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    The Bridal Swap
    The Bridal Swap
    The Bridal Swap
    Ebook202 pages2 hours

    The Bridal Swap

    By Leigh Michaels

    ()

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    About this ebook

    He'll pay for the wedding –if Kara steps in to be the bride

     

    When Jax Montgomery's fiancée confronts him, stomps out, cancels the wedding, and refuses to pay the bills, wedding planner Kara Schuyler is left holding the bag. Worse, all her contractors and suppliers are stuck. Some of them are even worse off than Kara is, and she feels responsible.

    Jax is known as the Sun King – the man who figured out how to sell sunshine – and he can certainly afford to pick up the tab. But too late, Kara realizes she's only dealt with the would-be bride. Not only did Jax never sign a contract, she has never met the groom.

    Or, rather, she doesn't remember meeting him. But Jax remembers, and he's not about to let Kara forget that long-ago summer when she was a snooty teenager lounging by the Century Club's pool and sending Jax – the golf caddy and go-fer – to get her lemonade.

    He offers a bargain. He'll pay for the wedding as long as he gets a wedding – even if that means the wedding planner has to step into the bride's stilettos.

    But what does Jax really want?  To make his fiancée jealous and win her back? Or to get his revenge on Kara?

    It must be one or the other… or maybe a little of both… because he can't be serious about marrying Kara.

    Can he?

     

    Classic romance from international bestselling author Leigh Michaels

    Leigh Michaels is the award-winning author of more than 100 books, including historical romance, contemporary romance, and books about writing. Her books have been published in 27 languages and 120 countries, with more than 35 million copies in print.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPBL Limited
    Release dateJul 18, 2022
    ISBN9798201133283
    The Bridal Swap
    Author

    Leigh Michaels

    Leigh Michaels (https://leighmichaels.com) is the author of more than 100 books, including contemporary romance novels, historical romance novels, and non-fiction books including local history and books about writing. She is the author of Writing the Romance Novel, which has been called the definitive guide to writing romances. Six of her books have been finalists in the Romance Writers of America RITA contest for best traditional romance of the year, and she has won two Reviewers' Choice awards from Romantic Times (RT Book Review) magazine. More than 35 million copies of her books have been published in 25 languages and 120 countries around the world. She teaches romance writing online at Gotham Writers Workshop.

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      Book preview

      The Bridal Swap - Leigh Michaels

      The Bridal Swap

      By Leigh Michaels

      Copyright 1999, 2022

      All rights reserved

      The Bridal Swap

      He’ll pay for the wedding –if Kara steps in to be the bride

      When Jax Montgomery’s fiancée confronts him, stomps out, cancels the wedding, and refuses to pay the bills, wedding planner Kara Schuyler is left holding the bag. Worse, all her contractors and suppliers are stuck. Some of them are even worse off than Kara is, and she feels responsible.

      Jax is known as the Sun King – the man who figured out how to sell sunshine – and he can certainly afford to pick up the tab. But too late, Kara realizes she’s only dealt with the would-be bride. Not only did Jax never sign a contract, she has never met the groom.

      Or, rather, she doesn’t remember meeting him. But Jax remembers, and he’s not about to let Kara forget that long-ago summer when she was a snooty teenager lounging by the Century Club’s pool and sending Jax – the golf caddy and go-fer – to get her lemonade.

      He offers a bargain. He’ll pay for the wedding as long as he gets a wedding – even if that means the wedding planner has to step into the bride’s stilettos.

      But what does Jax really want?  To make his fiancée jealous and win her back? Or to get his revenge on Kara?

      It must be one or the other... or maybe a little of both... because he can’t be serious about marrying Kara.

      Can he?

      Classic romance from international bestselling author Leigh Michaels

      Leigh Michaels is the award-winning author of more than 100 books, including historical romance, contemporary romance, and books about writing. Her books have been published in 27 languages and 120 countries, with more than 35 million copies in print.

