The Wedding Adventure

“This bed is big enough for the two of us.”

Cynthia bit her bottom lip. “We’re just friends, right?”

Cade smiled. “Right.” But after kissing her… “You know what, you can have the bed. I’ll sleep on the ground.”

“Take the bed. I don’t mind the floor.”

“This is ridiculous,” Cade said. “We’re both adults.”

“That’s true.” Cynthia didn’t sound so confident. “It’s just a b-bed.”

“Exactly. Besides, I’m tired,” he pointed out.

“Good, we’ll both sleep.” Her cheeks reddened. “I mean—”

“I know what you mean.” If they were both tired, they would simply sleep. But part of him prayed that wasn’t true.

Dear Reader,

We’ve been busy here at Silhouette Romance cooking up the next batch of tender, emotion-filled romances to add extra sizzle to your day.

First on the menu is Laurey Bright’s modern-day Sleeping Beauty story, With His Kiss (#1660). Next, Melissa McClone whips up a sensuous, Survivor-like tale when total opposites must survive two weeks on an island, in The Wedding Adventure (#1661). Then bite into the next juicy SOULMATES series addition, The Knight’s Kiss (#1663) by Nicole Burnham, about a cursed knight and the modern-day princess who has the power to unlock his hardened heart.

We hope you have room for more, because we have three other treats in store for you. First, popular Silhouette Romance author Susan Meier turns on the heat in The Nanny Solution (#1662), the third in her DAYCARE DADS miniseries about single fathers who learn the ABCs of love. Then, in Jill Limber’s Captivating a Cowboy (#1664), are a city girl and a dyed-in-the-wool cowboy a recipe for disaster…or romance? Finally, Lissa Manley dishes out the laughs with The Bachelor Chronicles (#1665), in which a sassy journalist is assigned to get the city’s most eligible—and stubborn—bachelor to go on a blind date!

I guarantee these heartwarming stories will keep you satisfied until next month when we serve up our list of great summer reads.

Happy reading!

Mary-Theresa Hussey

Senior Editor

The Wedding Adventure

Melissa McClone

www.millsandboon.co.uk

To the Goalies for their friendship, support and love.

Books by Melissa McClone

Silhouette Romance

If the Ring Fits… #1431

The Wedding Lullaby #1485

His Band of Gold #1537

In Deep Waters #1608

The Wedding Adventure #1661

Yours Truly

Fiancé for the Night

MELISSA McCLONE

With a degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University, the last thing Melissa McClone ever thought she would be doing is writing romance novels, but analyzing engines for a major U.S. airline just couldn’t compete with her “happily-ever-afters.”

When she isn’t writing, caring for her two young children or doing laundry, Melissa loves to curl up on the couch with a cup of tea, her cats and a good book. She is also a big fan of The X-Files and enjoys watching home decorating shows to get ideas for her house—a 1939 cottage that is slowly being renovated.

Melissa lives in Lake Oswego, Oregon, with her own real-life hero husband, daughter, son, two lovable but oh-so-spoiled indoor cats and a no-longer stray outdoor kitty who decided to call the garage home. Melissa loves to hear from readers. You can write to her at P.O. Box 63, Lake Oswego, OR 97034.

Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Epilogue

Prologue

The house was too quiet.

Sitting in his library, Henry Davenport tapped his Mont Blanc pen against the top of his mahogany desk, but the floor-to-ceiling bookcases absorbed the sound. He dropped the pen and glanced around the room looking for something to do.

Dickens, Hawking, Clancy, Gardner… He wasn’t in the mood to read any of the books on the shelves. His housekeeper had placed all his magazines in the recycling bin. A fire hazard was what she’d called the stack he kept by the library door.

TV wasn’t an option. He’d surfed through all the cable channels and over 500 more on his three different satellite dishes. He had no shows left on his TiVo to watch. He was all caught up. And he’d already seen all his DVDs and videos.

Music. That would do the trick. He touched the play button on the CD remote. The jazzy strains of a trumpet filled the air.

