Not That Kind of Girl
Page 29
“As fate would have it, Rick and Josie’s wedding was where Ginger met Lucio and Roxie met Eli. As most of us know, Ginger and Lucio’s grand romance began almost immediately, when she fainted into his arms because her bridesmaid’s dress was too tight.”
“The best night of my life!” Lucio called out, to applause.
Bea smiled. “However, Eli and Roxie weren’t looking for love. They didn’t want it. But one day, Roxie needed Eli, and when she asked for his help, he came running.” Bea paused for effect. “And he’s been chasing her ever since.”
Laughter coursed through the crowd, the loudest coming from the groom himself. The second loudest came from his sister, Sondra, the proud (and now very wealthy) head of the i-vomit-on-all-men empire. A movie loosely based on the Web site, starring Jennifer Aniston, was now in production.
“I’m just kidding about the chasing, of course,” Bea added, winking at Eli. “We knew they’d get around to making it official at some point—Eli and Roxie have always done things their own way, on their own timetable, enjoying every minute of the journey. Maybe that’s what makes them such a resilient couple. Every challenge has only brought them closer.”
It wasn’t Bea’s imagination. Most everyone assembled there on the ridge took that as their cue to steal a glance at Eli’s biological father, a bald old man with a cane who stood alone near the edge of the gathering, a cautious smile on his face. These days, Raymond Sandberg’s relationship with Eli was polite and distant, which seemed to work for all involved. It said a lot about the old bastard that he showed up here today, Bea thought. He’d lost his license to practice law—along with his looks—but somewhere along the way he’d gained some humility. Bea nodded to him in acknowledgment.
She took a deep breath. “Without further delay, it is my honor to serve as a witness to the love Eli and Roxie share, the love they’ve built with each other with patience, trust, and faith. The bride and groom will now say their vows.”
Bea moved back and to the side, as Eli and Roxie took center stage. They turned to each other in the warmth of the sunset and Bea was overwhelmed by the affection and certainty she saw in their faces.
“My beautiful Roxie Bloom, my lovely warrior priestess,” Eli said. “I will forever remember the day you and Lilith entered my life. I knew the second I walked through your door that I was taking on the challenge of a lifetime. Plus, I had to deal with Lilith.”
Roxie shook her head at him in mock annoyance, smiling the whole time.
“You have changed me forever, Roxanne. With you by my side, I know there is no obstacle that can’t be conquered, no joy that can’t be experienced. I thank you for choosing trust over fear, love over discord. Of all the men in this great big world, I thank you for choosing me.”
Roxie blinked rapidly, then shot Bea a look of panic. Bea tapped her pants pocket to reassure her she had the tissues.
“Roxanne, would you be my wife?”
“I will,” she said. Rocco handed Eli the ring. Eli reached for Roxanne’s left hand and slipped the gold band along the length of her slim finger. Bea made a grab for the tissues—for herself, not the bride.
Next, Roxanne took both of Eli’s hands in hers and focused on his eyes. Bea watched her friend’s panic simply melt away, to be replaced by a smile.
“Elias Jedidiah Gallagher, you came into my life as a patient and wise mentor. You became a lover and a friend and my partner in all things. You are a unique human being, created by chance, nurtured by love, and blessed with the gift of helping the creatures of this world.”
Roxanne nodded to collect herself, her chin trembling so slightly that Bea and Eli might have been the only ones to notice.
“Your love gave me courage, Eli,” Roxie went on. “Your love healed me. Your love settled my spirit. When I decided to give you another chance all those years ago, I gave myself another chance, as well.”
Roxie took the ring Rocco held out to her. She grasped Eli’s left hand and asked, “Eli, would you be my husband?”
“I will,” he said softly.
Bea blew her nose, too wrapped up in the moment to realize a lull had settled over the gathering.
“Psst.” The ring bearer jerked his thumb toward the couple.
“Oh!” Bea stepped forward again. She crammed the tissues into her pocket and cleared her voice.
“Clearly, Eli and Roxanne were blessed from the start, their union part of a plan too vast for any of us to understand. But it is my pleasure now to add my humble blessings, in front of friends and family and this never-ending sky. Eli and Roxanne, may you keep your feet on the ground and your hearts open to the mystery. By the power vested in me by the state of Utah, I pronounce you husband and wife.”
The couple turned toward the cheering crowd and basked in the celebration, their forms in relief against the flaming sunset. After a moment, Eli placed his hand on the small of Roxanne’s back, bent her away, and kissed her with such conviction that, but for a few audible sighs, the crowd went silent. They popped to a stand together, laughing.
The bride and groom motioned for the dogs to lead the way home. With hands intertwined, they took their first step forward.
Bea jolted in surprise when someone grabbed her left hand. It was Josie, who gazed at her with wet eyes and a huge smile. Ginger then snatched Bea’s right hand and pressed close to her friend’s side, grinning in delight. Together, the women watched in awe as their beautiful friend began her newest adventure.
Suddenly, Roxie turned, her face beaming, the breeze ruffling loose strands of her dark hair. She held out her hand to them, motioning for her friends to come along.
St. Martin’s Paperbacks Titles
by Susan Donovan
The Night She Got Lucky
Ain’t Too Proud to Beg
The Girl Most Likely To …
The Kept Woman
He Loves Lucy
Public Displays of Affection
Take a Chance on Me
Knock Me Off My Feet
Praise for the Novels of Susan Donovan
THE NIGHT SHE GOT LUCKY
“This second in Donovan’s stories of dog-walking friends is a wonderful combination of love and laughter, with serious moments as well as some intrigue. The animal characters are a delightful addition to the story.”