      Table of Contents

      Chapter One

      Chapter Two

      Chapter Three

      Chapter Four

      Chapter Five

      Chapter Six

      Chapter Seven

      Chapter Eight

      Chapter Nine

      Chapter Ten

      About the Author

      Other Books by Leigh Michaels

      CHAPTER ONE

      The throaty hum of the sewing machine and the whispery hush of yard after yard of satin sliding under the needle blended with the creak of the rocking chair into a hypnotic rhythm which filled the duplex’s living room. Kara Schuyler glanced at the mantel clock and then down at the six-week-old baby sleeping in her arms and wished she didn’t have to leave.

      Rhonda didn’t look up from the pool of orchid satin which under her skillful fingers was slowly becoming a formal gown. Let me get this straight. The wedding of the century is only two weeks off, and you still haven’t met the groom? Her friend’s tone was skeptical.

      Kara sighed. There’s nothing really unusual about that. Most of the time it’s the bride who makes the wedding plans, and she’s the one who hires me. And in this case—

      Rhonda finished a seam and shifted the fitted bodice into position to start the next one. I suppose the gazillionaire’s too busy to be bothered.

      It wouldn’t be surprising, would it? As soon as Jax Montgomery figured out how to sell sunshine, he started trying to make every consumer product in the world solar-powered.

      Since he’s so preoccupied, I’m amazed he’s finding time to get married at all. Suddenly Rhonda let her hands drop from the dress as she stared at Kara in mock-horror. You don’t suppose he’ll delegate his personal assistant to stand in for him on the honeymoon, do you?

      Kara slid to the edge of her seat and shifted the baby’s weight. The honeymoon, no. The ceremony, on the other hand—well, I’d give it a pass myself if I could.

      You? Wedding planner extraordinaire? If you’re tired of holding Dylan, just put him in the bassinet.

      I could never get tired of holding him, but I have to meet the incredible Anabel for lunch and an update on the wedding plans. Kara laid the child down. He grunted a little and his lips pursed as if in search of a bottle, and she bent over to rub his tummy till he relaxed. Normally, the bigger the event, the more interesting it is. But last week when she recruited her thirteenth bridesmaid—

      Rhonda rolled her eyes. And added yet another shade of purple to the palette... Did I tell you what kind of rush charges my supplier demanded so I’ll have that bolt of fabric in time?

      You mentioned it. Be sure to give me the bill so I can add it to Anabel’s stack.

      Don’t worry. Rhonda’s tone was dry. Since I had to pay in advance, I’m not going to forget it anytime soon. In fact, the bill’s at the top of the pile, right there on the coffee table.

      Kara reached for a yellow receipt and raised her eyebrows at the total. This one? I see what you mean. If I take it right now, I’ll probably have your money yet this afternoon.

      The sooner it’s paid, the better Jeff will like it. With his tuition due this month there wasn’t any extra money, so I cashed in the baby’s gift certificates to pay the rush charges. He wasn’t very pleased with me.

      I’ll say this much for the incredible Anabel, Kara mused. She never flinches at the bills. I’ll tell her the bridesmaids’ dresses are all coming along just fine. Right?

      As fine as they can, when all thirteen of the young ladies in question seem to be on diets. At the present rate, I’m likely to be taking tucks while the procession’s waiting at the back of the church.

      No church. Didn’t I tell you? The wedding’s going to be in the main ballroom at the Century Club.

      And here I was expecting a cathedral at the very least. Rhonda sat back from the sewing machine. As long as we’re talking about clothes, what’s with you today, Kara? I’ve never thought of you as the little-navy-blue-dress type.

      Kara brushed a hand down over her slim skirt. What’s so bad about my dress? Not too long, not too short. Classic... appropriate... subdued...

      Dull and matronly.

      The corner of Kara’s mouth quirked. It seemed to reflect the sort of image Anabel expects from me.

