A Christmas Bride

New York Times
bestselling author Susan Mallery brings you home for the holidays with these two classic romances that will warm your heart...

Only Us

Pet groomer Carina Fiore wants nothing more than to confess her feelings to the man she loves. She’s drawn to veterinarian Cameron McKenzie’s good looks, caring nature and especially his devotion to his young daughter. There’s just one problem—he’s her boss. Putting her heart on the line could cost Rina both her job and their friendship forever. But when a kiss under the mistletoe unlocks the simmering passion between them, Rina and Cameron may just find love for the holidays after all....

The Sheik and the Christmas Bride

When Prince As’ad of El Deharia agrees to adopt three orphaned American girls, he does so on one condition—that their beautiful teacher, Kayleen James, become their nanny. His plan is to leave her to deal with the children as he continues his life, undisturbed. But all that changes when Kayleen and the girls invade the palace—and As’ad’s heart—and change it for the better.

Praise for New York Times bestselling author

Susan Mallery

“If you want a story that will both tug on
your heartstrings and tickle your funny bone, Mallery is the author for you!”
—
RT Book Reviews
on
Only His

“When it comes to heartfelt contemporary romance, Mallery is in a class by herself.”
—
RT Book Reviews
on
Only Yours

“An adorable, outspoken heroine and an intense hero...set the sparks flying in Mallery’s latest lively, comic and touching family-centered story.”
—
Library Journal
on
Only Yours

“Mallery...excels at creating varied, well-developed characters and an emotion-packed story
gently infused with her trademark wit and humor.
One of the Top 10 Romances of 2011!”
—
Booklist
on
Only Mine

“Mallery’s prose is luscious and provocative.”
—
Publishers Weekly

“Susan Mallery’s gift for writing humor and tenderness make all her books true gems.”
—
RT Book Reviews

“Romance novels don’t get much better than Mallery’s expert blend of emotional nuance,
humor and superb storytelling.”
—
Booklist

Also available from Susan Mallery
and Harlequin HQN

A Fool’s Gold Christmas
All Summer Long
Summer Nights
Summer Days
Only His
Only Yours
Only Mine
Finding Perfect
Almost Perfect
Chasing Perfect
Hot on Her Heels
Straight from the Hip
Lip Service
Under Her Skin
Sweet Trouble
Sweet Spot
Sweet Talk
Accidentally Yours
Tempting
Sizzling
Irresistible
Delicious
Falling for Gracie
Someone Like You

Watch for the next Fool’s Gold book, coming soon!

Just One Kiss

Susan Mallery

A Christmas Bride

Only Us:
A Fool’s Gold Holiday

Contents

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER ONE

“POLISH OR NO polish?” Carina Fiore held up two bottles of pet-friendly OPI nail polish. “I think the traditional choices would be best. Fire-Hydrant Red or Bow-Wow Green.”

Eight-year-old Kaitlyn McKenzie laughed. “Rina, she’s a cat.”

“You’re saying cats aren’t into fashion? I’m not sure I agree. Just last week I caught this one flipping through
In Style
magazine.” Rina studied the petite calico sitting on her grooming table. The calico stared back, her expression slightly defiant, as if daring Rina to try polish.

Rina held in a grin. Her plan was to put festive collars on the cats but she loved making Kaitlyn laugh.

The girl chuckled. “Cats can’t read.”

“You don’t actually know that.”

“Dad says they can’t.”

“Oh, well. Sure. Take the word of a veterinarian over me.” Rina gave a heavy sigh.

Kaitlyn stepped around the grooming table and hugged Carina tightly. “We’ll do all the dogs’ nails. I promise. I’ll even help. We want them to look their best.”

“Me too.”

As much as Rina hated to admit it, cute pets got adopted faster. And as the person in charge of the Fool’s Gold Holiday Pet Adoption, she intended to make sure every single animal looking for a home put his or her best foot forward. Or paw or claw or fin. Not that she would be doing anything to groom the fish. Although she was putting little fish-friendly Christmas trees in the tanks.

Her normally tidy grooming space was currently overflowing with cat collars and doggie bandanas in holiday prints. Over the next two weeks, she would be bathing, brushing and clipping until all the pets up for adoption gleamed.

She glanced at the clock on the wall. “We’d better get you home, munchkin.”

Kaitlyn looked up at her, her green eyes as dark and beautiful as her father’s. “It’s Friday.”

“I heard that this morning on the news.”

The girl’s mouth turned up at the corner. “You know what that means.”

“That tomorrow’s Saturday?”

“Spaghetti.”

“Oh, right. I was thinking of something different for dinner.”

“Rina!”

“Maybe liver.”

Kaitlyn made a gagging sound.

“Brains?”

Kaitlyn clutched her stomach. “I’m going to throw up.”

“Swamp soup?”

Giggling, Kaitlyn ran out of the room.

Rina picked up the cat and stroked her. “What do you think about swamp soup?”

The cat purred.

Fifteen minutes later Rina had finished cleaning off her table and washing her brushes. She collected her backpack and walked toward the break room. One of the veterinary assistants stopped her.

“You have to say something,” Jesse told her.

“No.”

“Soon.”

“Did I just say no? I’m sure I heard myself say no.”

Jesse, a pretty blonde whom Rina had known since they were both zygotes, raised her eyebrows.

