The Bride Plan

The Bride Plan
Kasey Michaels

Groom needed! As proprietor of the Second-Chance bridal salon, Chessie couldn’t exactly avoid thinking about weddings. But her friends’ quest to find her a man had her running for cover. Her safe haven used to be her shop, until renovator Jace invaded her space. Soon Jace found himself wanting to be the only man in Chessie’s life – but he’d walked down the aisle once before and vowed never to do so again.So how could he keep things light with a woman whose business was marriage? Especially once her friends dubbed him the perfect groom-to-be!

Praise forUSA TODAYbestselling author Kasey Michaels

“Lots of witty dialogue and humorous situations.”

—RT Book Reviews on Suddenly a Bride

“Funny, down-to-earth and likable characters, along with

snappy dialogue, make this story one that’s hard to put down.”

—RT Book Reviews on A Bride After All

“Kasey Michaels aims for the heart and never misses.”

—New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts

“Michaels’ new Regency miniseries is a joy. This wonderful

storyteller combines passion, humor, emotional intensity

and depth of characterization with a devastating secret and

attempted murder. She makes it all work and shows how the

power of love can overcome. You will laugh and even shed a

tear over this touching romance.”

—RT Book Reviews on How to Tempt a Duke (4½ stars Top Pick)

“Michaels delivers a poignant and highly satisfying read.

The second Daughtry family book is filled with simmering

sensuality, subtle touches of repartee, a hero out for revenge and

a heroine ripe for adventure. You’ll enjoy the ride.”

—RT Book Reviews on How to Tame a Lady

“Known for developing likable characters and humorous

situations, Michaels adds an element of danger and suspense to

this sexy romp.”

—RT Book Reviews on Dial M for Mischief

“Michaels has done it again … Witty dialogue peppers a plot full

of delectable details exposing the foibles and follies of the age.”

—Publishers Weekly, starred review, on The Butler Did It

“[A] hilarious spoof of society wedding rituals wrapped around a

sensual romance filled with crackling dialogue reminiscent of

The Philadelphia Story.” —Publishers Weekly on Everything’s Coming Up Rosie

Dear Reader,

It has been such a pleasure writing about Second Chance Bridal, and I hope you’ve enjoyed reading the first two books in the trilogy, A Bride After All and Suddenly a Bride.

If so, you’ve already met Chessie Burton, owner of Second Chance Bridal, and her friend Marylou Smith-Bitters (one of my favorite characters ever!).

Well, now it’s time for left-at-the-altar Chessie to find her true love, her own second chance. And if Marylou has anything to do with it, we’re in for a fun ride!

Come along as Chessie discovers a passionate side of herself she didn’t think she had, and a handsome contractor looking for anything but love gets the surprise of his life!

Enjoy!

Kasey Michaels

About the Author

KASEY MICHAELS is a USA TODAY bestselling author of more than one hundred books. She has earned three starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, and has won a RITA

Award from Romance Writers of America, an RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award, Waldenbooks and Bookrak awards and several other commendations for her writing excellence in both contemporary and historical novels. Kasey resides in Pennsylvania with her family, where she is always at work on her next book.

Readers may contact Kasey via her website, Kasey Michaels.com.

The Bride Plan

Kasey Michaels

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

To my pal Joan Hohl—because it has been a while …

Prologue

Elizabeth Hollingswood sat on a blanket on the grassy hillside overlooking the baseball diamond, her friends Claire and Nick Barrington occupying the next blanket. The sun was bright, the freshly mowed grass smelled wonderful and the small white petals of the flowering crab trees that lined the street bordering the ball field, loosened by the breeze, made Elizabeth think of a soft, fragrant snow shower. It was a perfect afternoon. Well, at least for those not suffering from pollen allergies, she corrected mentally as Nick sneezed.

It was another spring, and another Grasshopper baseball season. Elizabeth smiled as she watched her husband, Will, going through the signals from the third-base coaching box, first touching a finger to his nose, then to his chin, and then tipping his cap before rubbing a hand across his chest and beginning again, the signals now to cap, chin, nose.