Nice, but Henry wasn’t in the mood for jazz. He hit another button. Vivaldi. Classical wouldn’t do. Easy listening. Forget about it. Blues. Not today. Hard rock, folk, alternative, country. He made his way through the one hundred CDs stored in his player. Not one would do.

Tomorrow he’d have to buy a hundred different ones. Obviously his musical tastes had changed.

But what about now?

His Portland, Oregon, estate was deserted due to the annual retreat he sponsored for his staff. The silence had never affected Henry before, but tonight…

The quiet was a problem. He needed…something.

One phone call and he could fill the house or a club with more friends than he knew what to do with. But that wasn’t what he wanted, either. It had to be something else.

The plans for his upcoming birthday party were nearly completed. All that remained was the escrow closing on the private island he’d purchased. So why did he feel as if something were missing? Something important.

Henry stared at the neat stacks of files in front of him. The invitations, the party arrangements, even the adventure. He opened the top file and studied the guest list. He’d checked and double-checked who would be joining him for an all-expense paid trip to Hawaii to attend his birthday bash on April Fools’ Day. No one had been left off. He’d made certain.

The next file was about the party itself. From the catering to the live entertainment, no detail had been ignored. This year’s traditional luau/tropical paradise party at one of Hawaii’s most exclusive resorts was several steps up from last year’s tacky wedding theme in Reno, Nevada.

Tacky or not, that party had been his best. It would be difficult if not impossible to top Reno’s success. But Henry had to try.

Each year, he threw himself a birthday party and sent two of his guests on an adventure. Every year got better, more elaborate, more fun. He thought the participants enjoyed it, too.

Maybe that was the problem. He didn’t want to let his guests down. They’d come to expect certain things from him. Though none had expected him to act like Cupid.

Last year, he’d tried something new and played matchmaker with the adventure participants. The result—two of his best friends, Brett Matthews and Laurel Worthington, had fallen in love and married for real. Henry was now godfather to their almost three-month-old beautiful baby daughter, Noelle.

He stared at the half dozen pictures of Noelle on his desk and warmth surrounded his heart. He still couldn’t believe someone so tiny could fill him with so much love. He couldn’t wait to watch her grow, to be a part of all the milestones in her life. He already had a roomful of presents waiting for her. Everything from a life-size rocking horse to a strand of Mikamoto pearls. Bringing Noelle’s parents together had been the right thing. Not only for Brett and Laurel, but Henry, too.

And that’s when it hit him.

Something was wrong with this year’s party and adventure. Something enormous. He couldn’t go back to his old way of allowing fate to pick the participants. He might not be one for marriage, but he’d seen how happy Brett and Laurel were together. Henry wanted all his friends to experience the same happiness. And if he ended up with more godchildren, he wouldn’t complain. Not one bit.

Excitement rushed through him. This was the feeling that had been missing. With a grin, Henry picked up his pen and studied the names on his guest list.

Who would be the next two to live happily ever after?

Chapter One

“Why did you drag me away from Travis?” Cynthia Sterling was not happy with Henry Davenport and could care less if today was his thirty-fourth birthday. “We were having such a good time.”

“A good time?” Henry, wearing a green and white Hawaiian shirt and shorts, led her through the grand ballroom at one of Hawaii’s top resorts. His April Fools’ Day Bacchanalian birthday parties were legendary. This year’s Polynesian paradise theme, complete with tiki torches illuminating the path from the tastefully decorated ballroom to the beach and luau, was no exception. Henry’s customary style and taste were everywhere, not to mention the added touches—such as the beautiful and talented hula dancers—that provided local flavor. But his ever-present smile had all but disappeared. “Travis was about to drool.”

She hadn’t imagined that. Cynthia wet her lips. “So?”

“The man’s obsessed with you, darling.”

“Obsessed is such a strong word. I prefer infatuated.”

“How about pathetic?” Henry suggested with a tilt of his beachcomber hat. “No matter, he’ll get over it.”

“Not if I can help it.” Travis had the qualities she wanted in a husband. He hung on her every word, thought she could do no wrong and wanted to give her the world. “He’s perfect.”

“You can do better than Travis Drummond.”

