A TEMPORARY MARRIAGE: PART ONE (AVALON BAY ROMANCE SERIES Book 1) by Vicky Dean Page B
Authors: Vicky Dean
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real.
Cassie sensed that Teri still hesitated. When she’d first told her about it, she was certain that Teri thought she’d change her mind before it all really happened. Well, they were on the cusp of July and it was really happening.
“This whole thing is just his grandfather’s crazy scheme to attempt to get him to settle down. Richard has made it quite clear that he is not the marrying type. Plus, I don’t ever want to live anywhere permanently other than The Big Apple.”
“Okay then, so now that we’ve got that all settled, when are we going shopping for your wedding dress? I have to admit, I am curious to visit Avalon Bay and meet everyone and it’ll be great to see your mom and aunt again.”
Cassie’s last few days in Manhattan were a whirr of activity with dress shopping and everything else. Not having time to order a dress, she had to find the perfect one and buy it from the rack. It really wasn’t a big deal to her to do that, but finding the perfect one, that was a bit tougher. And, of course, there was Teri and her bridesmaid dress.
Given the circumstances, Cassie wanted something that was simple and was delighted to find a shop in Greenwich Village that had just that, in fact it had two dresses that she adored. As she walked out of the dressing room in the second dress, Teri caught her breath.
“You look absolutely divine, Cassie.”
Cassie looked in the mirror and felt goose bumps when she saw her image. The dress looked as if it had been made especially for her. It was of a timeless design both elegant and simple of pale cream chiffon and silk and fitted her like a glove. The enormity of what she was about to do hit her for the first time, as she stood staring at herself in a wedding dress, for a sham wedding.
Something in the forlorn expression that suddenly overcame her face must have alerted Teri.
“What’s up Cassie?”
“Oh, it’s nothing really. I was just thinking how nice it would be if it was a real wedding I was dressing for.”
“It’s not too late to change your mind, Cassie,” Teri said softly.
“I’ve committed myself now. It is only for a year and then I get my life back, plus my own hotel. It’s not a bad deal. And Richard’s a nice guy. It’ll be fine.”
Her mother informed her that Richard’s announcement about his upcoming wedding to her had sent shockwaves through the town.
“It seems to be all anyone talks about. I must get asked a dozen times a day how you two met. I’m so glad you’d told us the story that you two concocted, although I almost said the wrong thing—once. Maggie saved me.”
“Aunt Maggie is good, real good,” Cassie said.
“Too good sometimes,” her mother replied.
And again, her mother repeated the details, which she did every time they spoke. July 7 the wedding would take place at the chapel in town, the reception would be at a nearby country club and they were catering the event, too. Richard had hired a top band to play. Three hundred guests were expected to attend. The only detail that everyone seemed to be curious about was the honeymoon, and her mom reminded her, “I have no answer for that, darling. You and Richard better think of something, and quick.”
RETURN TO AVALON BAY
Cassie had a lot of luggage, and she’d sent many things via post. But as she struggled with her three suitcases, a strong hand reached up behind her and said, “Let me help you with those, Mrs.”
She turned around. “Richard, hi.” Again, she was taken in by how gorgeous he was. And he was going to be her husband soon…wow!
“Your mom told me that you might need some help, and she was right,” he said, smiling in a teasing manner.
“Well, I am planning on staying a while,” she teased back.
“Here, let me help you,” he said as he took over control of the luggage and wheeled it out to the parking lot and to his truck. Cassie watched in admiration as he easily tossed each huge bag she had struggled with earlier into
Cassie sensed that Teri still hesitated. When she’d first told her about it, she was certain that Teri thought she’d change her mind before it all really happened. Well, they were on the cusp of July and it was really happening.
“This whole thing is just his grandfather’s crazy scheme to attempt to get him to settle down. Richard has made it quite clear that he is not the marrying type. Plus, I don’t ever want to live anywhere permanently other than The Big Apple.”
“Okay then, so now that we’ve got that all settled, when are we going shopping for your wedding dress? I have to admit, I am curious to visit Avalon Bay and meet everyone and it’ll be great to see your mom and aunt again.”
Cassie’s last few days in Manhattan were a whirr of activity with dress shopping and everything else. Not having time to order a dress, she had to find the perfect one and buy it from the rack. It really wasn’t a big deal to her to do that, but finding the perfect one, that was a bit tougher. And, of course, there was Teri and her bridesmaid dress.
Given the circumstances, Cassie wanted something that was simple and was delighted to find a shop in Greenwich Village that had just that, in fact it had two dresses that she adored. As she walked out of the dressing room in the second dress, Teri caught her breath.
“You look absolutely divine, Cassie.”
Cassie looked in the mirror and felt goose bumps when she saw her image. The dress looked as if it had been made especially for her. It was of a timeless design both elegant and simple of pale cream chiffon and silk and fitted her like a glove. The enormity of what she was about to do hit her for the first time, as she stood staring at herself in a wedding dress, for a sham wedding.
Something in the forlorn expression that suddenly overcame her face must have alerted Teri.
“What’s up Cassie?”
“Oh, it’s nothing really. I was just thinking how nice it would be if it was a real wedding I was dressing for.”
“It’s not too late to change your mind, Cassie,” Teri said softly.
“I’ve committed myself now. It is only for a year and then I get my life back, plus my own hotel. It’s not a bad deal. And Richard’s a nice guy. It’ll be fine.”
Her mother informed her that Richard’s announcement about his upcoming wedding to her had sent shockwaves through the town.
“It seems to be all anyone talks about. I must get asked a dozen times a day how you two met. I’m so glad you’d told us the story that you two concocted, although I almost said the wrong thing—once. Maggie saved me.”
“Aunt Maggie is good, real good,” Cassie said.
“Too good sometimes,” her mother replied.
And again, her mother repeated the details, which she did every time they spoke. July 7 the wedding would take place at the chapel in town, the reception would be at a nearby country club and they were catering the event, too. Richard had hired a top band to play. Three hundred guests were expected to attend. The only detail that everyone seemed to be curious about was the honeymoon, and her mom reminded her, “I have no answer for that, darling. You and Richard better think of something, and quick.”
RETURN TO AVALON BAY
Cassie had a lot of luggage, and she’d sent many things via post. But as she struggled with her three suitcases, a strong hand reached up behind her and said, “Let me help you with those, Mrs.”
She turned around. “Richard, hi.” Again, she was taken in by how gorgeous he was. And he was going to be her husband soon…wow!
“Your mom told me that you might need some help, and she was right,” he said, smiling in a teasing manner.
“Well, I am planning on staying a while,” she teased back.
“Here, let me help you,” he said as he took over control of the luggage and wheeled it out to the parking lot and to his truck. Cassie watched in admiration as he easily tossed each huge bag she had struggled with earlier into
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