[Harlequin] - Barbara McMahon - Love Letters (txt), Ksiazki, txt
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SophieLove LettersbyBarbara McMahon===========================================================================Chapter OneStacey Jerome checked her watch. Timing was perfect. With a quiet glow ofsatisfaction, she smiled at the bride nervously waiting. She reached outand twitched the gown into a perfect fold. The train was spread outbehind, the lace and beading shimmered in the light.The father of the bride cleared his throat. "Time?" he asked."In just a moment the organ will begin the wedding march, that'll be yourcue," she said easily. After five years of managing weddings big andsmall, she was confident in all the plans made for this particular one.Marcie Evans was radiant. Stacey felt a pang, as she did at almost everywedding, remembering her own hurried affair at Carson Valley City Hall.She'd always dreamed of a lavish wedding, complete with bridal gown, ahalf dozen bridesmaids and a celebration reception with family andfriends that went on forever. She hadn't had that, so she did her best togive a perfect day to every one of her clients.The organist shifted from the music she'd played for the bridesmaids'entry to Lohengren's Wedding March. The familiar chords filled GraceCathedral resounding loud enough to be heard outside by tourists and SanFranciscans alike. Stacey smiled in reassurance."I'll meet you right here after the ceremony," she assured Marcie. "We'lltake photos at the altar and then head for the reception."As the bride began her walk down the long aisle of the old cathedral,Stacey watched from the door. The huge church was almost filled tocapacity. Harry Evans was a City Councilman, a patron of the opera andone of the richest men in San Francisco. His only daughter was marrying aman he deemed worthy of her, so he had pulled out all stops.Stacey's gaze moved to the groom. His eyes were for Marcie only. Shesmiled again. This was going to be perfect. Her gaze drifted around thestanding congregation. One man, near the front on the groom's side, stoodtaller than the people surrounding him. He turned his head and his gazelocked with hers. For a moment Stacey's heart stopped. It couldn't be!She felt the church spin around her. It was a coincidence, someone wholooked like Zach. He couldn't be here. He was off daring death on hiswild need to race Formula One cars at record speeds.She almost marched down the aisle to him, but reason took hold. Then,with a wink, he turned to face the front.Stacy forgot about the myriad details still remaining to ensure thewedding and reception progressed flawlessly. Her breath hitched. What onearth could Zach be doing here?She'd often dreamed of running into him again. Sometimes she slapped himso hard his head snapped back. Other times, she pretended she hadn't aclue who he was, and when reminded, feigned difficulty in remembering.Once in a while, she let herself fantasize his return was because hecouldn't live without her. But that was so far from reality she rarelylet herself indulge in that particularly fantasy.Chapter TwoTwo hours later Stacey wanted to scream. She was operating on two levels� one the competent wedding consultant, making sure everything wentperfectly for her client. The other, a frustrated woman who couldn't stopthinking about Zach.The crowd at the St. Francis Yacht Club made it impossible to pause evenfor a moment to search out any one particular person. Still, even as shekept an eye on the celebration, she searched each dark-haired man whocame into her line of sight. If he had been at the church, he was sure tobe at the reception.Then it happened. For another endless moment, Stacey locked eyes withZach Taylor, the husband she had not seen in seven years. Not seen, notheard from, tried to forget. The activity surrounding her faded, it wasas if she and Zach were alone in the universe.Reality returned when Stacey's assistant nudged her."The music will be starting soon, and the dancing. Should we do anythingto hurry them along in eating?"The spell broken, Stacey dragged her eyes away and looked at Lila. "No,the music will automatically have them finishing. After a few dances,we'll have the bridal couple cut the cake."She wanted to look around. Wanted to see what Zach was doing. Was hecoming to speak to her? Or had he slipped out of a side door, not wantinga confrontation?"Then the older crowd can feel free to leave," Lila said wisely. Staceynodded, her throat tight with tension. Every cell was attuned to Zach.She couldn't be focused on him, she needed to concentrate on the tasks athand."You look as if you need a drink," a deep, once familiar voice said. ZachTaylor stood next to her, holding out a glass of champagne.Lila smiled brightly and slipped away. Stacey wanted to call