“What if I don’t want to do better?”

“He’s already jilted one bride at the altar.”

“He told me,” Cynthia admitted. “It wasn’t his fault.”

“It never is,” Henry muttered.

She ignored him, glanced back and spotted a frowning Travis among the other guests. She wouldn’t call him classically handsome like Henry and several of the other men in her social circle, but Travis Drummond was cute with a farm boy sort of charm, a sweet grin and a mind-boggling net worth. Like her, he was an only child. He had mentioned feeling lonely, how he wanted to settle down with the right woman and start a family. Cynthia had used every ounce of willpower to keep herself from hauling him off to a judge right then. She felt the same way. Except about finding the right woman. She needed the right man to be her husband and the father of her children.

Travis could be the one. He adored her. She liked him. What more could she want in a marriage?

His gaze met hers. He stared at her as if she were the only woman in the crowded room. In his eyes, she was and a rush of feminine power surged through her. All of her close friends were either married or engaged. She wanted the same comfort and security they had found.

Cynthia mouthed “later.” Travis smiled. Maybe feeling lonely was going to be a thing of the past…for both of them.

She adjusted the hibiscus in her hair and looked up at Henry. “Travis thinks I’m the best thing he’s ever come across.”

“You are.” Henry sounded sincere, but he always said the right words. His reputation as a playboy and heart-breaker was well-earned. He oozed charm, but Cynthia was immune. He was a good friend, the closest thing she had to a big brother. She’d met him when she was a debutante and they had become fast friends despite the difference in their ages. Dating him wasn’t an option. They’d tried once five years ago right after she’d turned twenty-one. It felt weird, uncomfortable, wrong. They were destined to be nothing more than friends. Both were happy with that. “But before you settle on becoming Mrs. Travis Drummond, there’s someone else I want you to meet first.”

“Who?”

“Cade Waters.”

“Waters.” The name didn’t sound familiar. She knew most of the families of the rich and the eligible. “Should I know him?”

“His full name is Cade Armstrong Waters.”

She stopped walking. “Armstrong International?”

Henry nodded. “He’s one of the nephews.”

Nephew, cousin, distant relative. It didn’t matter. The Armstrongs were so wealthy they made Travis Drummond’s net worth seem like milk money. But even better was the family itself, something Travis couldn’t give her.

The Armstrongs were a large, extended family of movers and shakers who made millions and headlines. And royalty since Christina Armstrong had married His Serene Highness Prince Richard De Thierry of San Montico. A princess for a cousin-in-law. Now that would make family get-togethers interesting. Oh, family get-togethers…

Cynthia dreamed about being part of a big, loving family. She hated not having any siblings. In theory, she was part of a family. Reality, however, was another thing.

“Why haven’t I heard about Cade Armstrong?” she asked.

“Cade Armstrong Waters,” Henry corrected. “He keeps a low profile. Avoids the press. Some call him the black sheep of the family, but you won’t meet a more perfect man.”

“I thought you were the only perfect man?”

“If only.” Henry laughed and waved to a mutual friend. “Cade’s sister got married on Valentine’s Day. You may have heard of her. Kelsey Armstrong Waters Addison.”

“Addison? As in Addison Resorts and…” Cynthia grabbed Henry’s shoulder. “She’s the wedding consultant to the stars.”

His eyes gleamed with amusement. “Could come in handy if something developed between you and her brother?”

If something developed… The Armstrongs probably had a big Christmas gathering with a huge tree covered with lights and ornaments and a formal sit-down dinner with all the family in attendance. She could almost smell the scents of pine, vanilla and cinnamon. Almost hear the sounds of conversations, laughter and singing. A warm glow flowed through her. With Cade and the Armstrongs, she would never have to spend Christmas alone while her parents took yet another “second” honeymoon.

Cynthia’s heart pounded. She wanted to surround herself with love, cocoon herself in a family. The Armstrongs were a ready-made one with lots of aunts and uncles and nieces and nephews and cousins. They were also rich. She would never have to worry about being poor again. This was everything she’d ever wanted and it sounded too good to be true. “Does Cade have any ex-wives, clinging ex-girlfriends or children I should know about?”

