Cinderella Bride

By Christine Scott

VALENTINE BRIDES

THE BRIDE OF HIS DREAMS VANISHED AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT

Millionaire bachelor Ryan Kendrick had every woman in town chasing him. But the playboy prince had eyes only for the mysterious woman he'd danced with at the ball. Though he didn't know her name, Ryan was determined to make her his bride.

Cynthia Gilbert had to pinch herself when her handsome stranger tracked her down and proposed! Then she learned Ryan had to marry to meet a deadline. And though Cynthia was tempted, she wouldn't settle for less than a fairy–tale marriage!

VALENTINE BRIDES: When Cupid strikes, marriage is sure to follow!

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Australia
• Release date: Jul 1, 2012
• ISBN: 9781460880999

Christine Scott

Christine Scott is a native of Pennsylvania, and attended college at New Mexico Highlands University. She lived most of her adult life in Maryland and Virginia and retired from the Headquarters Office of the Navy Federal Credit Union. Guided by her previous background as a Newspaper Editor, Columnist, Instructor, Inspirational Writer, and speaker, she freely shares her life story. In Vignettes of Small Glories ,she takes the reader on a roller coaster ride of laughter, tears, love and faith. In troubled times, she found that joy was an exceptional event and hope became a priority. Within her life struggles, she clearly believes that it was God who brought the small glories to her rescue, and often provided a mystical sense of victory. Her stories are a gift from a writer who has lived them, dreamed them, and has a mission to share them with your heart and soul.

Book preview

image2

Dear Reader,

My favorite valentine memory is somewhat bittersweet. Fifteen years ago, a few days before Valentine’s Day, my brother died. Needless to say, the shock of the loss left me feeling numb inside. A few days later a bouquet of flowers was delivered to my house. A present meant to console me, I thought When the numbness eased and the blooms began to fade, I found an unopened card with the flowers. A valentine from my husband. It simply read, I will love you always, Larry. Not once had my husband mentioned his forgotten valentine.

Over the years the pain of my loss has subsided to a dull ache, but the love I share with my special valentine has remained constant. I hope each of you have been lucky enough to know the healing powers of love.

image3

Chapter One

New Year’s Day

The quiet in R.J. Kendrick’s office was palpable. The air sizzled with unresolved tension. Ryan leaned forward in his chair and shattered the silence. Let me get this straight. My father has left me everything—

That’s right, Mr. Kendrick, the estate lawyer said, pushing his tortoiseshell glasses higher on the bridge of his nose. The house in Pacific Heights, the beachfront estate in Palm Beach, the Fifth Avenue apartment in New York—

Ryan slammed a fist onto the top of the mahogany desk, effectively stopping the man’s recitation. I don’t care about all of that. What I care about is the company. I want you to tell me that Kendrick Toys is mine.

Well, yes…on the condition—

On the condition that I marry within a year of my father’s death, Ryan finished for him, an edge of steel to his deceptively cool tone.

The lawyer swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down in his thin throat. Well, um, in a nutshell, that’s correct.

Once again, an uncomfortable silence descended upon the room.

In his father’s office, at his father’s desk, Ryan sat back in the red leather chair and stared across the room at the portrait of the man in question, the late R.J. Kendrick. Smiling wide, with a cunning twinkle of amusement in his eye, his father appeared to be laughing at Ryan’s expense.

For as long as he could remember, Ryan and his father were always clashing over one thing or another. In his growing years, it had been about girls, fast cars and grades. In his adult years, it had been women, fast cars and work.

Against his better judgment, after completing college Ryan had decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and take an active part in the family business. When it seemed as though they had nothing else in common, they always knew they shared one thing. They both loved and lived for Kendrick Toys.

And now, thanks to his father’s bizarre sense of humor, he was in danger of losing the most important thing in his life.

Ryan’s grip tightened around the arms of the chair until his knuckles turned white from the exertion. He didn’t know why he should be surprised. Even in death, his father was still trying to control his life.

The Tyrant of Toyland, reputed to be the meanest man in the toy business, his father had run Kendrick Toys like a monarchy. No one ever questioned his leadership abilities. Through hard work and stubborn determination, he’d turned a small toy manufacturing company into a multimillion-dollar corporation.

One had to admire R.J. Kendrick’s business success. But that hadn’t made it any easier to like the man.

Much less love him.

Break it, Ryan said, his voice whisper soft.

Excuse me, sir? the lawyer asked.

Slowly, Ryan forced his attention away from the portrait of his father and returned the other man’s gaze. I said, break it.

You mean…the will?

