The Accidental Bridegroom
Page 16
News of the wedding of one of the world’s former great heiresses to her rather dashing, arrogant former bodyguard made all the newspapers.
Runaway Bride Marries Former Bodyguard blazed a London headline.
Not that the mother of the bride was delighted with the publicity. Not that the bride’s stepfather gave either his blessing or the bride away. Not that anybody missed Armi, who hadn’t been invited, anyway.
Cathy and Rafe’s ceremony was a simple affair under a tent set up by the creek near Rafe’s ranch house. Sadie was the flower girl and Juanito the beaming ring bearer. Vadda was matron of honor and Mike best man.
And as the happy couple exchanged their vows, it was obvious to all that they were deeply, madly in love.
And nobody there was prouder than the white-shawled Pita.
Because she knew that for once, that at last, she had created a spell the equal to her mother’s.
The only trouble was that since she had added a dash of this and a dash of that, she was beginning to believe that she would never be able to do it again.
But maybe once was enough.
If you accidentally got it right and created a perfect magical love.
One had only to look at the tall handsome groom with his black head bent attentively to his golden bride’s; one had only to note how sweetly and softly Cathy smiled back at him, to know that if ever two people had found a perfect love, Rafe and Cathy had.
Pita remembered Cathy’s words, whispered to her just before the ceremony. She’d said that the greatest magic in the world was the power of true love. Maybe, just maybe, she was right.
THE END
If you enjoyed this book, it would be so lovely if you left a review on your favorite retailer’s site or Goodreads. In the past when I was published traditionally, your review wasn’t nearly as important to writers like me as it is now that I have started Indie publishing. I was always well-reviewed by major reviewers.
But in this brave new world, reader reviews play a significant part in sales rank and in actual sales. With almost five million new books published this year alone, it is hard for a writer to gain readership.
You can help! And your help will be much appreciated by whatever writer you choose to review! It certainly will be by me.
Dedication
I owe a special thank-you to several people:
To Tara Gavin for asking me to write this book and for encouraging me during the months when I had writer’s block.
To Ron Coetzee, a private investigator and a real-life hero—for sharing some of his insights into his fascinating and dangerous profession. It was Ron who gave me the “spark” for my hero and this book.
To Patricia Patterson for introducing me to Ron and for all the secretarial and research assistance she constantly does.
To Diane Donaho, for helping with some of my initial research and for proofing my rusty Spanish.
To Kimberly Cleaves Huett, for gathering research on Mexico’s Day of the Dead
To Ted for his support and love and for listening to me whine.
If you enjoyed Book 1 of The Accidental Bodyguard series you might also enjoy Book 2.
The Accidental Bridegroom
The Man: Lucas Broderick—powerhouse lawyer.
The Job: Millions had been left to a conniving “goody-two-shoes.” Lucas’s mission? To break the will.
Accident about to happen: Beautiful mystery heiress Bethany Ann Moran—a.k.a. Chandra.
Lucas Broderick had been hired for the case of the century! The Moran family matriarch had died, leaving her fortune to Bethany Ann—the “dark horse” granddaughter. But Bethany never arrived to claim her inheritance…and coincidentally Lucas wound up with an alluring amnesiac hiding out in his house. Lucas knew the gorgeous stranger was trouble, but nothing would stop him from protecting her. Even though Chandra bore a remarkable resemblance to Bethany Ann Moran….
MAN OF THE MONTH: Can Lucas save her from the dangerous past? He has to—and this time he’ll make Chandra his bride!
You might also enjoy Ann’s Lone Star Dynasty series
Love with an Imperfect Cowboy (Book 1)
Should she? Or shouldn’t she?
When a rough-cut Texas cowboy haunted by his past saves a Park Avenue bride on the run, opposites attract in a big, Texas way in USA Today Bestselling Ann Major’s Love With An Imperfect Cowboy.
Hannah Lewis never imagined she’d run from her own magnificent, Upper East Side wedding. Born and bred in a penthouse on Park Avenue, she excels at everything – except maybe juggling a career, planning a wedding and paying attention to her fiancé. But couldn’t he have chosen another day to cheat with her twin sister? Now Hannah’s headed as far away as she can get from New York and her public humiliation. No one will expect to find her at a dude ranch in Lonesome, Texas … but just maybe she can find herself there.
Liam Stark is trying to hold it together on the anniversary of the worst night of his life. When a stuck-up beauty walks into the Lonesome Dove Bar, full of rough truckers and ranch-hands, she’s trouble in red cowgirl boots—trouble that Liam doesn’t need. Especially when he offers her safe haven from a storm on his ranch, and she stirs up memories he’d give anything to forget. Liam has lost too many people he loved—his wife and son on a dangerous stretch of Texas highway, and men under his command in the Afghan conflict. This beauty will be gone in a New York minute as well … unless he asks her to stay.
Attraction flames between them, hot as the Texas sun. But when their pasts cause problems, can they trust each other enough to believe they can share a future?
Ann is known for her Texas setting and strong Texas heroes. Maybe you would like to try Book 1 of Texas: Children of Destiny (free).
Passion’s Child
In Name Only
Nicholas and Amy were madly in love until Nick broke Amyes. Maybe you would like to raise Triple, the child she loved as her very own. Fighting to keep her husband out of their lives, Amy had finally become successful and almost happy when a life-threatening illness and Nick’s sudden reappearance and his comforting arms threatened all she held dear.
Now Nick was back to claim what was rightfully his, but Amy couldn’t forgive Nick for his part in the cruel circumstances that had forced her to deceive him in the most terrible way.
Or could she?
Praise for Ann Major
“No one provides hotter emotional fireworks than the fiery Ann Major.”
