Susan Mallery - Beth and the Bachelor

New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery delivers her acclaimed story about how life—and love—can change in an instant.

Beth Davis's fairy-tale days are over...or so the single mother of two thinks. She suddenly finds herself on a date with her very own Prince Charming, millionaire bachelor Todd Graham. He’s smart, sexy and very eligible—everything a woman could want in a man. But Beth’s a suburban mom, and approaching forty… She’s not sure if she’s Cinderella material.

Todd was supposed to be raising money for charity, not auctioning off his heart, but he never expected to be so taken with his date. Something in Beth’s smile captures the Texas tycoon’s attention, and suddenly life as a bachelor seems less exciting than it used to. But they’re worlds apart, and building a life with Beth isn’t as simple as all that. Can these unlikely lovers find their courage—and the fairy-tale ending they deserve?

Beth and the Bachelor

Susan Mallery

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery delivers her acclaimed story about how life—and love—can change in an instant. Beth Davis's fairy-tale days are over...or so the single mother of two thinks. She suddenly finds herself on a date with her very own Prince Charming, millionaire bachelor Todd Graham. He’s smart, sexy and very eligible—everything a woman could want in a man. But Beth’s a suburban mom, and approaching forty… She’s not sure if she’s Cinderella material. Todd was supposed to be raising money for charity, not auctioning off his heart, but he never expected to be so taken with his date. Something in Beth’s smile captures the Texas tycoon’s attention, and suddenly life as a bachelor seems less exciting than it used to. But they’re worlds apart, and building a life with Beth isn’t as simple as all that. Can these unlikely lovers find their courage—and the fairy-tale ending they deserve?

Title Page Beth and the Bachelor Susan Mallery www.millsandboon.co.uk

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

‘‘You bought me what?’’ Beth Davis asked as she stared at the couple sitting across from her in her living room. A thunderstorm filled the late-afternoon sky.

Maybe she’d been hit by lightning and hadn’t noticed. That would explain why she thought Mike had said what he had. She shook her head, trying to clear her obviously confused hearing. He couldn’t have said that. Something was very wrong.

‘‘It’s not so awful,’’ her friend Cindy told her. ‘‘Really. I didn’t know he’d done it, but now that I think about it, it’s kinda sweet.’’

Beth tried to laugh, but the sound that came out was more of a moan. ‘‘Sweet. Of course. I’m sure that’s what he meant.’’ She turned her attention to Mike, Cindy’s husband. ‘‘What did you mean?’’

Mike grinned. The handsome bodyguard turned security agent wasn’t the least bit upset by her reaction. If Beth had to put money on something, she would bet that he was actually amused.

‘‘I thought I was doing you a favor. You’ve been talking about it for a long time. Cindy’s mentioned it several times. So I figured I would help things along.’’

Beth rose to her feet and crossed to the floor-to-ceiling windows that lined the wall of her family room. Outside, a storm raged, but its wildness couldn’t compare to the panic growing inside of her. ‘‘You’ve always hated me. I see that now. Was it something I did?’’

‘‘Beth, don’t,’’ Cindy said. ‘‘If it’s really going to be this horrible for you, you don’t have to do it.’’

‘‘Actually, she does,’’ Mike told her. ‘‘Hey, it’s for char ity.’’

Beth spun around and faced her two friends. She read the concern, along with a healthy dose of amusement in their expressions. She told herself they were trying to be helpful. They cared about her. She wouldn’t have made it through the past eighteen months if it hadn’t been for them. ‘‘But why did you have to buy me a man?’’ she asked.

‘‘I didn’t buy you a whole man. Just one night with him. A date. You’ll have fun,’’ Mike promised.

Beth made that moaning noise again. She sank into the nearest wing chair. ‘‘This is impossible.’’

‘‘No, it’s not.’’ Mike’s voice was firm. ‘‘It’s dinner at a fancy restaurant. He picks you up, you talk for a while, eat some nice food, come home. No big deal. I’ve met Todd Graham a couple of times and he seems like an okay kind of guy. Not as flashy as the newspapers say.’’

The slender thread of composure that had been holding her together snapped. Beth stared at Cindy, who was suddenly shifting uncomfortably on the sofa. ‘‘Todd Graham?’’ she asked.

Cindy nodded. ‘‘I’ve heard that he’s—’’

‘‘Todd Graham?’’ Beth repeated, cutting her off. ‘‘The Todd Graham. Local millionaire, charter member of the bimbo-of-the-month club?’’ She turned to Mike and glared at him. ‘‘You bought me a date with Todd Graham?’’

Mike looked confused. ‘‘Is that bad?’’

‘‘Not when compared with dating a serial killer.’’

‘‘I don’t understand,’’ he said. ‘‘Why does this make it worse?’’

‘‘I’m thirty-eight years old,’’ Beth said.

Mike leaned toward his wife. ‘‘Is that significant? Is this a female thing and am I missing the point?’’

Beth sprang to her feet. ‘‘I’m a thirty-eight-year-old mother of two. I have breasts and hips.’’

Mike flinched. ‘‘At the risk of being yelled at, most of the time guys actually appreciate women having those things.’’

‘‘Not when they’re this old. Todd Graham doesn’t want a woman, he wants a twenty-year-old fashion model, with a skinny body and no stretch marks. I can’t believe you did this, Mike.’’ She pointed at Cindy. ‘‘I can’t believe you let him. What am I supposed to do now? Go out with him?’’

‘‘That was the point,’’ Cindy said gently. ‘‘Beth, you’re overreacting. It’s just one night. A date for charity.’’

Beth slumped back in her chair. How could she explain this without coming off sounding like she was crazy? She drew in a deep breath—maybe it was too late to prevent that from happening. ‘‘It’s not that I don’t appreciate the thought,’’ she said. ‘‘I know you’re both worried about me and you think it’s time for me to start dating. Maybe it is. Maybe I need a jump-start. But not like this. I don’t need the public humiliation.’’

‘‘There isn’t going to be any humiliation,’’ Cindy said earnestly. ‘‘You’re a very attractive woman, Beth. He’s going to adore you.’’

‘‘I’m middle-aged, I’ve gained twenty pounds since Darren died, Todd Graham and I have nothing in common. I don’t want to meet the man. I don’t want to be compared with postadolescents who look younger than my daughter. Besides, he’s rich. I hate that in a man.’’

Mike rose to his feet. ‘‘That’s it. I’m outta here.’’ He crossed to Beth, bent down and kissed her cheek. ‘‘This is about to turn into female talk and you’re going to say things I know I don’t want to hear. Beth, I bought you this date because I thought it would be fun for you. If you don’t want to go because you feel it’s morally wrong, I’ll respect that. If you’re just scared to get out there, then you’re going. If you don’t, I’ll never come over and fix a leaky faucet again.’’