Rescued by a Wedding: Texas Wedding / A Marriage Between Friends. Kathleen O'Brien
Marriage seems to be the solution…until the men change the rules! Two beloved marriage of convenience stories from Kathleen O’Brien and Melinda Curtis in one volume.
Texas Wedding
Susannah Everly is determined to save the family ranch, even if she must marry onetime love Trent Maxwell to do so. They both know this is a business arrangement with rules that do not include rekindling old feelings or surprise midnight seductions. When Trent seems determined to break their agreement, it may be time for Susannah to renegotiate.
A Marriage Between Friends
When Jill desperately needed a father for her unborn child, Vince Patrizio gave them both his name. Then Jill walked out of his life. Now, years later, it’s Vince’s turn to have his say. Arriving in Jill’s sleepy California town, he has plans to transform it into a mini Vegas…and to turn this convenient marriage into a real one.
Rescued by a Wedding
Texas Wedding
Kathleen O’Brien
A Marriage between Friends
Melinda Curtis
CONTENTS
TEXAS WEDDING Kathleen O’Brien
A MARRIAGE BETWEEN FRIENDS Melinda Curtis
Kathleen O’Brien is a former feature writer and TV critic who’s written more than thirty-five novels. She’s a five-time finalist for the RWA RITA® Award and a multiple nominee for the RT Book Reviews awards. Though her books range from warmly witty to suspenseful, they all focus on strong characters and thrilling romantic relationships. They reflect her deep love of family, home and community, and her empathy for the challenges faced by women as they juggle today’s complex lives. Visit her online at kathleenobrienonline.com, facebook.com/kathleenobrienauthor or twitter.com/kobrienromance.
Look for more books by Kathleen O’Brien in Harlequin Superromance—the ultimate destination for more story, more romance! There are four new Harlequin Superromance titles available every month. Check one out today!
CHAPTER ONE
SUSANNAH EVERLY MAXWELL had been hiding in the bathroom for half an hour. For a bride on her wedding night, that was at least twenty-nine minutes too long.
She’d left the shower on, hoping Trent would assume she was still bathing, and the cascade of warm water had turned the room into a sauna. The towel knotted at her breasts hung heavily, saturated with moisture. Steam smothered the mirror, forming a blank screen of mist.
She knew she should go out into the bedroom, where her new husband was waiting, but she couldn’t force herself to do it.
Her new husband…
None of this seemed real. Reaching out one fingertip, she began to write on the glass.
Mrs.…Trent…Maxwell…
She’d penned the name a thousand times, in the turquoise ink she’d loved back in high school. But before she could finish the last syllable, the condensation pooled and began to run. It was like trying to write with tears.
Her reflection appeared in the open spaces, fractured into a collection of mismatched parts. Ironically, this