Rina glanced around to make sure they were alone. Even so, she lowered her voice. “I can’t.”

“You have to. It’s been a year, Rina. This is insane. It’s the holidays.”

“I’m not sure what the time of year has to do with anything.”

Jesse sighed. “It’s when you want to be with the people you love. You love Cameron. Tell him.”

Rina winced. “Don’t say that,” she whispered as forcefully as she could. “Not here. Someone might hear you.”

“It’s Friday afternoon. Everyone is gone but us. Cameron’s out at the Castle Ranch, checking on one of the goats there.” Her friend moved closer and, Carina noticed thankfully, lowered her voice. “You’re my best friend and I totally support whatever you decide, but I also know it’s time to tell you that you’re acting like an idiot.”

“You’ve told me that every day for six months. It’s hardly a news flash.”

“Then
do
something. If not now, when? Are you going to waste another year being in love with a man who has no idea how you feel?”

Rina opened her mouth, then closed it. She wanted nothing more than to confess her feelings to the man she loved.

She could still remember the first time she’d seen Cameron McKenzie, DVM. He’d bought the practice from the retiring veterinarian with a promise that all the staff would stay. That included her, the practice’s resident groomer. He’d requested everyone meet with him on a Saturday afternoon. She’d walked into the building, not sure what to expect. He’d turned, smiled, and she’d been lost.

Seriously, there’d practically been a swell of music and cartoon animals putting ribbons and flowers in her hair.

She wasn’t sure what it was about Cameron that got to her. The wavy dark hair and deep green eyes were only the beginnings of his good looks. Still, her feelings weren’t all about how handsome he was. It was the way he cared about his work and how he treated his staff. But if she had to guess, she would say her fate had truly been sealed the moment she’d met Kaitlyn.

She adored the little girl and they had become instant friends. Kaitlyn was smart and funny and just as caring as her dad. The only part of their family that didn’t make sense was the absence of a mother. Cameron didn’t say much about his ex, so all of Rina’s information had come from his daughter. Kaitlyn was fairly matter-of-fact about her past, stating her mommy had left shortly after Kaitlyn had been born. Rina could still remember her steady gaze as she’d said, “Babies are a lot of work and my mommy wasn’t ready.”

Cameron had shared few details, but those he mentioned were in line with what Kaitlyn had said; his wife had walked away from her newborn and husband and had never returned.

Since then, from what she could tell, he’d devoted himself to being a single father and working hard at his practice. He never dated, hadn’t once been caught flirting and showed no interest in one woman over another. In a town with a man shortage, he was practically an irresistible force.

Rina had told herself she would get over her crush, that it was just that Cameron was new and shiny. But as time had passed, her feelings had only grown. Now everything was more complicated because of the fact that she took care of Kaitlyn.

Every school day, Rina arrived at the McKenzie household early, made sure Kaitlyn was up and dressed, then fixed her breakfast and walked her to the bus. After school the girl rode the bus to the veterinary practice where she hung out with Rina until it was time to go home.

Back at the McKenzie house, Rina helped her with her homework and started dinner. In the past few months, she’d begun staying to eat with them. Unfortunately, she couldn’t remember exactly how that had started. She wanted to say that Cameron had asked, but she suspected the invitation had come from his daughter.

Cameron paid her as a groomer and as the person taking care of his daughter. And, even though he was friendly and considerate, she couldn’t be completely sure he’d ever thought of her as more than a friend. Which meant admitting her feelings put a lot on the line. What if he wasn’t interested? What if telling the truth meant losing her friendship with Kaitlyn
and
her job?

“I’d rather have what I have now than not have anything at all,” Rina admitted to her friend.

Jesse shook her head. “You’re living half a life, Rina, and that’s not you. Your parents were crazy about each other until the day they died. Your grandparents are still in love. Don’t you want what they have?”

“I’m scared.”

“Love is supposed to be scary. If it was easy, everyone would do it.”

Rina knew she was right. The thought of having it all, of being able to admit her feelings to Cameron and having him feel the same way, made her ache with longing. She’d known he was the one from the first second they’d met and her feelings had never wavered. But...

“What if he doesn’t love me back?”

“Then you hurt and heal and find someone else.”

“I don’t want anyone else.”

“So you’d rather have half of nothing than take the chance? That’s not like you.”

“I wouldn’t just be losing him. I’d lose Kaitlyn, too.”

“You wouldn’t have to. You could still be friends with her.”

Rina was less sure that was possible. Losing one would be hard enough, but losing them both would be more than she could handle.

CHAPTER TWO

“TINSEL AND GOATS don’t mix,” Cameron said, looping his stethoscope around his neck. “Not that she’ll listen.”

Heidi Simpson nodded as she knelt next to her goat. “I swear, Athena has supernatural powers. She’s forever getting out of her pen and doing things she shouldn’t. I’ve been so careful with the holiday decorations.”

Cameron believed her. Unfortunately a single box of tinsel had fallen out of her shopping bag and Athena had found it. Like most goats, she was willing to eat nearly everything. The tinsel had tangled in her digestive system, but had finally worked its way through.

“She’ll be fine now,” he said. “Give her a couple of days for her stomach to calm down.” He patted the goat resting in the small goat barn, then rose to his feet.