“And just how would I go about getting this mythical husband?”
She slanted a look toward Shane. “Shall I advertise for one or should I just go straight to that online site and say something to the effect that I’d like one husband, please. No chores will be required, no expertise necessary. Must be able to stand and look manly when so-called ‘wife’ deals with fire-breathing former in-laws.”
She knew she sounded hysterical but she couldn’t stop—she was spiraling out of control.
“Sounds like a piece of cake to me. How about you? Sound like a piece of cake to you? Or do you know something I don’t about locating a husband who’d be a willing stand-in?”
“Not sure I understand what you mean by a stand-in,” Shane said, “but I’d be willing.”
“Willing?” she echoed, confused. “Willing to what?”
“I’d be willing to marry you so you could retain custody of Ricky.”
Five sets of eyes turned to stare at him at the same time.
Dear Reader,
Welcome back to Ladera by the Sea, a charming 120-year-old family-run bed-and-breakfast in San Diego with a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean. You might recall meeting the family—Richard Roman and his four daughters, Alexandra, Christina, Stephanie and Andrea, in the first book, Innkeeper’s Daughter. That book saw oldest daughter workaholic Alex come to grips with her true feelings for Wyatt Taylor, someone she had grown up knowing and verbally sparring with for years. You’ve returned just in time for their wedding. But, before that can take place, second daughter Cris, the Inn’s resident chef, has to learn how to finally move past the heartache of losing her first husband and recognize the love that’s been in her own backyard all along. Thrown into this is a pending custody battle with her well-to-do former in-laws who are suing for sole custody of her five-year-old son, Ricky. Curious? Good. Come, read and I promise that all secrets will be revealed.
As always, I thank you for taking the time to read my book and from the bottom of my heart, I wish you someone to love who loves you back.
All the best,
Marie Ferrarella
www.marieferrarella.com
A Wedding for Christmas
Marie Ferrarella
MARIE FERRARELLA
is a USA TODAY bestselling and RITA® Award-winning author, and has written more than 240 books, some under the name Marie Nicole. As of January 2013, she has been published for 30 years. She earned a master’s degree in Shakespearean comedy and, perhaps as a result, her writing is distinguished by humor and natural dialogue. Her goal is to entertain and to make people laugh and feel good. Her romances are beloved by fans worldwide. Visit her website, www.marieferrarella.com.
To
Nancy Diamond
&
Wendy Brower
For telling me
About their grandmother’s
Azalea plant
Contents
PROLOGUE
SOMETIMES THE PATH from the family-owned bed-and-breakfast to the small, private cemetery that overlooked the sea seemed longer to reach than it actually was.
Other times, like today, he wasn’t even aware of how long it took to get there. One second, Richard Roman was deciding that he wanted to share a few moments with his wife and his best friend, the next he was already standing before their headstones, talking to the two people who had known him the best and, just possibly, the longest.
His Amy had been in this spot overlooking the sea a long while—sometimes it felt as if she had always been here, whereas Daniel had been here only a little while. Richard missed them both so very much.
But it helped to come here to talk to them both whenever he was troubled or happy.
Someday, he himself would be laid to rest here, Richard thought. Buried next to his Amy.
But not for many years to come.
His girls needed him.
The four of them, ranging in age from twenty-one to twenty-eight were well along on their journey into womanhood, but they still needed him, needed his guidance.
“Looks like Alex won’t be wearing your wedding dress after all, Amy, even though she had her heart set on it. She’s too tall and just a touch too curvy to get into it. I know that Wyatt has no complaints in that department, but Alex really did think she’d be walking down the aisle in your dress. She was very disappointed.”
He shook his head, recalling the stricken