A Day Late and a Bride Short

by Jacobs, Holly

  A Day Late and a Bride Short:

  A Holly Jacobs’ Classic Romance

  by Holly Jacobs

  The characters and events in this story are fictitious. Any similarities to real people, living or dead, is coincidence and not intended by the author.

  Originally published by

  SILHOUETTE BOOKS

  ISBN 0-373-19653-9

  A DAY LATE AND A BRIDE SHORT

  Copyright © 2003 by Holly Fuhrmann

  Copyright © 2015 by Holly Fuhrmann

  Cover Art by Kim Van Meter

  Dedication:

  To Cheryl St. John, a woman who’s inspired me and always provided a shoulder to lean on. I started out her fan and—though I still am one of her biggest—I’m honored to call her friend, as well.

  Special thanks to Chris Trejchel, attorney extraordinaire, for his legalese help. And to his wife, Cathy, for marrying well and providing me with a great resource!

  Table of Contents

  Dear Reader

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Epilogue

  Dear Reader PS

  Other Books Available for Kindle

  Dear Reader,

  I'm so excited that A Day Late and a Bride Short is finally available as an eBook! I'm using the tagline "Holly Jacobs' Classic," just to let you know this is one of my earliest stories. Thank you everyone who's asked to have it available for their devices.

  Thirteen years ago, when I sent this proposal to my editor, she sent me back a note from the Senior Editor saying that with that title, she’d expected a marriage of convenience story. My original idea wasn’t that at all, but as a very newish author, I said, “That’s exactly what it will be.”

  My editor bought the new proposal. No, it wasn’t quite the story I intended to tell, and to be honest I wasn’t sure how I was going to write a contemporary marriage of convenience romance. As someone who’s been married for many years—someone who is still wildly in love with her husband—I have to confess, marriage isn’t always convenient!

  But in the end, I had a blast with the story. I hope you do as well. I loved bringing readers to Erie’s Perry Square business district. It’s a real area in downtown Erie. I reinvented the Square for my Perry Square stories. Yes, I crowded out the real businesses on the Square with my fictional ones, but if you’re ever in Erie, I hope you look the real thing up! And if you’re ever here in Erie, I hope you enjoy the view of our bay as much as this book’s heroine, Sarah, does. I’ll confess, I mention the bay, Lake Erie and Presque Isle a lot in my books because I love them all. (No, the city isn’t giving me a tourism kickback!) There’s nothing more satisfying than sitting at the water’s edge and just watching life go by, or watching the boats sail past and the seagulls glide, or the sun set, or... Well, the only thing that could be better is reading a romance!

  Okay, I’ve plugged my favorite city, my favorite lake and my favorite genre. I think it’s about time to end this letter. I hope you enjoy Sarah and Donovan’s story. Please feel free to write me (I love to hear from readers!) and check out my newest releases at www.HollyJacobs.com. Thanks so much and happy reading!

  Holly

  A Day Late and a Bride Short

  A Holly Jacobs’ Classic Romance

  Chapter One

  ‘‘I FEEL I AM PARTNER material,” Elias Donovan said. He sat, back ramrod straight, every coal-black hair in place and his dark green eyes meeting the firm’s senior partner, Leland Wagner.

  This was it. Donovan had everything in place. It was time to lay it on the line.

  He began to verbally run through his mental checklist. “I’ve been with the firm for six years, and I’ve generated more income for you than any other associate. I have a solid client base and—”

  “Elias...”

  Donovan winced at the sound of his first name. Leland was one of the few people he permitted to use it. Elias sounded too soft, and Donovan wasn’t the least bit soft. He’d spent years perfecting his rock-hard court persona, and the name Donovan suited it to a T.

  “...we’re all aware of what an asset you are to the firm. You’re promising partner material. We all realize it.”

  “Promising?” Donovan asked.

  He didn’t like the sound of being promising. He carefully schooled his expression so his displeasure didn’t show.

