Susan Wiggs - Marrying Daisy Bellamy

“Wiggs is one of our best observers of

stories of the heart. She knows how to capture

emotion on virtually every page of every book.”

—Salem Statesman-Journal

“Wiggs’s talent is reflected in her thoroughly

believable characters as well as the way she recognizes

the importance of family by blood or other ties.”

—Library Journal

“Susan Wiggs writes with bright assurance,

humor and compassion.”

—Luanne Rice

“An emotionally gripping tale centered on family.

Wiggs is back in top form, and Daisy Bellamy’s

many fans will rejoice that her story is next.”

—Booklist

“[A] wonderful getaway to be savored and enjoyed.”

—Bookreporter

“Wiggs hits all the right notes.”

—Library Journal [starred review]

“Wiggs concocts a terrifically tasty holiday confection

sure to be enjoyed by fans and new readers alike.

A keeper.”

—RT Book Reviews [Top Pick]

#1 New York Times Bestseller

A Best Book of 2009—Amazon.com

“Worth a look for the often-hilarious dialogue alone,

the latest installment of her beloved Lakeshore

Chronicles showcases Wiggs’s justly renowned gifts for

storytelling and characterization. A keeper.”

—RT Book Reviews

A Best Book of 2008—Amazon.com

Reviewer’s Choice finalist— RT Book Reviews RITA® Award finalist

“Wiggs is at the top of her game here,

combining a charming setting with subtly

shaded characters and more than a touch of humor.

This is the kind of book a reader doesn’t want to see

end but can’t help devouring as quickly as possible.”

—RT Book Reviews [Top Pick]

“Wiggs jovially juggles the lives of

numerous colliding characters and adds some

winter-favorite recipes for a festive touch.”

—Publishers Weekly

“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]

#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

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

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.

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.

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.

Daisy took a candid shot of the couple as they leaned in for another kiss. In the background, a loon beat skyward from Willow Lake, droplets of water sparkling like stars in the glow of early twilight. The beauty of nature added a sheen of romance to the moment. Daisy was good at capturing romance in her camera frame. In life—not so much.

She longed to feel the joy she saw in her clients’ faces, but her own romantic past was a series of mistakes and missed chances. Now here she was, a screwup trying to unscrew her life. She had a small son who didn’t realize his mom was a screwup, a responsible job and an unadmitted yearning for something she couldn’t have—that shining love her camera observed through its very expensive lens.

“I think we’re done here,” Zach said, checking his watch. “And you guys have a big party to go to.”

The bridal couple squeezed each other’s hands, their faces wreathed in smiles. Daisy could feel the excitement coming off them in waves. “Biggest party of our lives,” said Andrea. “I want it to be perfect.”

It won’t be, thought Daisy, keeping her camera at the ready. Some of the best shots happened at random, unplanned moments. The flaws were what made a wedding special and memorable. The glory of imperfection was one of the first things she’d discovered when she’d started working as a wedding photographer. Every event, no matter how carefully planned, had its imperfections. There would always be a groomsman facedown in the punch bowl, a collapsing pavilion tent, somebody’s hair on fire when they leaned too close to the candles, an overweight, fainting auntie, a wailing infant.