      Is she that much of a snob? I know the Schuyler name carries a certain cachet around this town, but surely she knows better than to think you’re so prim and proper you can’t be stylish. Doesn’t she?

      "Well, she hired me to give her a classy wedding, not to try to compete with her personal savoir faire."

      Not that you could, of course.

      Thanks for your delightful candor, Kara murmured. But must you rub salt in the wound?

      Rhonda shrugged. It’s true. You’re not bad looking at all, Kara, but next to her... The woman didn’t get to the finals of the Miss World pageant by accident.

      And I suppose she’d go into peals of laughter at the mere idea that I might be trying to outshine her. Or more likely, to make someone else think I was trying to outshine her.

      And what if you actually succeeded? Rhonda’s eyes lit with delight. That’s why she hasn’t let you meet the gazillionaire! She’s afraid you’ll take him away from her!

      KARA LEFT HER CAR IN a distant corner of the Century Club’s parking lot and walked across to the main entrance. The day was gorgeous, even for mid-May; the breeze was soft and warm against her face, and the scent of lilacs drifted from the thick hedge which separated the first tee of the golf course from the wide lawn of the elegant old mansion which served as a clubhouse.

      The elderly doorman, his uniform spotless and his bearing as straight as ever, greeted her with a smile. We still have valet service, Miss Kara, and the boys would be happy to park your car.

      It’s too beautiful to be inside any more than necessary. And since I’m early— She caught a warning in his eyes. What’s wrong, Curtis?

      Miss Randall arrived a few minutes ago.

      Startled, Kara eyed her wristwatch. Either it was running slow and therefore she had an apology to make, or the unthinkable had happened and Anabel Randall was actually early for an appointment.

      For once Kara ignored the delicate curve of the branching staircase which soared upward from the elegant foyer to the most private retreats the clubhouse offered, focusing her gaze instead on the enormous grandfather clock which stood off to one side. Relieved to see that she was exactly on time, she turned toward the double doors which led to the main dining room. The maître d’ wasn’t at his post, but he’d no doubt be back any moment, and he’d know whether Anabel was already seated in the dining room or was waiting for Kara in the lounge which overlooked the formal gardens and swimming pool at the back of the clubhouse.

      A door slammed upstairs, and the sudden crash drew Kara’s attention—and her eyebrows—upward. A member having a tantrum? Surely not. That sort of thing was frowned on at the Century Club. It must have been just a stray breeze.

      But the bang of the door had scarcely faded before firm, hasty footsteps sounded on the upper landing and a statuesque brunette appeared at the top of the stairs.

      Kara bit back a smile. After a few months of working with Anabel Randall, she knew the routine well. The beauty queen always paused at the top of a flight of steps, just long enough to draw all eyes, then she floated down with her head high and her back straight, seeming to barely touch each stair tread as she descended.

      This time, however, to Kara’s surprise, Anabel obviously wasn’t interested in making an entrance. She didn’t even look around to check out her audience. She hurried down the long flight and brushed past Kara on her way to the front door. Her chin was high, her face was hard, and her eyes glittered. She was still gorgeous—but she looked ten years older than the last time Kara had seen her.

      Kara called her name twice before Anabel paused. She hesitated for a fraction of a second, then slowly turned. Oh, it’s you. I forgot you were going to be here.

      That doesn’t bode well. For Anabel to be early for an appointment and then forget it entirely—and not just a casual get-together, but a standing weekly date concerning her wedding, the most important event in her life this year...

      What is it? Kara asked. Is someone ill? Injured? Can I help?

      Anabel laughed harshly. "Jax should be grateful he isn’t injured. She tossed a smoldering look up the stairs. After what he just did... As for you helping, I suppose we might as well get this cleared up right now. But not right here. The last thing I want is to see that... jerk... again."

      Kara’s mouth went dry. That jerk? Anabel meant Jax Montgomery, of course. The gazillionaire fiancé. The man who was—or at least had been—the love of Anabel’s life.