–Romantic Times
“Ann Major’s name on the cover instantly identifies the book as a good read.”
–New York Times bestselling author Sandra Brown
“Want it all? Read Ann Major.”
–New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts
Praise for The Accidental Bridegroom
‘Ms. Major highlights her classic tale with searing sensuality and a real dramatic flair.’
—Romantic Times Magazine
Ann Major E-Book List
Ann Major Classics
The Accidental Bodyguard Series
Book 1 – The Accidental Bridegroom
Book 2 – The Accidental Bodyguard
Texas: Children of Destiny Series
Book 1 – Passion’s Child
Book 2 – Destiny’s Child
Book 3 – Night Child
Book 4 – Wilderness Child
Book 5 – Scandal’s Child
Book 6 – The Goodbye Child
Book 7 – Nobody’s Child
Book 8 – Secret Child (Coming soon)
Men of the West Series
Book 1 – Wild Lady
Book 2 – The Fairy Tale Girl
Book 3 – Meant To Be
Stand-alone novellas
Santa’s Special Miracle
The Baby Machine
Fantasy Lovers
Short Stories
In Love With The Enemy (free)
One Night? Or Forever? (free)
I Will Find You (free)
New Releases by Major Press LLC
Lone Star Dynasty Series
Book 1 – Love With An Imperfect Cowboy
All books can be found at Ann’s Website www.annmajor.com
Harlequin
The Golden Spurs Series
The Girl with The Golden Spurs (Bk 1)
The Girl with the Golden Gun (Bk 2)
The Throw-Away Bride (Bk 3)
The Bride Hunter (Bk 4)
The Fantasy Series
Midnight Fantasy (Bk 1)
Cowboy Fantasy (Bk 2)
Stand-alone Novels (Romantic Suspense)
Secret Lives of Doctors’ Wives
Wild Enough for Willa
Marry a Man Who will Dance
The Hot Ladies Murder Club
Stand-alone Novels (Contemporary Romance)
Her Pregnancy Secret
The Amalfi Bride
A Cowboy & a Gentleman
A Scandal So Sweet
His for the Taking
Terms of Engagement
Marriage at the Cowboy’s Command
Ultimatum: Marriage
To Tame Her Tycoon Lover
Mistress for a Month
Shameless
Love Me True
A Cowboy Christmas
www.annmajor.com
About the Author
ANN MAJOR is a USA Today bestselling author, who lives in Texas with her husband of many years. Newly-retired, he harbors ambitions of encroaching on her territory, so she faces new challenges on the domestic front. She has three grown children and several grandchildren. A former English teacher, she has a master’s degree from Texas A&M at Kingsville, Texas. She is a co-founder of Romance Writers of America and a frequent speaker at writers’ groups.
Besides her writing, Ann loves to hike in the mountains, sail, kayak, travel, and play the piano. More recently she enjoys stand up paddle boarding. Most of all she enjoys her friends and family… and, last but not least, her muy macho cat, Jack.
Connect with Ann
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Copyright © 2016 Ann Major
ISBN: 978-1-942473-18-3
EPUB Edition
MAJOR PRESS LLC
241 Rosebud Ave.
Corpus Christi, Texas 78404
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information, address Major Press LLC.
All of the characters in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Cover Design and Interior format by The Killion Group
thekilliongroupinc.com
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Did you love The Accidental Bridegroom? Then you should read Love with an Imperfect Cowboy by Ann Major!
Should she? Or shouldn’t she?
When a rough-cut Texas cowboy haunted by his past saves a Park Avenue bride on the run, opposites attract in a big, Texas way in USA Today Bestselling Ann Major's Love With an Imperfect Cowboy.
Hannah Lewis never imagined she’d run from her own magnificent, Upper East Side wedding. Born and bred in a penthouse on Park Avenue, she excels at everything - except maybe juggling a career, planning a wedding and paying attention to her fiancé. But couldn't he have chosen another day to cheat with her twin sister? Now Hannah's headed as far away as she can get from New York and her public humiliation. No one will expect to find her at a dude ranch in Lonesome, Texas … but just maybe she can find herself there.
Liam Stark is trying to hold it together on the anniversary of the worst night of his life. When a stuck-up beauty walks into the Lonesome Dove Bar, full of rough truckers and ranch-hands, she's trouble in red cowgirl boots--trouble that Liam doesn't need. Especially when he offers her safe haven from a storm on his ranch, and she stirs up memories he'd give anything to forget. Liam has lost too many people he loved--his wife and son on a dangerous stretch of Texas highway, and men under his command in the Afghan conflict. This beauty will be gone in a New York minute as well … unless he asks her to stay.
Attraction flames between them, hot as the Texas sun. But when their pasts cause problems, can they trust each other enough to believe they can share a future?
Praise for Ann Major:
“No one provides hotter emotional fireworks than the fiery Ann Major.” Romantic Times
“Ann Major’s name on the cover instantly identifies the book as a good read.” –New York Times bestselling author Sandra Brown
“Want it all? Read Ann Major.” –New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts
Read more at Ann Major’s site.
Also by Ann Major
Lone Star Dynasty
Love with an Imperfect Cowboy
One Night? Or Forever?
Men of the West
Wild Lady
The Fairy Tale Girl
Meant To Be
Texas: Children of Destiny
Passion's Child
Destiny's Child
Night Child
Wilderness Child
Scandal's Child
The Goodbye Child (Coming Soon)
Standalone
Santa's Special Miracle: A Novella
In Love With the Enemy: A Short Story
The Baby Machine: A Novella
I Will Find You
The Accidental Bridegroom (Coming Soon)
Watch for more at Ann Major’s site.