A Groom Of Her Own And The Way Home; A Groom Of Her Own\The Way Home

by Irene Hannon

• ISBN13: 9780373652709
• ISBN10: 0373652704
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-10-10
• Publisher: Steeple Hill

Summary

A Groom of Her Own

Widow Samantha Reynolds doubted she'd ever again know a man's love. But Brad Matthews, the minister at a friend's wedding, made her long to find the strength to give her heart again--and to share, at last, the dark secr

Excerpts

"Well, kiddo, this is it." Sam Reynolds gently edged the door closed behind Laura Taylor's mother and turned to face her best friend. "Oh, Sam, I can't believe it's really happening!" Laura's eyes glistened suspiciously in her radiant face, and Sam felt her own throat contract. If anyone deserved a happy ending, it was the woman standing across from her. Sam wouldn't have laid odds on it, though. After trying mightily--but unsuccessfully--for years to find a man for Laura, she'd practically given up hope of ever seeing her best friend walk down the aisle. But in the end Laura surprised her by finding Nick Sinclair on her own--with a little help from fate. "Well, I'm your witness. Literally," Sam said with a grin. "It's real, all right. And you look absolutely beautiful. I don't think I've ever seen a more radiant bride." "Do you really think so?" "See for yourself." She put her hands on Laura's shoulders and turned her to face the full-length mirror on the far wall. Laura gazed at the woman in the reflection, hardly recognizing the image as her own. Her peach-colored tea-length gown highlighted her slender curves and accentuated her femininity. The satin underslip softly hugged her body, and the lace gown overlay, with short, slightly gathered sleeves and a sweetheart neckline, had a quaint old-fashioned air that suited Laura. She wore her strawberry blond hair loose and full, the way Nick liked it, pulled back on one side with a small cluster of flowers and ribbon. Her bouquet was simple, a trailing arrangement of ivory and peach roses intertwined with ivy and wispy fern. It was a lovely ensemble, perfect for a second wedding, and she was grateful to Sam for helping her find it. But what she noticed most as she gazed in the mirror was her face, glowing and content and happy. "Oh, Sam, is that really me?" she whispered. "I look...well...pretty." Sam moved beside her and placed an arm around her shoulders. "Honey,prettyis a gross understatement. Tryravishing, drop-dead gorgeousandfantastic, and you might come a little closer." She shook her head and chuckled. "Wait'll Nick gets an eyeful!" Laura reached for her purse and fished out a tissue. "I'm so happy it's almost scary," she admitted, dabbing at her eyes. "Hey, hey, hey, no tears!" Sam said. "Your mascara will run and you'll look like a racoon. Not a pretty picture, let me tell you. You can cry after the reception--although by then I think you'll have better things to do," she said with a knowing wink that brought a blush to the bride's face. A discreet knock sounded on the door, and Laura's brother, John, stuck his head inside. "Ladies, it's your cue." Sam gave Laura's hand one more squeeze. "You'll knock their socks off, kiddo," she whispered. "And if you don't believe me, just watch Nick when you walk down that aisle." She moved toward the door, pausing in front of the mirror to cast a quick, discerning glance at her own reflection. The pencil-slim skirt and short-sleeved peplum jacket of her pale sea green brocade suit showed off her fashionably slender figure to perfection, and the color complemented her shoulder-length red hair. She adjusted the peplum, smoothed down a few stray strands of hair and gave her expertly applied makeup one final inspection. Then she turned and winked at Laura encouragingly. "Okay, here we go." Sam stepped into the vestibule and took her place behind the double doors that led to the church. She heard the organ music pause, then change melodies, and a moment later two of the ushers pulled back the heavy doors. As Sam made her way past the sea of smiling faces in the small church, she was struck by the romantic ambiance. The deeply fragrant scent of rubrum lilies filled the air, and wispy greenery anchored with white bows trailed from the ends of the pews. Late afternoon light illuminated the stained glass windows, which in turn cast a mosaic of warm, m