  “You’ve accomplished everything you just mentioned and more. The only concern we have, Elias, is your lack of balance. You’ve got work and...? What else is there in your life?” he asked.

  As senior partner of Wagner, McDuffy and Chambers, Leland Wagner seemed to feel as if he had to play father to the entire firm. Or maybe it wasn’t that he was senior partner, but that he had reached an age where he could have been father, or even grandfather, to all the associates and employees of the firm.

  “Work is my life,” Donovan said.

  Work was his passion, and like any mistress, she was jealous of time he spent elsewhere. Donovan was happy to indulge her. He found his relationship with his practice was so much more straightforward than any relationship he’d ever had with a woman. The law he could understand, but he’d never totally figured out the female species. And he’d given up trying to figure them out at least for now. The day would come that he’d be ready to settle down, but it wasn’t here yet

  “Work’s not enough,” Leland said. “I’ve been in this business for my entire adult life—over four decades—and it’s not enough. It might not be politically correct to say, but you need someone to come home to. You need the balance of a life outside the firm and the courthouse. You need a wife. When we see that you’ve learned that there’s more to life than your practice, then it will be time to talk about partnership.”

  “A wife?” Donovan echoed. He’d never even dated the same woman for more than a few months. Why would Leland think he was interested in tying his life to one?

  “A wife,” Leland repeated gently. “I know you think this is an archaic idea. But Dorothy and I are celebrating our fiftieth wedding anniversary next week. I married her right out of high school and she’s been my balance all these years. She’s my reason for going home at night. She’s—”

  Donovan interrupted. “How about a fiancée?”

  He heard the words come out of his mouth, but couldn’t believe he was saying them. A fiancée? He didn’t have a fiancée. He didn’t want a fiancée any more than he wanted a wife.

  “A fiancée?” Leland echoed, as if he could hear Donovan’s thoughts.

  Thinking fast on his feet, Donovan said, “I know she’s not quite a wife, at least not yet, but you’re right, she’s given my life balance. I can hardly remember a time without her.”

  Leland’s eyes narrowed as he studied Donovan. “When did this happen?”

  Feeling rather like a teenager lying about the dent in the car, Donovan said, “Recently.”

  That wasn’t quite a lie. He’d acquired a fiancé about two seconds ago.

  “Well,” Leland said slowly. A smile suddenly blossomed on his life-lined face. “You certainly do keep things close to your chest, my boy. That’s what makes you such a great lawyer.”

  The older man paused a moment and then repeated, “A fiancé? This puts an entirely different spin on the matter. I’ll talk to the other partners, but in the meantime you had better bring her along to the party next week so we can all meet her. I’m sure everyone will want to meet the woman who finally melted the legendary Iceman. You’re a priva
te man, Elias. I can respect that, but Wagner, McDuffy and Chambers is a family. And if she’s marrying you, she’ll be part of that family. So you just bring her and introduce her around.”

  “I will,” he found himself promising.

  “Like I said, I’ll talk to the other partners, and get back to you with our decision soon.” Leland stood.

  Donovan followed suit and extended his hand. “Thank you, Leland.”

  He walked out of the office with a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. He couldn’t decide if he’d just made things better or worse. But either way, he had something to take care of and there was no time to waste.