Of course, the will. Ryan stood, his chair spinning out behind him. What the hell else would I be talking about?

The lawyer followed suit, stumbling to his feet. Legal documents drifted to the floor at his unexpected action. I’m not sure how—that is, it won’t be easy, Mr. Kendrick. Your father was of sound mind when he made out his will.

You call adding a marriage clause to the terms of an inheritance a sane thing to do? Ryan shouted, holding a loose rein on his volatile temper.

Well, no…I mean, yes. The lawyer shook his head, looking confused. I don’t know what to think.

I’m not paying you to think. I’m paying you to do as I say. I want you to find a loophole. There’s got to be some way out of this crazy will.

It’ll take some time.

Time is one thing I don’t have, Ryan reminded him. His bitter gaze sought and found the portrait on the wall. Thanks to dear old Dad, I’ve got one year to resolve this catastrophe.

After a moment’s hesitation, the lawyer said, There is an easy solution to this…this problem. You, um, could get married.

The suggestion was met with deafening silence.

After a long moment, Ryan said, Let me make this perfectly clear. I have no intention of getting married just because my father’s will says I must. In fact, his ultimatum makes me all the more determined to stay among the ranks of the married-free. No one is going to tell me how to live my life. He narrowed his gaze. Am I making myself understood?

Yes, sir. Perfectly, sir.

Good, Ryan growled. Then I suggest you get to work on this problem—now.

The lawyer took this as his cue to leave. More documents slipped to the floor as he picked up his briefcase. The more he tried to compensate for his clumsiness, the more papers began to slide.

Ryan watched the man with growing impatience. Earlier the shock of his father’s unexpected death had left him feeling cold and numb inside. Now, thanks to the latest turn of events, a hot anger had thawed the icy chill. He needed time alone to come to grips with the turbulent emotions brewing inside of him before he exploded.

Papers recovered, with a tumbling of locks, the lawyer closed his briefcase and headed for the door. I’ll be in touch, Mr. Kendrick.

Ryan remained silent, not trusting himself to speak.

The heavy wooden door closed with a muffled click. Ryan sank back into his chair, feeling drained of his last bit of strength. Finally alone, he allowed the pent-up tide of bitterness and anger to wash over him.

How many times had he and his father argued about his marital status in the past year? Ryan shook his head. Too many times to count. He could almost hear his father bellowing. You’re not getting any younger, boy. Thirty-four years old and no wife. I need an heir, a grandchild to carry on the family business. And like it or not, you’re the only one who can produce my successor. So you’d better tame that roaming eye of yours, sonny, and marry soon.

The funny thing was, before his father had started harping on the subject, Ryan had begun to mull over the possibility of changing his life-style. He’d grown tired of dating women who were more interested in his bank account than in himself. The thought of settling down with one special woman had seemed more appealing every day.

Then his father decided to horn in and take control of the situation…

Ryan released a growl of frustration. Knowing his father, he would have made certain to draw up an ironclad will. A will that even a team of lawyers couldn’t crack.

He and his father hadn’t always seen eye to eye, but he’d never have believed he could have stooped this low in order to get his own way.

Didn’t his father care about him at all?

Unwanted pain contracted his heart, making it hard to breathe. He was going to lose the one thing he loved most, Kendrick Toys.

And there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it.

Ryan shivered as an inner chill enveloped him. He’d never felt so alone before in his life.

Ten months later

It felt so good to be alone.

Cynthia Gilbert gazed out of her third-story bedroom window at the starlit sky, savoring the quiet of the night. Downstairs, beneath her feet, the house vibrated with the active voices of her family. Yet she felt no desire to join them. Solitude was a scarce commodity in this household. One a person didn’t waste. She’d finally found her moment of peace.

And it felt like heaven.

My God, it’s dark in here.

The overhead light snapped on, temporarily blinding her with its brightness. She moaned out loud, not bothering to hide her annoyance. Her moment of peace and quiet was over. Her sister, Briana, had arrived.

Cynthia, what are you doing standing in the dark? You’re going to be late for the Toy land Ball. Bri cast a disparaging glance her way. Is that what you’re wearing?

Cynthia was a woman who believed in playing it safe, in life as well as in how she dressed. She raised a self-conscious hand to her hair. Her blond curls were secured in their usual neat knot at the back of her head. And she’d been careful to use a light hand in applying her makeup. Glancing down at the simple white dress with its matching jacket, she frowned. What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?

Nothing…just that it’s so plain. It looks like something you’d wear to work. A business suit, only white. Bri’s tone became admonishing. I don’t know why you insist on dressing so conservatively. You need to spice up your wardrobe and your life a little. Be more daring.

