A Perfect Bride For Christmas Read Online Free Page B

mother-in-law for all of thirty-six hours before her marriage to Alex had been annulled. Did she know about that awful time in Vegas?
    “It’s Zoe Bennett now. I moved to St. Louis after I left the law firm. That’s where I met my husband.”
    Amelia gave her a sweet smile, but her blue eyes were sharp and probing. Probably where Alex got his killer style in the courtroom.
    “Oh, yes. I’d heard you remarried.” She gave Zoe a direct look. “This is very akward. I mean with everything that happened with Alex. Will working for me be a problem?” Amelia shook her head. “What am I saying? Of course it’s out of the question.”
    “What would be out of the question?”
    “I’m hosting a wedding reception at my home
    this Christmas Eve.” Amelia shook her head. “I’m not sure this is a good idea.”
    “There’s no hard feelings, no unresolved issues.”
    21
    Dyann Love Barr

    Zoe kept an even expression on her face. “It’s a catering job, Mrs. King. Which one of the boys is getting married, or is it for you and Frank? Renewed vows?”
    Amelia’s pretty face turned gray. “Oh no, Frank passed away in July. I’m on my own now.” She gave Zoe a sad, sweet smile. “I’m dealing with it day by day, but this is important to Alex—the whole family.
    Everyone will be there. I didn’t ask them to come for Thanksgiving, I didn’t feel ready, but I’m not
    accepting excuses for Christmas. We need to start celebrating life again.”
    “Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.” Zoe wondered if the shoe she had firmly wedged in her mouth
    accounted for the bad taste on her tongue. Blunders like this didn’t garner new customers, and Amelia King could lead a lot of business her way.
    “Don’t worry.” Amelia might have an old fashion name, but her casual elegance said otherwise. She wore her white hair in a modern, short cut. Her black slacks, tan fitted sweater, and red blazer made her look a good ten to fifteen years younger than her sixty years. “Alex is the one getting married again.”
    “Oh.” All the old memories, good and bad,
    rushed back in mental collage that must have left her frown on her face.
    “Are you sure you’re okay working on the
    reception?”
    “Oh.” Zoe blinked back her surprise. “No.” She
    shook her head. “It won’t be a problem, Mrs. King.”
    “Wonderful.” Amelia’s shoulders relaxed with
    relief. “Maggie Callen said you were brilliant.
    Everyone raved about the appetizers at her function last week. I would understand if you felt
    uncomfortable.”
    “Business is business, Mrs. King.”
    “Now, Zoe, we’ve known each other way too long
    for that. It’s Amelia.” She gathered her purse and 22
    A Perfect Bride for Christmas

    got to her feet. “This has been so nice seeing you again. I hope you didn’t think I was being rude when I didn’t recognize you.” Amelia smiled and pointed.
    “The eyes finally gave you away though. No one has those, what did Alex call them—kaleidoscope eyes.
    An unexpected thrill shot through Zoe. She’d
    gotten over Alex a long time ago, but it felt good to know he’d noticed something good about her. “All right.” Zoe held out her hand to say goodbye. “I will get back with you on the menu, once you have the numbers nailed down.”
    “Thank you again.”
    Amelia turned to leave the shop, when three
    tornados by the names of Michaela, Mia, and Macy blew through the door. They raced as one and ended up with a tangle of small arms wrapping around
    Zoe’s legs.
    “Mommy,” they yelled up at her in unison.
    “We saw horses,” Michaela said, her long black
    hair bedraggled and out of the ponytail Zoe had put it in earlier.
    Mia, still neat as a pin, piped up, “And turkeys, and a lot of apples.”
    “They let us drink cider and eat donuts.” Macy
    frowned. Her blue eyes flickered with thought. “They weren’t as good as yours.”
    “You ate three.” Michaela unwound her scarf.
    “You’ll get fat if you eat like