Rebecca Russell - The Substitute Fiancée

The more of Mac’s body that remained covered the better.

Jessie had found it increasingly difficult to keep her mind on landscaping and off how he’d look stripped of his clothes and in her oversize tub. She had bubble bath, and more, she’d gladly share.

A bead of sweat dropped into her eye, pulling her out of her fantasy. Oh Lord, she was losing it. Too long in the sun. Too much exposure to a man wrong for her in too many ways to count.

She’d never intended to work on her backyard before the wedding. But she had needed a guaranteed distraction that would keep her too busy to think about, let alone fantasize about, a man completely off-limits.

Boy, had that plan backfired.

Dear Reader,

From hardworking singles to loving sisters, this month’s books are filled with lively, engaging heroines offering you an invitation into the world of Silhouette Romance…where fairy tales really do come true!

Arabia comes to America in the sultry, seductive Engaged to the Sheik (SR #1750) by Sue Swift, the fourth tale of the spellbinding IN A FAIRY TALE WORLD… miniseries. When a matchmaking princess leads a sexy sheik and a chic city girl into a fake engagement, tempers—and sparks—are sure to fly. Don’t miss a moment of the magic!

All work is lots of fun when you’re falling for the boss—and his adorable baby girl! Raye Morgan launches her BOARDROOM BRIDES miniseries with The Boss, the Baby and Me (SR #1751) in which a working girl discovers the high-powered exec she thought was a snake in the grass is actually the man of her dreams.

Twin sisters are supposed to help each other out. So when her glamorous business-minded sister gets cold feet, this staid schoolteacher agrees to switch places—as the bride! Will becoming The Substitute Fiancée (SR #1752) lead to happily ever after? Find out in this romantic tale from Rebecca Russell.

Rediscover the miracle of forgiveness in the latest book from DeAnna Talcott, A Ring and a Rainbow (SR #1753). As childhood sweethearts they’d promised each other forever, but that was a long time ago. Can these two adults get past their heartbreak to face the reality of a life together?

Sincerely,

Mavis C. Allen

Associate Senior Editor

www.millsandboon.co.uk

To Carole. I’m so blessed to have a sister to share childhood

memories with, and I’m looking forward to creating more

wonderful memories with each passing year.

And a big thanks to Vicki, Tammy, Karen, Judy and

Rob for all the brainstorming, critiques and

unwavering support. You’re the best!

Books by Rebecca Russell

Silhouette Romance

Right Where He Belongs #1575

The Substitute Fiancée#1752

REBECCA RUSSELL

Between racquetball, hockey, volunteering, writing and family, Rebecca Russell is an “at home” mom who is rarely home! She lives with her husband of nineteen years and a teenage son and daughter in Plano, Texas. Although grounded in her suburban life and small-town Ohio roots, Rebecca loves to spend time with flawed but heroic characters who find love and a happy ending.

Rebecca loves to hear from readers. You can write her at P.O. Box 852125, Richardson, TX 75085-2125, or e-mail her at rebecca_russell_22@yahoo.com.

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Epilogue

Prologue

“It’s bad luck to see your fiancée in her dress before the wedding, Mr. McKenna,” advised the woman draped in pearls and armed with a clipboard and pen. She stood dead center in a hallway decorated with wedding portraits of several famous pro football players.

Too bad the skilled but overpaid athletes couldn’t hop out of the pictures and run some interference right now, Mac McKenna thought wryly. He settled for a glare instead.

But the petite, obviously stubborn woman blocking his path didn’t blink, let alone budge.

“Are you sure I can’t convince you to wait out front?” the woman persisted.

Mac shook his head. He had no intention of spending one more minute than necessary in the main room of Brennan’s, the bridal boutique favored by the upper-crust of Dallas.

He’d never seen so many fussy, frilly things. Designer gowns tucked in clear plastic bags had taken over an entire wall. The satin shoes looked too pristine to wear, the intricate beading on the veils and gloves too delicate to actually use.

“Sir?”

“We’re not the superstitious type.” Besides, Jenna had asked him to come and give his opinion on the gown. For some reason, Jenna, usually independent and confident, had become a bundle of uncertainty since he’d proposed to her two months ago.

“Very well. Come with me. Ms. Taggert is in the first room.”

He followed the woman inside and stopped next to the couch; he wouldn’t be around long enough to sit. Jenna, wrapped in a swirl of cream-colored satin and lace, stood on a raised platform in front of a tri-fold mirror.

She looked stunning as always, her makeup perfect, every long blond hair in place. But instead of her trademark sexy smile, a pout marred her beautiful face.

“Are you sure this is the right dress for me, Mac?” She turned around slowly and studied the gown from every angle. “Maybe I should go with the Vera Wang. It has the beadwork I like.”

“It’s your call, Jenna, but this one looks fine to me.”

Jenna tossed her hair back and faced the mirror once again. “Fine? I don’t want a dress that’s just fine.” She sighed. “I’m marrying Dallas’s top trial lawyer. I need to impress. I guess I’ll just have to go through them all again.”

Mac checked his watch and fought a rising impatience. Jenna had given him the impression she had already made her decision and just wanted his approval. She of all people knew how his clients depended on him, how he committed one hundred and ten percent effort toward a win in the courtroom and didn’t have time to waste.

He caught the gaze of the consultant. “Can you give us a minute?”

She nodded and disappeared.

He approached his fiancée, who had always personified confidence but now seemed like some confused stranger. “I got to the number one spot because I’m tenacious about going after doctors and hospitals who are negligent.” He put his hands on her shoulders. “You have great taste. Just pick a dress, then meet me back at the office. We need to build an airtight case against the dirtbag of a doctor who almost cost the Carrolls their daughter’s life.”

“You’re right.” Jenna called for the consultant, who quickly reappeared. “Bring me the other five dresses that I narrowed it down to last week, and can you hurry?”

Jenna kissed his cheek. “You go on, and I’ll be there shortly. Promise.”

Mac made a quick exit, annoyed over the wasted trip and still perplexed by Jenna’s behavior. He had heard that wedding planning could cause stress, but he’d assumed she would handle it with the same confidence and focus she’d shown in her work since her first day of internship four years ago.

Three months earlier, when he’d offered her a partnership with the firm as a reward for such dedication, she’d quickly accepted, then surprised him with an offer of her own. “Why not take the partnership one step further?” she’d boldly suggested.