Marrying Daisy Bellamy

“Rich with life lessons, nod-along moments and

characters with whom readers can easily relate….

Delightful and wise, Wiggs’s latest shines.”

—Publishers Weekly

“A wonderfully written, beautiful love story

with a few sharp edges and a bunch of marvelously

imperfect characters … sure to leave an indelible

impression on even the most jaded reader.”

—RT Book Reviews [Top Pick]

THE WINTER LODGE

#1 Best Romance of 2007—Amazon.com

A Best Book of 2007—Publishers Weekly Reviewer’s Choice finalist—RT Book Reviews

“With the ease of a master, Wiggs introduces

complicated, flesh-and-blood characters …

a refreshingly honest romance.”

—Publishers Weekly [starred review]

“Empathetic protagonists,

interesting secondary characters,

well-written flashbacks and delicious recipes

add depth to this touching, complex romance.”

—Library Journal

“Emotionally intense.”

—Booklist

SUMMER AT WILLOW LAKE

A Best Book of 2006—Amazon.com

“Wiggs’s storytelling is heartwarming …

clutter free … [for] romance and women’s fiction

readers of any age.”—Publishers Weekly

“Wonderfully evoked characters,

a spellbinding story line and insights

into the human condition will appeal to every reader.”

—Booklist

Marrying Daisy Bellamy

The Lakeshore Chronicles

SUSAN WIGGS

www.mirabooks.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

This book is dedicated to my readers.

When Daisy Bellamy first sneaked into

Summer at Willow Lake years ago, a sullen teenager with a chip on her shoulder, she was meant to just pass through the series. Instead, you kept her in your hearts, book after book, patiently waiting for her story to be told. You’ve helped me stay motivated to write “ Daisy’s story” for years. Many thanks for inspiring me to send this character on her own journey.

Acknowledgments

I owe a very special thank you to the real Andrea and Brian Hubble, and to Kay Fritchman and her furry family for their generous contributions.

When it comes to some books, the author is in need of a literary “pit crew” to keep everything in proper working order right up until the final lap. This book’s pit crew included (but wasn’t limited to) my friends and fellow writers—Anjali Banerjee, Kate Breslin, Sheila Roberts and Elsa Watson; Margaret O’Neill Marbury and Adam Wilson of MIRA Books; Meg Ruley and Annelise Robey of the Jane Rotrosen Agency.

Part One

One

The bridegroom was so handsome, Daisy Bellamy’s heart nearly melted at the sight of him. Please, she thought. Oh, please let’s get it right this time.

He offered her a brief, nervous smile.

“Come on,” she said in a barely audible whisper, “once more with feeling. Say I love you, and mean it. Show me what you’re feeling.”

He was a storybook prince, in his dove-gray swallowtail tux, every hair in place, adoration beaming from every pore. He stared intently into her eyes and, in a voice that broke with sincerity, said, “I love you.”

“Yes,” Daisy whispered back. “Got it,” she added, and lowered the camera away from her face. “That’s what I’m talking about. Good going, Brian.”

The videographer moved in to capture the reaction of the newly minted bride, a flushed and pretty young woman named Andrea Hubble. Using his video camera as an extra appendage, Zach Alger gently coached the couple with a word or two and soon had them talking intimately about their love, their hopes and dreams, their happiness on this glorious day.