“None of the above.”

Excited, she glanced around. “So where is Cade?”

“Over by the waterfall.”

A buff blonde, wearing only a Speedo, stood next to the cascading water. His wide, overdeveloped shoulders would look silly in a suit or tuxedo, but that didn’t seem to bother the bevy of beauties hanging on his every word. Cynthia gulped.

Immediately, she felt guilty. She knew better than to judge a man by his appearance. That’s all anyone had ever done with her. Still… “The blonde?”

“I’m not sure who that is.” Henry led her to the other side of the waterfall. A man with wet, dark hair slicked back from his high forehead stood alone. A pineapple cup hid his face. “That’s Cade Armstrong Waters.”

He was tall. Over six feet. He wore a white T-shirt and green-and-blue plaid swim trunks. He didn’t have the other man’s muscles, but Cade looked solid and strong.

He lowered the pineapple, and Cynthia breathed a sigh of relief. Cade was good-looking in a geekish sort of way. His small wire-rimmed glasses made him look smart, like a professor. Or a husband. And a father.

He was not a man she would lose herself in. Thank goodness. Cynthia wanted to be a better parent than either of hers had been. Her children would always know they were loved.

On second glance she realized he really wasn’t a geek at all. His hair was too long to call him clean-cut and the angles of his face made him look rugged, more than a little dangerous. She swallowed. Hard.

“Like what you see?” Henry asked.

All she could do was nod. That scared her a little. Cynthia remembered Cade came with all those other Armstrongs, and she didn’t feel as bad.

Henry laughed. “Better than Travis?”

“Maybe.” She forced the word from her dry mouth and adjusted the hibiscus in her hair. “Let’s go. I’m ready for Cade to fall in love with me.”

Cade Waters stirred his drink with the multi colored paper umbrella. He was getting another headache and wanted to call it a night. Nothing about this party interested him. Not the gourmet food, the open bar or the women. Okay, he didn’t mind the sarongs or the bikinis, but these women usually wore a lot more clothing and coordinating accessories. Not to mention a pound or two of makeup so they could look “natural.”

This wasn’t his scene. It had been once, a long time ago, but never again. He was a different person now. Money—Armstrong money—had not only destroyed his parents’ marriage, but had also ruined Cade’s chance for happiness.

Yet here he was.

Cade glanced at the pool on the other side of the waterfall. He’d already swum more laps than he could count which explained why he was so thirsty and hungry, but he preferred being in the water to air-kissing and socializing with people he didn’t like, much less respect.

For years, he’d declined Henry’s party invitations, much to the dismay of his cousins who loved partying with the generous billionaire. Cade had struggled to move beyond being just another one of the Armstrong cousins. People expected Armstrongs to succeed, and Cade would. He would succeed on his own terms without the help of the Armstrong name or money.

Unfortunately this year he wasn’t in a position to say no to Henry Davenport. Call it blackmail, call it desperation. Henry had waved a sizeable donation to Cade’s Smiling Moon Foundation with one stipulation—Cade had to attend the birthday party. If he came, did not solicit any of the other guests for donations and stayed until the end of the festivities, Henry would give him a check for one hundred thousand dollars.

Cade had had no choice but to attend. His foundation needed the money. Running a nonprofit agency was more difficult and more expensive than he had imagined. He’d been struggling to make ends meet and if he wasn’t careful Smiling Moon might become Frowning Moon and bankrupt if he didn’t get a couple of big donors like Henry Davenport.

His parents wanted him to walk away from the foundation and start over with a new venture. Or better yet, return to law. But Cade couldn’t. He wouldn’t do what his many times divorced parents did when things got tough—leave. He wasn’t like that. He wasn’t like them. Whether they knew or cared, the kids helped by Smiling Moon would have one adult who didn’t abandon them. He would stick it out until the end. And if he had any say in the matter, there wouldn’t be an end.

