsome than she remembered him in a dark, charcoal business suit.

  Frowning, he looked to her then to Tori and back to her. He’d been set up. He obviously had no idea why he was here. A well-meaning yet clumsy attempt by her sister to force them together? She wanted to cringe with the humiliation of it. Then she looked at Josh, really looked at him. And saw the same emotions she was trying to control herself reflected in his hazel eyes. And, strangely, he didn’t look as if he wanted to be anywhere but here.

  ‘This is my friend Josh Taylor,’ said Tori, as if Eloise had never met the man before. Or made love with him, or laughed with him, or teased him as she’d pinned him into a tuxedo.

  Tori continued. ‘Josh is an excellent friend. The absolute best. He actually found you for me, my long-lost twin. He saw you in a magazine and realised we must be related. Although I think there’s actually more to it than that. Josh saw something in that Australian fashion designer that absolutely fascinated him. What he didn’t expect was that when he actually met her—at my request—he’d be so madly attracted to her he’d go right off plan in his pursuit of her. Until it wasn’t as much about Josh finding my twin for me but about Josh finding the ideal woman for him.’

  Eloise swallowed hard against a sudden lump in her throat. She looked up at Josh. ‘Is that what happened?’ she asked him.

  The busy airport around her faded away. Even Tori disappeared. It was just him and her and that connection that had been there from the get go, which she’d done her best to sever with her own insecurities and fears.

  ‘Sounds accurate,’ he said, his gaze on her face as if he’d been starved of the sight of her for too long. Something that had been shrivelled and frozen deep inside her since she’d watched him walk out of her apartment started to warm and thaw. Her heart.

  ‘Then Josh somehow lost his ideal woman and I don’t really know why.’ Tori turned to Josh. ‘But I think he could tell you that better than I could.’ She looked at her watch in an exaggerated manner. ‘Heck, I’ve got to go and see a lady about a cake. Josh, could you get Eloise to the trattoria for me? No rush. In your own time. You okay with that, Eloise? We can catch up later.’

  Eloise nodded. Bemused, she watched her sister stride away. ‘Is she always like that?’

  ‘She’s her own woman. Like you. And she’s got it into her head it’s her fault that I lost you. Whereas I did a perfectly good job of doing that on my own.’

  ‘You didn’t lose me, Josh. I misjudged you. Behaved stupidly. And didn’t trust in what we had together.’

  ‘I didn’t fully recognise what we’d found. Because I’d never felt it before. Too used to being fuelled by bitterness and revenge I guess.’

  She smiled at that. ‘I’ve done pretty well on the bitterness front myself,’ she said. ‘There I was, lecturing you about the kind side of life, and I was so mean to you.’

  Over and over again she’d gone over that final confrontation in her living room, scented with his beautiful roses. ‘I cannot believe I told you that you were “beside the point”.’ She shuddered. ‘I’m surprised you’re even talking to me.’

  ‘It wounded me, I won’t deny it. But you were in shock. I’ve thought about it a lot. That day. A call from a sister you didn’t know existed. Your world knocked off its axis. I wouldn’t—I don’t—blame you for anything you said. I should have handled it better. Stuck around in Sydney, for one thing. So I’d be there if you needed me. To talk you through things. Helped you understand what had happened.’

  ‘But I pushed you away.’

  ‘I shouldn’t have gone. I’ve been miserable without you.’

  She looked up at him. ‘I’ve been miserable without you too. Utterly miserable. Every minute of every day. I think the word might be heartbroken. And I’m so grateful to Tori for engineering this meeting.’

  ‘She didn’t need to trick me into seeing you. I’ve got a ticket to fly out to Sydney tomorrow.’

  ‘But you said you’d never visit Sydney again.’

  ‘I said a lot of things I didn’t mean. And left unsaid too many others.’

  ‘Like what, Josh?’ She had a few words left unsaid of her own. She held her breath for his answer.

  He cupped her face in his hands and looked deeply into her eyes. ‘That I love you, Ellie.’

  She let out her breath on a sigh of happiness. ‘Funnily enough, those are the exact same words I left unsaid. I love you too, Josh. So much. I feared I was falling in love with you at Silver Trees, but I realise I was already head over heels.’

  ‘You’ve got nothing to fear now, darling Ellie.’

