Must-Have Husband (Summer Grooms Series) by Ginny Baird Page A

Linda had worn the dress and looked lovely. It was
Connie’s turn to wear it next. Their grandpa was firmly convinced that the
dress held great magical powers to bestow a happy marriage. Well, it seemed to
have worked out in Linda’s case anyhow.
    “Don’t worry, love. No one will expect an August wedding to
go off with your recent change in plans. But the happy part is now we’re planning
for a new one. Probably not too much further away.”
    “Actually, Mac and I were thinking of having a very long
engage—”
    “Nonsense! The dress is already here, and we’ve gotten so
much initial planning done. It might take some tweaking here and there, but I’m
sure once we pin down a new date — for your new man ,” Elizabeth added with
a wink, “we’ll set everything in order.”
    Connie met her gaze. “I know. But wouldn’t it be great if…
Just for this weekend? We could focus on Grandpa and his party?”
    Elizabeth warmly patted her hand. “Of course, you’re right.
But before I leave you to get ready, do tell me more about Mac. I’m dying to
know how you met. And Walt…? Oh my,” she said with a serious frown. “What on
earth happened there?” She studied her daughter’s finger. “And why are you
still wearing his ring?”
    Connie gulped. “Um. The one from Mac is on order. He’s
having it custom-made.”
    “And he’s okay with this…substitution?”
    “Oh yeah, totally fine. Mac’s what you’d call a super chill
guy.”

 
    Ollie slid his charcoal Armani suit jacket onto Mac’s back. “It
may be a little snug in the shoulders, but you can make do.”
    Mac squirmed uncomfortably, feeling as if he’d been pinned
in something akin to a straitjacket. “Thanks, Ollie. Very nice of you to do
this.”
    Ollie adjusted Mac’s tie, then stepped aside so he could
view himself in the mirror. He looked okay, he supposed. He just wasn’t used to
it. The trousers fit awfully tight too and were a tad short at the ankles. Didn’t
help matters that Mac had brought only his hiking boots. Doctor’s orders. “Keep those on the next few days,” the
doc had said. Perfect for providing extra stability.
    “Don’t suppose you brought any other shoes?” Ollie asked,
looking down.
    Mac shook his head.
    “No worries.” Ollie soundly slapped his shoulder. “No one
will likely even notice.”

 
    Linda sidled up next to Connie as she sipped her champagne. “Did
you reconnect with your husband?” Connie asked, lifting an eyebrow.
    Linda shot her a devilish grin. “In a manner of speaking.”
    “Where is the lucky guy?”
    “I sent him down the hall to introduce himself to Mac. You
know, so the poor guy would have one more person in his corner.”
    Connie gasped. “You didn’t tell him?”
    “About the ruse? No way. That’s just our sisters’ secret.”
    Connie sighed with relief and raised her drink to her lips.
The panorama before them was dotted with party guests, all dressed in finery
and tilting champagne flutes as a Latin band played.
    “Whose idea was the music?” Connie asked.
    “Grandpa’s, of course.”
    “I thought he’d given up salsa dancing?”
    Linda turned toward her. “I wouldn’t put it past him to try
it in a wheelchair. Not if he could convince one of those pretty nurses to sit
on his lap.”
    Connie giggled briefly, but then grew serious. “Do you think
Mom suspects?”
    “Why would you say that?”
    “I don’t know. I just get a funny feeling.”
    “Maybe you shouldn’t have flashed that rock the way you did.”
Linda angled her head toward Connie’s left hand.
    “But you swore nobody would notice!”
    “That it’s the one Walt gave you? Nobody might have! Unless
you’d put it on such proud display.”
    “Well, when Dad asked—”
    “Shh,” Linda cautioned quietly. “It’s Grandpa. He’s coming.”
    The crowd broke into applause as the old man wheeled into
the courtyard, escorted by two lovely caretakers. One brunette and one blonde.

 
    Just then,