Leigh Michaels - Wife On Approval

“I don’t suppose you’d like to explain why on earth you think it would be a good idea.”

Austin frowned. “I thought it would be obvious.”

“Maybe you could hit the high spots,” Paige suggested hopefully. “Just so we’re both clear on what kind of a deal we’re talking about. I mean, you wouldn’t want me to get the crazy idea that you’ve fallen madly in love with me the last few days. Would you?”

“That would be a little uncomfortable,” Austin agreed.

“So why do you want to—” she hoped he’d miss the tiny quaver in her voice “—marry me?”

Three single women, one home-help agency—and three professional bachelors in search of…a wife?

*Are you a busy executive with a demanding career?

*Do you need help with those time-consuming everyday errands?

*Ever wished you could hire a house-sitter, caterer…or even a glamorous partner for that special social occasion?

Meet Cassie, Sabrina and Paige—three independent women who’ve formed a business taking care of those troublesome domestic crises.

And meet the three gorgeous bachelors who are simply looking for a little help…and instead discover they’ve hired Ms. Right!

HUSBAND ON DEMAND #3600

BRIDE ON LOAN #3604

WIFE ON APPROVAL #3608

www.millsandboon.co.uk

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

THE deli had obviously been busy through the lunch hour, for when Paige came in, the serving counter looked as if it had been ravaged by a horde of hungry sailors. She eyed the feeble remains and said, “Just a cup of soup, please.”

Looking doubtful, the woman at the counter stirred the contents of the big black soup kettle. “There’s not much left but broth, I’m afraid, Ms. McDermott. Now that the lunch rush is past, I’m just starting to restock the sandwich bar, if you’d rather have something heartier. The pastrami is extra good today, the mustard’s really hot, and the rye bread is so fresh you can smell it across the room.”

Paige’s stomach churned at the very idea of the spicy combination. “No, thanks. The soup will do just ne.” She carried her thick stoneware mug over to a table where her two business partners were already seated.

Sabrina looked up with a smile and pushed her sandwich wrappings aside to make room for Paige, tipping over her half-full iced tea glass in the process.

Cassie fielded the glass, set it upright without losing a drop, and said without rancor, “Perhaps I was being foolish, Sabrina, to hope that falling in love and settling down would make you just a little less—”

“Clumsy?” Sabrina asked brightly.

“I was going to say, exuberant.”

“You don’t need to hesitate for fear of hurting my feelings, darling. Caleb doesn’t—he says he’s going to have his tuxedo tailored out of the stuff they use for bulletproof vests, just in case I trip over the train of my gown and slam into him at the altar.”

“Not only knocking down the groom but pushing all the ushers over like dominoes, I suppose,” Cassie mused.

Ushers. Paige didn’t want to ask who Sabrina’s fiancé had ended up asking to accompany him at his wedding; she was afraid she already knew the answer. “Have you ever thought of eloping?” she asked.

“Frequently,” Sabrina said dryly. “Especially since my mother got into the act and started coming up with ideas to make my wedding truly unique. But do I sense a little personal tension in that question? You can tell me, Paige. You don’t like the bridesmaids’ dresses I chose?”

“I wouldn’t know,” Paige said. “I haven’t had time to get to the shop to look at them.”

Cassie gathered up the remains of her lunch. “They’re absolutely luscious—but have you ever known Sabrina to choose something that’s not?”

“Not exactly,” Paige murmured. “Sabrina’s taste is flawless—as long as we’re leaving Halloween costumes out of the discussion.”

Sabrina sipped her tea. “You looked great in that costume, and you know it. Besides, Halloween is ancient history. Let’s not be distracted from the real news of the day, which is that Paige is half an hour late for a business meeting. I’m not lecturing you, mind, just pointing out that this has never been known to happen before.”

Paige shrugged off the question. “You wouldn’t believe the crowd at the supermarket. It’s hard enough to try to stock a kitchen from scratch, but having to fight through the aisles in order to do it—”

“Austin Weaver’s kitchen?” Cassie asked.

Paige nodded.

“Tough job,” Sabrina sympathized. “I wouldn’t have any idea what to buy.”

“That’s an understatement,” Cassie murmured. “When was the last occasion when you spent any time in a kitchen, Sabrina? Other than walking in to refill your coffee cup, I mean.”

“That’s easy. Just this morning.” Sabrina grinned. “Of course, I was hanging new blinds for a client, I wasn’t cooking, but—”

“The client should be grateful. And Austin should thank his good fortune that Paige is the one who drew this assignment.”

Paige stared at her soup and thought that Austin Weaver was unlikely to do any such thing. Of course, if she had any luck at all, he might not ever know who had arranged the pantry shelves in his new apartment.

“That reminds me.” Cassie pulled a bundle of cards from her leather tote bag and flourished them. “I had a great idea last week.”

“New business cards?” Paige reached for one. “I thought we had plenty of the old style yet.”

“Job cards,” Cassie corrected. “To leave after each job is completed.” She held up one of the bits of paper and read, “’Your service today was happily provided by Rent-A-Wife. Every working person needs a wife!’ And then there’s our phone number and a spot to sign, so each client will know exactly who did the errand and how to call for additional service.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t have individual cards made, with the names already printed,” Paige said.

“Should I have? I thought the actual signature would be more personal. Don’t you like the idea, Paige?” Cassie sounded downcast. “We’re proud of our work, so why not share that fact with our clients?”

“It’s a good idea.” It’s just the timing that’s bad. Of course, because the cards existed didn’t mean she had to use them, Paige thought. She could conveniently forget—at least at certain job sites…. “I have to be going.” She pushed her soup aside. “I have Austin’s groceries in the van.”

“You haven’t finished your lunch,” Sabrina pointed out. “Not that it was adequate in the first place.”

Paige shrugged. “I’ll be cooking this afternoon, so I’ll no doubt nibble.”

“What are you making for the Weavers to eat on their first night in Denver?” Cassie asked casually.

“A chicken and rice casserole. I can leave it in the oven so it’ll be ready whenever they arrive.”

Cassie looked doubtful. “Will Austin’s little girl eat rice? Didn’t he say she’s five? Sometimes kids that age are awfully picky about their food.”