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Dream Wedding: Dream Bride / Dream Groom
Susan Mallery
DREAM BRIDEAccording to family legend, Chloe Wright is destined to dream of her future groom on her twenty-fifth birthday. Chloe doesn’t believe in fate, so she’s shocked to find her path crossing with a handsome stranger. Arizona Smith is everything Chloe has ever wanted in a man. But she’s not about to fall in love, especially since Arizona never settles anywhere for long. Still, his electrifying kisses and irresistible charm have Chloe suddenly wondering if there’s something to that legend after all… DREAM GROOMCassie Bradley Wright knows the fantasy of being swept off her feet by her boss is just that – a fantasy. After all, Ryan Lawford is way out of her league. And business and balance sheets are his whole world. But little does Cassie know that her sweet ways are changing his mind. The former determined bachelor just might take on the role of dream groom.
New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery brings her trademark wit and sparkle to these two classic tales of dreams come true…
Dream Bride
According to family legend, Chloe Wright is destined to dream of her future groom on her twenty-fifth birthday. Chloe doesn’t believe in fate, so she’s shocked to find her path crossing with a handsome stranger. Arizona Smith is everything Chloe has ever wanted in a man. But she’s not about to fall in love, especially since Arizona never settles anywhere for long. Still, his electrifying kisses and irresistible charm have Chloe suddenly wondering if there’s something to that legend after all….
Dream Groom
Cassie Bradley Wright knows the fantasy of being swept off her feet by her boss is just that—a fantasy. After all, Ryan Lawford is way out of her league. And business and balance sheets are his whole world. But little does Cassie know that her sweet ways are changing his mind. The former determined bachelor just might take on the role of dream groom.
Praise for New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery
“This book is a dynamite read filled with humor, compassion and sexy sizzle.”
—RT Book Reviews on Three Little Words, Top Pick!
“Mallery delivers another engaging romance
in magical Fool’s Gold.”
—Kirkus Reviews on Just One Kiss
“Mallery infuses her story with eccentricity, gentle humor, and small-town shenanigans, and readers...will enjoy the connection between Heidi and Rafe.”
—Publishers Weekly on Summer Days
“If you want a story that will both tug on your heartstrings and tickle your funny bone, Mallery is the author for you!”
—RT Book Reviews on Only His
“An adorable, outspoken heroine and an intense hero...set the sparks flying in Mallery’s latest lively, comic, and touching family-centered story.”
—Library Journal on Only Yours
“Mallery...excels at creating varied, well-developed characters and an emotion-packed story gently infused with her trademark wit and humor.”
—Booklist on Only Mine,
One of the Top 10 Romances of 2011!
“Mallery’s prose is luscious and provocative.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Susan Mallery’s gift for writing humor and tenderness make all her books true gems.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Romance novels don’t get much better than Mallery’s expert blend of emotional nuance, humor and superb storytelling.”
—Booklist
Dream Wedding
Dream Bride
Dream Groom
Susan Mallery
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
Table of Contents
Dream Bride (#u9dcd0015-521c-5bb3-820b-98f357227a14)
Dream Groom (#litres_trial_promo)
Dear Reader,
I’m a big fan of sisters—probably because I never had a sister and desperately wanted one growing up. I wanted someone to talk to and hang out with. When my parents were making me crazy, I wanted someone there who would understand.
This 2-in-1 is a reissue of two of my older books Dream Bride and Dream Groom. They were reader favorites when they were published over a decade ago and these stories celebrate the love sisters share. There is the family connection and, of course, the wonder of each of the sisters falling in love. But these stories have a little extra twist. Because my sisters come with some unexpected magic.
It seems there’s a family legend about a gypsy girl who was saved from certain death and how, as a reward, she passed on a very special nightgown. Rumor has it if a woman wears that nightgown on the night of her twenty-fifth birthday, she’ll dream of the man she’s going to marry. While that’s kind of exciting, it can also be inconvenient. What if you don’t believe in legends...or you’re already engaged to be married?
I hope you’ll enjoy these two books and the legend of the Bradley sisters. And if you happen to have a sister—biological or of the heart—please give her a hug from me.
Happy reading,
Susan
Dream Bride
Contents
Chapter One (#uae7d7ec3-edd5-5366-b99d-2c1bcb815b6e)
Chapter Two (#u6846e262-2c21-57bc-9fc2-a694dbc35f09)
Chapter Three (#ua92e2281-33b4-5e1d-8d8c-cdcbfb5b9eb3)
Chapter Four (#udac16e28-2f0f-5910-95e7-40dd0a97a0d4)
Chapter Five (#uc42c6e0e-683f-5a6c-8508-bad158aec557)
Chapter Six (#u7080fdd2-6dfc-5d87-9671-c5f81760a8c3)
Chapter Seven (#u659df3ab-4842-5940-9d9e-3430a5621279)
Chapter Eight (#u8b76125d-2297-579b-93b5-ecd5ed13ea6f)
Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER ONE
“I WISH I was going to dream about the man I was going to marry,” Cassie said and grinned. “I know how excited you are about it.”
Chloe Bradley Wright looked at her sister. “Oh, yeah. Too excited for words.” She fingered the soft lace of the nightgown she held. “Do I have to do this?”