  At last he took her in his arms and his kiss was long and tender, at the same time hinting at the passion she knew could ignite so quickly. But, while they were in a busy arri
vals hall, where no one would look askance at a couple kissing, she’d rather take the kiss further, which meant going somewhere more appropriate. Like his apartment. She would suggest they detour there on the way to Tori’s family trattoria, where a welcome lunch was planned for her.

  ‘Another thing, Josh.’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘Did you enjoy being my fake fiancé?’

  ‘Very much so. I’ve never enjoyed myself as much as at the wedding at Silver Trees.’

  She took a deep breath. ‘Would you consider being my fiancé for real?’

  He didn’t look the slightest bit perturbed by her proposal. ‘On one condition,’ he said. ‘Two, in fact.’

  ‘What would they be?’

  ‘One that we get our own engagement ring. A ring that’s significant just to us that we choose together. You can wear your grandma’s ruby on your other hand if you like.’

  ‘Yes. I’d like that. And the other condition?’

  ‘That you be my real-life wife as soon as we can possibly get married. I don’t want to wait.’

  Joy bubbled through her. ‘Yes to that too. I can’t think of anything I’d like better. If anyone can organise a wedding in a hurry, it’s me. I’ve got all the contacts.’

  ‘We’ve wasted enough time apart. Let’s get on with our lives together, starting from now.’ And he kissed her again.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Another three weeks later

  ELOISE’S WEDDING DAY. Her twin sister, Tori, and her best friend, Vinh, as her bridesmaids. Josh waiting for her at the altar of the beautiful old sandstone church near Bowral with Tori’s two brothers, Ty and Tate, beside him. Eloise thought it couldn’t be more perfect. Except her father wasn’t there. But her mother was here in the vestibule of the church with her, ready to walk her down the aisle, and she was so grateful for that.

  Vinh fussed around her, smoothing and tucking her gown into place. Vinh had helped her design it. Made in heavy white silk, with a full skirt, a stand-up neckline and long, heavy lace sleeves, it gave a nod to her beloved nineteen-fifties vintage style, but was very much a contemporary masterpiece from Eloise Evans Atelier. There was, of course, a detachable train, glistening with crystals, harking back to her mermaid days.

  ‘I’ve never seen a more beautiful wedding dress,’ Tori said wistfully. ‘If I ever meet a guy I want to marry, can you make me one just like it, please?’

  ‘I’ll make you whatever dress you’d like,’ Eloise said.

  She and Tori had further bonded through tales of their lacklustre love lives. Pre-Josh, of course, for her. Tori had a huge crush on one of the customers of her bakery, a wealthy architect, but had never done anything about it.

  ‘As alike this one as you can make it, please,’ Tori said. ‘It’s my dream dress.’

  ‘Mine too,’ said Eloise, giving her sister a quick at-arm’s-length hug so as not to disturb her dress and veil.

  The organ started to play the wedding march. Her mother took her arm. ‘Time to walk up that aisle, sweetie,’ she said. ‘There’s a good man waiting for you at the altar.’ Josh had won her mother over completely and reassured her she would always be welcome to visit, and that they would be in Sydney often.

  ‘I know,’ Eloise said simply.

  Tori walked first, then Vinh, and finally Eloise started her journey up the aisle of the church full of family and friends towards the man she adored. She realised it was happening just as she’d hoped it would all those years ago before she’d let herself get cynical. Love at first sight. Moonbeams and roses. And a walk up the aisle to where Mr Perfect was waiting for her. All set for the happy-ever-after that awaited them.

  So many times at so many weddings, she’d watched for the groom to catch his first sight of his bride. Now she was waiting to see when Josh first saw her. He did not disappoint. Love and wonder and awe shone from his eyes. Her heart turned over and she hoped he saw love and trust and joy in hers as she held his gaze. Her husband-to-be.

  * * *

  Josh placed the platinum wedding band on the third finger of Eloise’s left hand above her exquisite diamond ring as he promised to love, honour and cherish her for as long as they both did live. His wife. Then he smiled at her as she placed the matching wide band on his ring finger. In fact, he couldn’t stop smiling. ‘I love you,’ she whispered. When the priest pronounced them man and wife, he thought his heart would burst with pride and love.

  This was what a kinder life was about. Love. Friendship. Family. Not that he would stop making millions. It was in his nature to strive and succeed, be ruthless when he needed to be. But everything he did would be for Eloise and the children they hoped to have. Not for an ill-placed, unhealthy revenge.