Cade was willing to do anything to keep the foundation going and make it a success even if that meant spending a weekend with a bunch of social climbing, money-burning, socially irresponsible partygoers, a few of whom he was related to on his mother’s side. He would overlook Henry’s obscene display of wealth. Cade almost passed on taking one of the expensively filled goodie bags each guest received until he realized he could auction it off at his summer fundraising dinner. Provided they survived until the summer. But the designer backpack containing a handheld GPS locator, Swiss Army knife, a dive watch and oyster shells containing pearl earrings or cufflinks depending on a guest’s gender would bring a good price.

Henry approached with a wide grin. “Having fun?”

Cade chose his words carefully. Henry had enough money to make a real difference to the foundation. And if the billionaire birthday boy decided to become a full-fledged patron… Cade smiled at the thought, his first smile in the past forty-eight hours. Or was that forty-eight days? “It’s been…interesting.”

“Happy to hear it.” Henry motioned to an attractive blonde. “There’s someone I want you to meet.”

Not another one of Henry’s women. Cade sipped his rum and coconut concoction and grimaced at the sweet aftertaste. Give him a shot of whiskey or a beer. Can or bottle. Not a froufrou umbrella drink served in a hollowed out pineapple.

“This is Cynthia Sterling, a close friend of mine. Cynthia this is Cade Arm—”

“Cade Waters.” He glanced over his pineapple at Henry’s latest “friend.” Cade knew what to expect and he wasn’t disappointed. Perfectly cut, dyed and styled blond hair fell past her bare shoulders in gentle waves. Flawless ivory skin, made so by the skilled hand applying her makeup and/or the numerous spa treatments—wraps, peels, facials—she no doubt received regularly, glowed beneath the ballroom lighting. Generous, full lips painted red and able to pout on cue. A deep maroon sarong gave a tantalizing glimpse of the curves underneath and begged to be removed. Cade summed her up in three words—a total nightmare. “Nice to meet you.”

She extended her arm and batted her eyes. The hazel-green color with gold flecks looked natural, but could be a high-tech pair of contact lenses. “The pleasure’s all mine.”

The words flowed from her collagen-injected lips like honey. Warm, slow, seductive. Cade managed not to laugh. He’d known too many women like Cynthia Sterling. Trophy-wife wannabes. Gold diggers. Nothing beneath the perfect outer package. His cousins had married and divorced women like her. Hell, some of his Armstrong cousins were this type of woman.

But Cynthia Sterling was as far from Cade’s type as they came. He knew what he wanted in a woman. Exactly what he wanted. Exactly who he wanted.

Maggie.

But she’ll never be yours, a little voice mocked him. You screwed up. Cade took another sip of his drink.

“I’ll leave you two to get acquainted,” Henry said.

Before Cade could say a word, like no, Henry disappeared into the crowded ballroom. Just when Cade thought the party couldn’t get any worse…

“So,” Cynthia said. “Have you known Henry long?”

Maybe if Cade didn’t answer she would go away. He didn’t want to be rude, but he wanted to be left alone. Thinking about his ex-fiancée always put him in a rotten mood. He pressed his lips together.

“Henry and I go way back.”

A day? A week? Knowing Henry she met him last night. “How long have you been dating?”

“What? Us?” Her laugh, deeper and richer than he expected, surprised him. At least she didn’t have an annoying high-pitched squeal. Though that would be the perfect finishing touch for her. Cynthia tilted her chin. “We’re just friends. I know better than to date Henry Davenport.”

So she was smarter than she looked. Cade had to give her points for that. He stirred what remained of his drink with the umbrella-on-a-tropical-fruit-skewered-stick.

“What about you?” she asked.

“I know better than to date Henry, too.”

The smile disappeared from her face and her eyes clouded. “You’re gay? I’m going to kill Henry.” Before Cade could speak, she continued on. “That’s okay. I mean it’s great you’re gay. All the good ones seem to be,” she muttered. “One of life’s ironies. I’m sure you have to beat the men off with a stick or a larger umbrella.”

He lowered his pineapple glass. Of course she had no sense of humor. What had he expected? “I’m not gay.”

She furrowed her perfectly arched brows. “But you said—”

“I was making a joke.”