A Wedding for Christmas

A Wedding for Christmas
Marie Ferrarella

Just how…committed…is he?There is nothing Cristina Roman loves more than being a mom. Although working as the chef at her family’s inn, Ladera by the Sea, is a close second. And a quickly rising third is her new – or actually old – love interest, Shane McCallister, the local contractor.After her soldier husband’s tragic death, Cris thought she would never be able to move on. But with the way Shane bonds with her five-year-old son, she might be persuaded. Except then her in-laws sue her for custody of Ricky. Now facing every mother’s worst nightmare, she’ll do anything not to lose her child, and Shane is determined to help. Could her sister’s Christmas wedding be their inspiration?

“And just how would I go about getting this mythical husband?”

She slanted a look toward Shane. “Shall I advertise for one or should I just go straight to that online site and say something to the effect that I’d like one husband, please. No chores will be required, no expertise necessary. Must be able to stand and look manly when so-called ‘wife’ deals with fire-breathing former in-laws.”

She knew she sounded hysterical but she couldn’t stop—she was spiraling out of control.

“Sounds like a piece of cake to me. How about you? Sound like a piece of cake to you? Or do you know something I don’t about locating a husband who’d be a willing stand-in?”

“Not sure I understand what you mean by a stand-in,” Shane said, “but I’d be willing.”

“Willing?” she echoed, confused. “Willing to what?”

“I’d be willing to marry you so you could retain custody of Ricky.”

Five sets of eyes turned to stare at him at the same time.

Dear Reader,

Welcome back to Ladera by the Sea, a charming 120-year-old family-run bed-and-breakfast in San Diego with a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean. You might recall meeting the family—Richard Roman and his four daughters, Alexandra, Christina, Stephanie and Andrea, in the first book, Innkeeper’s Daughter. That book saw oldest daughter workaholic Alex come to grips with her true feelings for Wyatt Taylor, someone she had grown up knowing and verbally sparring with for years. You’ve returned just in time for their wedding. But, before that can take place, second daughter Cris, the Inn’s resident chef, has to learn how to finally move past the heartache of losing her first husband and recognize the love that’s been in her own backyard all along. Thrown into this is a pending custody battle with her well-to-do former in-laws who are suing for sole custody of her five-year-old son, Ricky. Curious? Good. Come, read and I promise that all secrets will be revealed.

As always, I thank you for taking the time to read my book and from the bottom of my heart, I wish you someone to love who loves you back.

All the best,

Marie Ferrarella

www.marieferrarella.com

A Wedding for Christmas

Marie Ferrarella

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

MARIE FERRARELLA

is a USA TODAY bestselling and RITA

Award-winning author, and has written more than 240 books, some under the name Marie Nicole. As of January 2013, she has been published for 30 years. She earned a master’s degree in Shakespearean comedy and, perhaps as a result, her writing is distinguished by humor and natural dialogue. Her goal is to entertain and to make people laugh and feel good. Her romances are beloved by fans worldwide. Visit her website, www.marieferrarella.com.

To

Nancy Diamond

&

Wendy Brower

For telling me

About their grandmother’s

Azalea plant

Contents

PROLOGUE (#u6f8ca9fb-e8fd-53c3-b75d-6a419404b7e5)

CHAPTER ONE (#ue5b3dc3a-e8c4-5192-adf2-0f2734dab716)

CHAPTER TWO (#uce55f69c-69d2-5af4-952c-d103327c57ed)

CHAPTER THREE (#uc22b5e30-33b7-50d9-8da2-6237837a844c)

CHAPTER FOUR (#u6eec33de-9297-56a3-a321-d74b70aef4d6)

CHAPTER FIVE (#ufc40683f-1730-575e-a822-70fe7cce796d)

CHAPTER SIX (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER EIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER NINE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER ELEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TWELVE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER FOURTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER FIFTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SIXTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER NINETEEN (#litres_trial_promo)