  When the priest said he could kiss the bride, he didn’t want to stop.

  * * *

  Eloise had followed the newer custom of changing into another less formal white gown for the reception, which was being held at Silver Trees, thanks to the generosity of Becca and Simon. It was easy for her to have two dresses—after all, she owned two branches of her atelier. Or she would soon when Eloise Evans Atelier, Boston, opened in the exclusive shopping area on Newbury Street.

  The timing had been perfect. She’d taken Vinh into partnership with her for the Double Bay branch, while she would work between Sydney and Boston. She and Josh would live in his Seaport apartment while they looked for a house near the North End. She’d be near her twin too.

  There was another reason she had chosen to wear a second dress. Her bridal gown was now carefully wrapped in acid-free tissue paper and boxed for Tori to take home with her to Boston. She sought her out, to tell her it was waiting for her in her room.

  ‘It’s a good luck wedding dress, I just know it,’ Eloise said. ‘We’re the same size. Take it home with you. I had to learn to trust and open my heart to love. Go after your dream man, the architect. What’s his name again?’

  ‘Clay Ramos. But Ellie, I’m not sure—’

  ‘Who knows what might happen? And the dress will be ready for you if it does.’

  She hugged her twin, already so loved. She might not see her again until she got back to Boston when she and Josh returned from their honeymoon on a luxury tropical island in far north Queensland.

  Josh was over near the table where their magnificent wedding cake—whipped up by Tori—was displayed. He’d been talking to his Melbourne friends and fellow billionaires, Courtney and Shawn. Now he was chatting with his mother, who had defied her husband to travel to Australia to attend her younger son’s wedding. His Aunt Lily was here somewhere too.

  ‘You know, I was just telling Mom that the only person—well, not a person—we love who’s missing from our wedding celebration is Daisy the dog.’

  ‘Funny you should say that,’ Eloise said. ‘My mother has darling Daisy in her room, with Becca’s permission, of course. I thought I’d surprise you by having her at the church but she’s still too nervous around a crowd.’

  Her move to Boston had made it problematic to adopt Daisy. But her mother had fallen in love with the little dog and decided to adopt her instead, which was nearly as good.

  ‘So Daisy is the dog who introduced you?’ Josh’s mother asked. Eloise had liked her immediately and looked forward to having her at their home in Boston.

  ‘In a manner of speaking, yes. She will still be part of our lives when we spend time in Sydney. And we can say goodbye to her before we leave.’ Tori had already lined her up as a foster carer for a dog rescue organisation in Boston.

  ‘Sounds like the perfect wedding all round,’ said Josh. ‘Here, where it all started for us.’

  ‘It’s the start of our perfect life together as husband and wife,’ she said, lifting her face for his kiss.

  * * *

  Look out for the next story in the How to Make a Wedding duet

  From Tropical Flin
g to Forever

  by Nina Singh

  Coming soon!

  And if you enjoyed this story, check out these other great reads from Kandy Shepherd

  Their Royal Baby Gift

  One Night with Her Millionaire Boss

  Falling for the Secret Princess

  Keep reading for an excerpt from Surprise Heir for the Princess by Kate Hardy.

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  Surprise Heir for the Princess

  by Kate Hardy

  CHAPTER ONE

  THE VIEW FROM the ferry was almost enough to persuade Liam to give up portraits for landscape photography. A milky turquoise sea reflecting the deep red ball of the setting sun, a sky that looked almost airbrushed from hazy blue at the horizon to deep peach at the top, and the sun itself starting to dip behind the silhouetted island of San Rocello. He’d never seen anything so gorgeous.

  But he wasn’t here on holiday; he was here to take the official photographs of Princess Vittoria di Sarda, before her grandfather stepped down and she took over as the ruler of the little Mediterranean kingdom.

  Although Liam’s discussions with the king’s private secretary had gone some way to reassuring him that he’d been chosen on the merit of his work, the commission still felt a bit like nepotism. The princess’s younger sister Isabella happened to be his own little sister Saoirse’s best friend, and he knew that Izzy had suggested him to her grandfather for the job.

  He took a deep breath. This flutter of nerves was absolutely ridiculous. He’d photographed plenty of people for upmarket magazines and Sunday supplements, including A-list celebrities and high-ranking politicians. Some of his work hung in the National Portrait Gallery in London. And he’d honed his social skills during his apprenticeship, so he was comfortable mixing at any level of society.