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Автор Hannay Barbara
“We start with the bride. ”
The dean nodded at Tessa, and she hoped her answering smile looked better than it felt.
“You stand in front of me, dear. ” He looked up at Isaac expectantly. “Could you stand in as groom for now?”
“Oh, no!” cried Tessa. And everybody looked at her curiously. This twist of fate was just too cruel. Silently she pleaded to Isaac. I can’t bear this. Please refuse. It’s not necessary.
Isaac’s eyes bored into her, full of black heat. “Yes, of course I’ll help out. ”
“You won’t find yourself married to the wrong person,” the dean said with a chuckle.
“Although—” and Tessa wondered why he chose to look straight at her as he spoke “—I’m afraid there are many couples who discover too late that they’ve made the wrong choice. ”
Barbara Hannay was born in Sydney, Australia, educated in Brisbane and has spent most of her adult life living in tropical north Queensland, where she and her husband have raised four children. While she has enjoyed many happy times camping and canoeing in the bush, she also delights in an urban lifestyle—chamber music, contemporary dance, movies and dining out.
An English teacher, she has always loved writing and now, by having her stories published, she is living her most cherished fantasy.Books by Barbara Hannay
HARLEQUIN ROMANCE®
3578—OUTBACK WIFE AND MOTHER
The Wedding Countdown
Barbara Hannay
CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
FOUR days to go…
‘It’s the most beautiful wedding dress ever!’
Tessa twirled in front of the long, oval mirror, her blue eyes shining as she watched her reflection. She turned and looked over her shoulder to examine the rear view of her elegant, low-backed gown. The exquisite detailing of the silk brocade bodice and the train of fine chiffon, drifting away from clusters of the palest of pale pink roses at her waist, combined to create a gown that was as pretty as a fairy tale.
‘It’s just perfect, darling,’ Rosalind Morrow agreed, her gaze misty as she observed her daughter’s happiness.
Flashing her mother an excited smile, Tessa paraded across the room, delighting in the luxurious rustle and whisper of expensive silk as she moved. ‘It’s going to be a dream wedding,’ she sighed happily.
‘Yes,’ replied Rosalind, but her echoing sigh didn’t sound quite so cheerful.
Tessa looked at her mother sharply. Rosalind’s expression had grown cautious, and she twisted her hands nervously.
‘Is something wrong, Mum?’ Tessa asked.
‘Of course not, darling, all the wedding plans are running like clockwork. ’ But then, in contradiction to her reassuring reply, Rosalind turned away. ‘There’s absolutely nothing wrong,’ she went on with a shaky little laugh, ‘but there is one tiny titbit of news. ’