  Elias Donovan had to find a fiancée...fast.

  ~~~

  Sarah Jane Madison took a deep breath. This was it her last hope. If this didn’t work—

  She refused to think about it. This would work It had to.

  “Hi, Amelia.” She occasionally met the chatty receptionist in the park for lunch and genuinely liked the woman. Amelia had spiky blond hair, piercing blue eyes that always sparkled with a hint of laughter, and an infectious grin. Add all that to her gregarious personality and it would be next to impossible not to like her.

  ‘‘Donovan’s expecting you. You’ve got the cream of the crop. At least the cream of the single bachelor crop here at Wagner, McDuffy and Chambers. He’s just at the top of the stairs, to the right. You can’t miss it I’m sure he’s the lawyer here to take care of all your needs." Amelia winked and shot Sarah a wicked grin.

  Sarah laughed. “If he can take care of my legal problems, he’ll have satisfied every one of my needs for him.”

  “Well, I could think of a few needs of my own for him. Tall, dark and handsome—” Amelia sounded practically ready to swoon “—and those green eyes. Why sometimes I swear he can look right into my very soul. But the feeling never lasts. He never gives up a single emotion.”

  Amelia paused then added, ‘‘On second thought, don’t need him too much. Stick to needing him for legal matters. He’s the sort of man who uses women up. Not that he’s mean, or anything. He’s just cold. And a woman can only stand a cold man for so long and then something inside her freezes as well. I don’t want to see that happen to you.”

  ‘‘It’s not going to happen because the only thing I need Elias Donovan for is his legal expertise. Nothing more, nothing less.”

  “Fine.” Amelia didn’t look convinced, but she headed toward the front door. “Up the stairs and to the right.”

  Sarah started up the long, marble staircase. Wagner, McDuffy and Chambers had a beautiful building, though it could use a little sprucing up. She’d replace those heavy blinds and let in some more light. And some of the furniture didn’t fit the stately grace of the building. She’d—

  Sarah stopped herself. She wasn’t here to redecorate the building, she was here to get some legal advice.

  She reached Donovan’s door and knocked.

  “Come in.”

  She opened the door, expecting something in line with the outer office area. Instead, what she found was clutter.

  Piles of paper, files, boxes of who-knew-what. The walls were white, and there were functional department store blinds on the windows. That was it. No pictures on the walls, nothing personal at all. The office was devoid of any indication of who its inhabitant was. She stood taking in the room until Donovan cleared his throat.

  “Miss Madison.” He gave a nod. “You said you needed to see me right away?”

  Sarah shifted nervously from foot to foot. “I do. I appreciate you seeing me so fast.”

  “Anything for a neighbor. Leland’s big on being a part of the community. That’s why he has that picnic every Memorial Day for the Perry Square Business Association and that’s why he’s forced me into...” He let the sentence trail off. “Never mind. You didn’t come here to talk about Wagner, McDuffy and Chambers’s role in the community and if it had been a normal kind of day, I wouldn’t be talking about it either. Have a seat and tell me what I can do for you.”

  Helplessly, Sarah looked around the office, and finally moved a pile of papers from the chair and sat. “I have a client, well, had a client. I redecorated his offices—an entire floor. It was an extensive job and he still owes me a considerable outstanding balance. Though I’ve sent him bills, called him on the phone and even sent a certified letter, he hasn’t paid me. I’m a small business owner, Donovan. I don’t have any assets to fall back on. I pretty much live from hand to mouth. I counted on that money, and things are getting tight.”

  That was a huge understatement. Things weren’t just tight, they were desperate. She took a deep breath and continued.

  “Anyway, I was wondering if you could draw up some paper, or sue him, or whatever it is you do when someone owes you money. And I’m hoping you can do it as soon as possible because I’m really hurting financially.”

  “You have a signed contract?” Donovan asked.

  She bristled a little at the question and the tone he asked it in. What did he think she was? Totally inept?

  “Yes,” she answered.

  “Did you bring it?” he asked, fingers steepled under his chin as he simply waited for her response.

  Okay, maybe she was slightly inept. She should have thought to bring the contract and copies of the letters she’d sent.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t think to bring it, but I can go get it for you.”

