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for Susan Mallery
“Susan Mallery is one of my favourites.”
—No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber
“Romance novels don’t get much better than Mallery’s expert blend of emotional nuance, humour and superb storytelling.”
—Booklist
“Touching, insightful, and funny, this lively romance addresses some serious relationship issues as it delivers another satisfying, pageturning winner.”
—Library Journal on Kiss Me
“Heartwarming… Deft characterisation and an absorbing story line will keep readers coming back.”
—Publishers Weekly on When We Met
“Ms Mallery masterfully weaves new characters into the fabric of Fool’s Gold, but always catches us up on the lives of its very unique residents. Fool’s Gold has a certain rhythm that makes it a warm, homey place with a little bit of magic.”
—Fresh Fiction on Thrill Me
“The wildly popular and prolific Mallery can always be counted on to tell an engaging story of modern romance.”
—Booklist
“Mallery infuses her story with eccentricity, gentle humour, and small-town shenanigans.”
—Publishers Weekly on Summer Days
Also by Susan Mallery
Blackberry Island
Evening Stars
Three Sisters
Barefoot Season
Mischief Bay
The Friends We Keep
The Girls of Mischief Bay
A Million Little Things
Daughters of the Bride
Fool’s Gold
Best of My Love
Marry Me at Christmas
Thrill Me
Kiss Me
Hold Me
Until We Touch
Before We Kiss
When We Met
Christmas on 4th Street
Three Little Words
Two of a Kind
Just One Kiss
A Fool’s Gold Christmas
All Summer Long
Summer Nights
Summer Days
Only His
Only Yours
Only Mine
Finding Perfect
Almost Perfect
Chasing Perfect
To see the complete list of titles available from Susan Mallery, please visit www.SusanMallery.com.
New York Times bestselling author SUSAN MALLERY has won the hearts of millions of readers around the world with books described as ‘immensely entertaining, intensely emotional’ (RT Book Reviews), ‘hilarious’ (Fort Worth Star-Telegram) and ‘heartwarming’ (Publishers Weekly). While she deeply appreciates the accolades of critics and booksellers, Mallery is even more honoured by the enthusiasm of her readers and the word of mouth that catapults her towards the top of the bestseller lists time and again.
Mallery lives in not-so-sunny Seattle with her husband and a toy poodle who makes her laugh every day and who’s not even a little bit impressed by her growing fame. Visit Susan online at www.susanmallery.com.
I’m one of the luckiest authors in the world. Seriously, I have the best readers anywhere. This book is dedicated to the delightful, creative and fun Kim V.R. I’m thrilled that your girls’ week friends, radiation friends and Inez got you addicted to romance, and I adored meeting you.
And…
To reader Paula B., who asked that this book be “dedicated to my son Tom B. for making my dream come true.”
“DO THEY KNOW THEY LOOK like pumpkins?”
Madeline Krug appreciated that Rosalind asked the question very softly. One of the first rules of running a successful wedding gown store was to not insult the bride or her wedding party. And while she normally would have mentioned that to her assistant, in this case the question was kind of legitimate.
It wasn’t just the very full skirt on the bridesmaids’ dresses. A billowing that was oddly, well, pumpkin shaped. It wasn’t the colors, which ranged from tangerine to coral to, um, pumpkin. But when those two elements were put together with a pale green crown of leaves and tiny flowers on each of their six heads, the overall effect was just a little…pumpkiny.
“The bride told me this is exactly what she wanted,” Madeline murmured. “That she’s been dreaming about her wedding since she was a little girl and these are the dresses she pictured. She was thrilled we could find them.”
Madeline smiled at her assistant. “Every bride has a perfect dress and a vision for what she wants her wedding party to look like. Our job is to find out what that dream is and make it come true.”
Rosalind looked doubtful, but nodded, as if taking mental notes.
The fortysomething brunette had been working at Paper Moon for about a month now. With her kids all in middle and high school, she’d wanted to return to the workforce. Madeline needed someone she could depend on and Rosalind came with good references. So far, they were doing well as a team, although Rosalind still found the various bridal idiosyncrasies surprising.
Madeline returned her attention to the wedding party. She double-checked the fit of each dress, confirmed the bride was giddy with happiness, then promised a final pressing before the dresses were picked up the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Because the, um, pumpkin wedding was the Saturday after the holiday.
By three o’clock the bridal party had left. Madeline retreated to her office to finish up some paperwork. After processing invoices, confirming a couple of deliveries and noting when her favorite bridal designer’s new summer collection would be available, she leaned back in her chair and allowed herself a rare moment of contentment.
She loved her job. She wasn’t saving the world or finding a new source of renewable energy—but in her own small way, she helped people be happy. Brides came in all shapes, sizes and temperaments, but for the most part, she loved each one of them. She loved the look on their faces when they found the right dress. The happy tears were so satisfying.
Sure there was drama, but she could handle a little drama. It kept things interesting. And when the drama was over and the bride emailed her a picture of herself on the big day, well, nothing was sweeter.
She was just plain lucky, she thought. If not in love, then certainly in every other part of her life. Because—
“Hello, Madeline.”
Two simple words spoken in a kind voice. That should have been fine. Or even nice. Instead, Madeline stared at the well-dressed woman standing in the doorway of her office and knew that her life was about to change. She couldn’t say how or why, but as surely as the