      Obviously he was upstairs right now. And just as obviously, whatever had happened between them up there had been a disaster of herculean proportions.

      Kara tried to fit the pieces together. Anabel had arrived early for her lunch date, something no one who knew her would have anticipated. And she had found her fiancé... doing what?

      This can’t be happening.

      Kara followed Anabel out onto the veranda.

      Anabel thrust a set of car keys at Curtis. Then she turned her back on the doorman and took a deep breath. The wedding’s off.

      Even though she’d known that announcement had to be coming, Kara hadn’t braced herself well enough. The words hit like sledgehammers. But why?

      Anabel’s gaze was icy. "Surely you don’t believe why is any of your business?"

      Kara cursed her delinquent tongue. She knew better than to ask. She was only Anabel’s employee—not her friend.

      However, even Anabel’s refusal to answer was an interesting response. While she wasn’t the sort to get chatty with the hired help, Anabel had confided a few intimate details along the way—enough that Kara knew it wasn’t purely principle which was keeping her silent.

      What had Jax Montgomery done which was not only bad enough for Anabel to call off the engagement but so wounding she wouldn’t even hint at the cause?

      It’s off, Anabel snapped. That’s all you need to know. She strode down the front steps. How long does it take to get a car around here, anyway? she barked at Curtis.

      Kara followed her. "But you can’t just cancel a wedding. She winced at the sound of her own naive words. I mean, of course you can, but it’s not like calling off a tennis date. There’s a tremendous amount of work involved in bringing everything to a halt."

      "That’s your job. You get to be a wedding un-planner for a change."

      Are you even certain you want to? Just because the two of you have had a spat—

      Anabel turned on her, and the blaze in her eyes threatened to char Kara’s skin.

      Kara dismissed the possibility that Anabel was keeping silent out of remaining loyalty to her fiancé and she raised her estimate of Jax Montgomery’s misbehavior by a factor of three. Had Anabel caught him with a harem, for heaven’s sake?

      Deliberately she softened her voice. I just meant this is a big decision, Anabel. It can’t hurt to give it a little time, to be sure it’s what you want to do.

      Anabel’s words were crisply spaced. "The wedding is off. Cancel it. And I don’t want to hear another word about the entire subject, ever." Her convertible drew up in front of the steps and the valet leaped out as if he’d been sitting in a bonfire. Anabel slid behind the wheel.

      Kara put her hand on the door before Anabel could close it. Just a minute. It’s not that simple. I can’t just make one phone call and—

      Why should I care how many phone calls it takes? That’s your job, so do it.

      And there will be expenses involved in the cancellation. You’ve paid deposits, of course, but you can’t just leave the people you’ve hired high and dry. The contracts you signed specify fees in case of a change of plans. I don’t have the totals with me, but—

      Anabel laughed. Oh, really? I’m supposed to pay them for doing nothing? They can get other jobs if they’re as wonderful as you told me they were. Not that it matters. If you think I’m throwing another dime down the drain over this affair, you’re wrong. Now get out of my way.

      The engine roared, and Kara leaped back just as the BMW shot away, its tires squealing against the concrete drive.

      Curtis winced at the noise.

      "What in heaven’s name did he do? Kara rubbed her temple where a vein throbbed. For the queen of self-control to lose it like that—"

      Curtis shook his head and glanced around, making sure the valet was no longer within hearing. I have to tell you, Ms. Kara, it’s not like the old days around here.

      It’s a whole lot more interesting, I’ll bet. Though don’t tell me the former members never pulled any stunts. They couldn’t all be as straitlaced as my grandparents were.

      But no matter what the old-time members did, they never lacked class, Curtis said earnestly. Do you think the wedding is really off?

      Kara tipped her head to one side. "What makes you ask that? She sounded quite definite about it. I must admit I’d give a pretty penny to know exactly what the Sun King

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