  “That’s not necessary. Send it over tomorrow.”

  “Donovan, I don’t know how this works. Do you need a retainer for something like this? If so, I...” It galled Sarah to admit it, but she did, “I don’t have it I’m down to my last nickel, almost literally. When I bought the building, it took most of my savings, and the start-up costs took the rest. I’m broke. I’ll pay you as soon as you settle. I’ll do whatever it takes.”

  Donovan stared at his neighbor as she rattled on and on about money.

  Sarah Madison was an attractive woman. She was tall. She was only a couple inches shorter than his six feet. She had red hair. Her brows were about the same shade. He was pretty sure that meant her hair color was natural, not that it mattered. She had freckles, too. There was just a light sprinkling across her nose. And her eyes? Well, there was something about her grayish blue eyes that—

  He cut off the thought

  The color of her eyes didn’t matter. Not for what he had in mind.

  He’d been sitting in his office all day brooding about where he was going to find a fiancée. And then Sarah Madison had called him personally for an appointment and he’d known his fiancée was at hand.

  He knew her in a casual way. He nodded when he saw her on the square. And there was that one day...

  It had been raining. No, not raining, pouring.

  One minute the skies had simply opened up and dumped. Donovan had run into the first door—By Design. The sign had just gone up and as he let himself into the room, the bell on the door and the boxes littering the floor were the only indications that someone might actually be using the space.

  She’d popped up from behind a box, her hair tucked into a baseball cap, her nose smudged with dirt and had grinned as she said, “We’re not quite open for business, as you can see.’’

  She stood and extended a hand. “I’m Sarah. Sarah Madison.’’

  “Donovan,” he’d said, giving her hand a perfunctory shake. “I got caught in the downpour.”

  “Rain like that can’t last long. Make yourself at home until it slows down.” She’d nodded at a box, still smiling, as if she hadn’t noticed he’d given her hand the most cursory shake.

  Something about her made him uneasy.

  Not in an uneasy, run-for-your-life sort of way. But in a deeper, there-was-something-about-this-woman- he-couldn’t-quite-put-his-finger-on, sort of way. And he didn’t like things, especially feelings, that he couldn’t understand.

  Donovan made an immediate decision—he didn’t want to understand this woman. So rather than take her up o
n her offer, he took the coward’s way out and said, “It already looks like it’s slowing down. I’ll just be going.”

  “If it’s slowed at all it’s gone from monsoon to simple downpour. Why don’t you wait a few more minutes?”

  Donovan shook his head. “Thanks, but I have to be going.”

  He’d run then from her building to his and soaked himself in the process. Months later he still wasn’t sure why.

  She seemed easygoing...malleable. And she needed something from him and that gave him leverage, and that leverage made her perfect. Fate couldn’t have been any kinder when she’d announced she needed his legal expertise and didn’t have the money for a retainer.

  “Well, Sarah, we’re neighbors, and neighbors help each other out.”

  “Donovan, I know we’re not best buddies, but I had hoped you’d feel that way. And I’ll sign whatever you want, promising to pay you as soon as that dog Ratgaz pays me.”

  He drummed his fingers on the desk a moment, and finally said, “Well, maybe there’s something else you could do for me. You see, I have a little problem that’s right up your alley.”

  “A decorating problem?”

  He could see the relief on her face. She had an expressive face, one that he bet was accustomed to showing her every emotion. Would she be able to pull a fake engagement off?

  Sarah continued, “To be honest, I’d noticed when I walked in what a mess this room is. How on earth do you ever manage to see clients in here?”

  He looked around the room as if seeing it for the first time. It was a bit cluttered. “I see them in the meeting room, but that’s not—”

  “That’s not the issue. The issue is, how can you work in this...well, mess, Donovan? I’m sure your mother used to tell you a messy room makes for a messy mind. Mine did. Mom liked order. Not a cold institutional order, but a comfortable one. I inherited that from her, the need to make things comfortable, yet orderly. She didn’t have a formal business, but Mom decorated a lot of friends’ places. And I’ll do a great job on yours. I can take this room and do so much with it. Make it serviceable and yet attractive. And that way if you wanted to see clients here rather than in the meeting room you could do it without blushing with embarrassment.”