her back,but her voice wouldn't work. She stared at the champagne."I'm working, I don't drink when I'm on a job," she said stiffly. Shecouldn't bring herself to look up into the dark eyes she knew she'drecognize. The scenarios she'd so often pictured faded. The reality wasshe didn't have a word to say to him. Her heart fluttered, memoriescrowded painfully in her mind. Of the love she'd once felt for him, theawe that the hell-raising favorite son of their home town had noticedher. Their final words yelled in anger."How have you been, Stace?" he asked. He took a sip of the sparklingbeverage.Her eyes tracked the glass, watched his lips caress the edge as he drank.Lips that had once brought her to ecStacey. And shattered her world whenthey spoke goodbye."Just fine," she said, glancing around, wishing desperately someone wouldrescue her, or that she'd find the strength to walk away. She didn't wantto be within a mile of Zach and his seductive lips, his bedroom eyes, hisoverwhelming sexy magnetism. But her feet felt rooted. Seven years hadpassed. Hadn't she built up any resistance? She did not love him. Shedidn't even like him. But she couldn't walk away.That was his way, not hers."Zach, here you are. Jason's been looking for you." The pretty blondbridesmaid came up and took his arm. She smiled at Stacey. "It's afabulous wedding. When I get married, I want you to be the consultant!"She turned back to Zach. "Come on, Jason and Marcie are ready for thetoasts, and you're elected to give one."Zach looked at Stacey. "I'll call you.""Don't bother."Chapter ThreeZach watched Stacey turn and walk away. He was barely conscious ofJason's sister hanging on his arm. He couldn't believe he'd run into hiswife. Pain pierced as he remembered their last words. He'd been such ayoung, arrogant fool. His world had been on a roller coaster for months �from the day he met Stacey. How was he to have known how things wouldturn out?"Wow," Julia said. "I didn't know you knew the wedding consultant." Shelooked after Stacy with speculation. "And very well, I'd say.""We've known each other since high school," he replied, not willing toshare private matters. "Let's go get the toast over with.""Jason was thrilled you were able to stop off in San Francisco to come tothe wedding," Julia said as they walked toward the head table. "Heconvinced Marcie to plan the wedding when there were no races scheduled,but he knows your training is on-going.""I wouldn't have missed it," he said politely. He glanced over hisshoulder, Stacey had disappeared. But he now knew she ran RainbowWeddings. He'd asked Jason the first instant he'd spotted her. He couldfind her with no trouble.Her being here surprised him, as did the fact she ran a very successfulbusiness. How long had she been in San Francisco? He hadn't heard she'dleft Carson Valley. Not that he kept close ties with anyone in that town.Once he left, he hadn't looked back. His parents hadn't forgiven him forhis actions. It looked as if Stacey hadn't either.It was past time to mend fences. If they could be mended.The reception of his friend's wedding wasn't the place to do it, however.He'd find her later, take her to dinner. They'd discuss things likerational adults.When the bride and groom departed amidst much fanfare a couple of hourslater, Zach looked around for Stacey. He couldn't find her in thedwindling crowd. His jaw tightened. She'd run out on him. Was that anyway for a wife to act?A thought struck. She was still his wife, wasn't she? Or had she gotten adivorce sometime during the last seven years? Could she do that withouthis consent? He hadn't heard anything from her. No response from her tohis letters. Not a card at Christmas or his birthday. No demand for moresupport money. He faithfully deposited funds in their account each month.She'd never said if it were enough or not. Once he began to win races,the money poured in. He'd made sure he'd shared it with Stacey. She musthave used it to set up her business.He wasn't into romancy stuff. Normally he avoided weddings like theplague. Why had Stacey gone into this business? They hadn't had a fancywedding. Regret stirred. Their wedding could best be termed brief andbusiness-like. The city hall conference room had held the remnants of abusiness meeting, with papers scattered around the long table. They'dstood by the window, and he remembered gazing out at the parking lot.Only their closest friends Tim and Margo had stood up with them. They hadnot had their family or other friends. No fancy cake. No reception. Hellof a wedding, now that he thought about it.But he'd done what he thought was right.Stacey had been pregnant with his baby. He married her.Chapter FourStacey knew hearing from Zach again was inevitable. Seeing him at thewedding had...
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