“You don’t have to do anything.”
If only that were true, Chloe thought with regret. But she did have to wear the stupid nightgown. It was her twenty-fifth birthday and time for her to participate in the family legend. Not that she believed in magic or happily-ever-after. As far as she was concerned, falling in love or caring about someone was a one-way ticket to heartache.
She opened her mouth to express her opinion, then pressed her lips tightly together. She might not be a believer, but her sister, Cassie, had more than enough faith for the both of them.
Chloe stared into the face that was nearly as familiar as her own. Cassie was adopted, but younger by only six months. The two girls had been together since Cassie was four weeks old and they were best friends. Chloe had shared her admittedly cynical opinion on more than one occasion, but Cassie’s belief in the legend had never wavered. Who was she to try and change her sister’s mind now? It was just for one night. What could it hurt?
“I’ll wear it,” she said, trying to sound gracious.
Cassie leaned forward and hugged her. “I knew you would,” she said and bounced off the bed. Her short, thick brown hair swung around her face. “I’ll go tell Aunt Charity. Won’t she be surprised?”
“Probably not,” Chloe muttered when she was alone. Aunt Charity had a sixth sense about these things. No doubt the older woman figured she already knew whom Chloe was going to dream about.
“I’m not going to dream about anyone,” she said aloud as she pulled her T-shirt over her head, then slipped out of her jeans. “It’s just a nightgown. It has no mystic powers. It’s now the twenty-first century, for heaven’s sake! No one believes that kind of thing.”
She unfastened her bra and tossed the garment onto the floor, then picked up the nightgown. The cotton was cool to her touch and she shivered involuntarily.
“It’s nothing,” she insisted. But she hesitated before pulling the soft fabric over her head. What if the legend was true? What if she was really going to dream about the man she was destined to love? What if—“What if people have been abducted by aliens lurking in cornfields?” she asked aloud.
“Oh, I don’t think those stories are true,” her aunt said as she entered the bedroom. Charity raised dark eyebrows. “So how much did Cassie have to twist your arm to get you to wear it tonight?”
Chloe shrugged as she smoothed the nightgown in place. “Not too much. I figure it’s an inevitable rite of passage for Bradley women, as inescapable as birthdays and taxes. I’m just sorry she’s going to be disappointed in the morning.”
“Yes,” Charity said as she moved to the bed and pulled back the covers. “It will be sad. Cassie is one of those rare types who is a true believer. There aren’t many left.”
Chloe had turned twenty-five that very day, but suddenly she felt like a ten-year-old with a favorite relative staring at a less than perfect report card, all the while telling her the low grades were fine, as long as she’d tried her best.
“You can’t tell me you believe in the legend,” Chloe said as she plopped down on the edge of her bed.
Charity settled next to her. The older woman was of average height with the Wright family’s dark eyes and hair. She had to be in her mid-fifties, but she could have easily passed for someone a dozen years younger.
“I’ve traveled all around the world,” Charity reminded her. “I’ve seen many amazing things. As for magic and legends?” She shrugged. “Who’s to say what’s real and what isn’t?”
Chloe snorted indelicately. “Give me a break. So you’re saying that this nightgown is several hundred years old and is magical?”
“You never know.”
Chloe fingered the soft cotton. “It’s in pretty good shape for an antique.”
“So am I, dear.” Charity patted her hand.
“You’re hardly an antique.” She drew in a deep breath. “It would be nice if it were all true, but I just can’t take that step of faith.”
“That’s the reporter in you.”
“Agreed. But someone in this family has to be practical. Between you and Cassie, you’ve always got your heads in the clouds.”
“I’m back,” Cassie announced as she bounded back in the room. She held something in her hand and before Chloe could figure out what it was, she tossed it in the air. Dozens of red, pink and cream rose petals drifted over Chloe, Aunt Charity and the bed.
“My contribution,” her sister said with a smile as she settled in the small wingback chair by the closet door.
Chloe pulled rose petals from her hair. Her irritation faded in the presence of such loving support. Who was she to fight against tradition?
“You win,” she said as she stood up.
Charity rose as well. “It’s best, dear. You’ll see.” She waited until Chloe climbed into bed, then tucked in the covers. “Sleep well.”
When she’d left, Cassie moved close and crouched down. “Dream of someone wonderful,” she instructed. “Rich and handsome and very loving.” Her wide dark eyes softened at the thought. “Someone who will want to be with you forever.”
“What a romantic,” Chloe teased. “I’ll do my best.”
Cassie straightened. “In the morning, I want details. Lots of them.”
“I promise. Oh, and thanks for the party. It was great.”
Her sister smiled. “My pleasure.” She walked out of the room and closed the door behind her.
Chloe leaned up on one elbow and clicked off the lamp, then settled onto the bed that had been hers since she’d turned thirteen. The room had been decorated several times, but except for three years in high school, she’d slept here her whole life. Everything about the room, the house and even the town was familiar to her. Yet tonight, it all felt different.
“Atmosphere,” she told herself softly. It was all the talk of magic and legends. Even a confirmed cynic like her was bound to be affected.