—RT Book Reviews
“The Night She Got Lucky is a sexy, sweet, and simply delicious contemporary romance.”
—Joyfully Reviewed
“A cute, funny, and sexy tale from beginning to end.”
—Romance Reviews Today
AIN’T TOO PROUD TO BEG
“Donovan whips up a fine frappe of romantic comedy and suspense.”
—Publishers Weekly
“A delightful new series.”
—RT BOOKreviews
“This is a terrific book and one that fans of Ms. Donovan, and new readers of first-class romantic comedies, don’t want to miss.”
—RTR Reviews
THE GIRL MOST LIKELY TO …
“An exceptional novel with humor and pathos and rich in detail, and the finely put-together characters make this a story worthy of our Perfect 10 award and a must-read. You’ll laugh, cry, and your heart will break over this brilliant story of a man and a woman—what most wondrous stories end up being about.”
—Romance Reviews Today
“A wonderfully convoluted tale of love lost and found, secret pregnancies and spousal abuse, Donovan’s latest shows us the healing power of forgiveness and the strength found in the love of family. It’s peopled with complex characters who learn much about themselves and those they love through the course of this compelling story.”
—RT BOOKreviews
THE KEPT WOMAN
A RITA Award finalist
“Sexy and funny. Donovan takes the marriage-of-convenience plot and gives it a fun update that will leave readers grinning.… these characters are filled with genuine warmth and charm.”
—RT BOO
Kreviews
HE LOVES LUCY
“A great book … terrific.”
—Fresh Fiction
“A fun and sexy ‘feel good’ story and a must title to add to your current romance reading list.”
—Bookloons
“A story of rioting emotions, wacky weight challenges, and lots of love. This is one story you will be sad to see end. Kudos to Donovan for creating such a believable and realistic story.”
—Fallen Angel Reviews
“He Loves Lucy has everything: humor, sweetness, warmth, romance, passion, and sexual tension; an uplifting message; a heroine every woman … can empathize with; and a hero to die for.”
—Romance Reviews Today
“An extraordinary read with intriguing characters and a wonderful plot … fantastic.”
—Romance Junkies
“Lucy is a humorous delight … fans will enjoy this fine look at one year of hard work to find love.”
—Midwest Book Review
“A great romance … a top-rate novel … with its unforgettable characters, wonderful plot, and excellent message, He Loves Lucy will go on my keeper shelf to be read and re-read a thousand times … Donovan has proven that she will have serious star power in the years to come.”
—Romance Reader at Heart
TAKE A CHANCE ON ME
2003 Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best
Contemporary Romance
“Comic sharpness … the humorous interactions among Thomas, Emma, and Emma’s quirky family give the book a golden warmth as earthy as its rural Maryland setting. But there are also enough explicit erotic interludes to please readers who like their romances spicy.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Donovan blends humor and compassion in this opposites-attract story. Sexy and masculine, Thomas fills the bill for the man of your dreams. Emma and Thomas deserve a chance at true love. Delightfully entertaining, Take a Chance on Me is a guaranteed good time.”
—Old Book Barn Gazette
“Full of humor, sensuality, and emotion with excellent protagonists and supporting characters … a wonderful tale. Don’t be afraid to take a chance on this one. You’ll love it.”
—Affaire de Coeur
“Impossible to put down … Susan Donovan is an absolute riot. You’re reading a paragraph that is so sexually charged you can literally feel the air snapping with electricity and the next second one of the characters has a thought that is so absurd … that you are laughing out loud. Susan Donovan has a very unique, off-the-wall style that should keep her around for many books to come. Do NOT pass this one up.”
—Romance Junkie Review
“Susan Donovan has created a vastly entertaining romance in her latest book Take a Chance on Me. The book has an ideal cast of characters … a very amusing, pleasurable read … all the right ingredients are there, and Ms. Donovan has charmingly dished up an absolutely fast, fun, and sexy read!”
—Road to Romance
KNOCK ME OFF MY FEET
“Spicy debut …[A] surprise ending and lots of playfully erotic love scenes will keep readers entertained.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Knock Me Off My Feet will knock you off your feet … Ms. Donovan crafts an excellent mixture to intrigue you and delight you. You’ll sigh as you experience the growing love between Autumn and Quinn and giggle over their dialogue. And you’ll be surprised as the story unfolds. I highly recommend this wonderfully entertaining story.”
—Old Book Barn Gazette
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
NOT THAT KIND OF GIRL
Copyright © 2010 by Susan Donovan.
All rights reserved.
For information address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
ISBN: 978-0-312-36606-3
St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition / December 2010
St. Martin’s Paperbacks are published by St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
eISBN 978-1-4299-2647-8
First St. Martin’s Press eBook Edition: November 2010
“SUSAN DONOVAN WILL STEAL YOUR HEART.”
—Christina Dodd, New York Times bestselling author
When it comes to modern love, no one does it better,
funnier, sweeter, or sexier …
Don’t miss these acclaimed novels by New York Times bestselling author
SUSAN DONOVAN
THE NIGHT SHE GOT LUCKY
ISBN: 978-0-312-36605-6
AIN’T TOO PROUD TO BEG
ISBN: 978-0-312-36604-9
THE GIRL MOST LIKELY TO …
ISBN: 978-0-312-93951-9
THE KEPT WOMAN
ISBN: 978-0-312-93950-2
HE LOVES LUCY
ISBN: 978-0-312-99233-0
PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION
ISBN: 978-0-312-99232-3
TAKE A CHANCE ON ME
ISBN: 978-0-312-98375-8
KNOCK ME OFF MY FEET
ISBN: 978-0-312-98374-1
Available from St. Martin’s Paperbacks