Cynthia reached into her pocket for her glasses and anchored them onto the bridge of her nose. My wardrobe and my life are just fine, thank you.

Bri wasn’t one to give up a fight so easily. If your life’s so fine, then why are you going to the Toyland Ball alone? And take off. those glasses, would ya? They’re reading glasses, for Pete’s sake!

Cynthia gritted her teeth. I wouldn’t be going to the Toyland Ball at all if it wasn’t for my job. You know as well as I do, the ball is a fund-raiser for the upcoming holiday season. All the profits go toward the purchase of toys for needy children. Kendrick Toys is sponsoring the event. As a Kendrick employee, I’m expected to attend.

I should have known you weren’t going merely to socialize. You’re not really a fancy, dress-up type of person, are you? Bri plopped down onto her bed. You’re too sensible, too practical…too helpful.

If she was sensible and practical, then her sister was predictable. Bri’s compliments always came with a catch. Cynthia narrowed her gaze. What do you want, Bri?

A defensive look crossed her sister’s face. What makes you think I want something?

I know you. Whenever you start buttering me up with compliments, something’s wrong. What is it, Bri?

Bri bit her quivering lower lip and hesitated for the briefest moment. Then she blurted out, I’m pregnant.

Pregnant? Cynthia sat down heavily on the bed next to her sister, struggling to find the right words. Gee, Bri. That’s great.

Bri’s look was one of incredulity. Great? Cynthia, it isn’t great. It’s terrible.

The news was a shock. But Cynthia would never believe having a baby was anything less than wonderful. Bri, it isn’t that you’re alone in this. You have a husband who loves you and two beautiful children who will love to have a new brother or sister. I know the timing is bad-

Bad? Bri interrupted. This couldn’t have happened at a worse time.

Cynthia understood her sister’s concern. Her brother-inlaw was out of work. Her sister’s family was living with her and her mother. They were struggling to keep their growing family afloat. Now wasn’t the ideal time to be adding another mouth to feed.

Bri’s eyes filled with tears. It was an accident, Cynthia. Believe me, neither of us meant for it to happen.

Cynthia put an arm around her sister’s shoulder and was once again struck by the fragileness of her bone structure. Despite being the youngest of the two, she always felt a need to protect her older sister. I believe you, Bri. How’s John handling the news?

Not good, Bri admitted. Which is why I’ve come to talk to you. Cynthia, he wants to move out. He thinks, with a baby on the way, we’re going to be too much of a burden for you and Ma.

It was on the tip of her tongue to agree with John, but she resisted the urge. Bri was on the edge of a hormonal crying jag. It wouldn’t take much to set off a flow of tears.

Bri, I’m not sure what it is you want me to do. How can I help?

A tear trickled down her sister’s cheek. Talk to him. Tell him you and Ma don’t want us to leave. Until John’s grant is restored, we really can’t afford to live anywhere else.

John was an entomologist, a highly trained specialist in the study of bugs. Up until a few months ago, he had a well-paying job with a local university, where he’d been working to find an environmentally safe alternative to pesticides in controlling the bug population. But the grant under which he’d been working had been pulled, leaving the university with no choice but to lay him off. Everyone hoped the layoff was temporary.

In order to cut costs, John and Bri had given up their apartment and moved in with Cynthia and her mother. A situation no one found desirable, but admittedly, it was a necessity.

Cynthia sighed. I’ll talk to him.

Tonight?

Bri, I can’t tonight. I have this party to go to—

After the party. John’s working the late shift at Burger World. He’ll be home by midnight.

Irritation grated against Cynthia’s nerves. Was she so predictable, so boring a person, that her sister would assume she’d be home before midnight? She set her chin in a stubborn line. Wouldn’t her sister be shocked if she met a man at the ball tonight and didn’t come home at all?

Slowly her irritation gave way to dismal acceptance. Not only would her sister be shocked, but Cynthia herself would be stunned. Her sister was right. She was boring. She was predictable. Her life had become dull, a matter of routine.

She needed a jolt of excitement in her life. Something new. Something earthshaking.

Cynthia frowned. Maybe earthshaking, in a city like San Francisco, where earthquakes happened much too frequently, was too strong a term. She just wanted something different to happen to pull her life out of the doldrums it seemed to be in.

I’ll talk to John as soon as I can, Cynthia said, forcing a smile. Don’t worry, Bri, everything’s going to be fine.

Bri gave her head a miserable shake. I’m not sure…

Look, Bri, she said softly. "Our family’s just going through a rough patch. Things are going to be looking up soon. I can feel it in my bones. A whole new year is around the corner. And