by Frankie Love
I did some digging, recalling every tidbit my mother had mentioned about the service, and I eventually found it. I crafted a message to the owner and hit send. Pleased with myself, I leaned back in my chair and put my feet up on the desk, crossing my ankles.
It was the perfect plan.
Chapter Two
Winter
Staring at the quaint office building sandwiched between skyscrapers, I rubbed my hands together in excitement. My closest childhood friend thought I was being reckless, but I was looking forward to the adventure ahead of me as a mail-order bride. Whitney blamed all the romance novels I liked to read for my impulsive decision when I saw the advertisement online, and she might’ve had a teensy tiny point. As a hopeless romantic, my gut told me that I had been meant to see the ad that day. When my application was accepted, I felt as though it was proof that my instinct had been right.
I’d been running around like a chicken with its head chopped off for the past two weeks, trying to get everything in order so I’d be ready for the big move. Holly Huckleberry, the owner of Mail-Order Brides For Christmas, had called me several times, trying to set up a time for us to meet. Since we’d already worked out all the details for my upcoming nuptials, and I felt as though I had a million things left to do, I kept putting her off. But last night, she’d insisted that I needed to come into her office this morning since I left town for my new home tomorrow. I had apologized profusely for postponing our meeting until the last minute and agreed to be there first thing.
I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning to finish my packing. Other than my appointment with Holly, the only thing on my schedule was to choose a present for my soon-to-be husband. I didn’t know much about Christopher yet, and Christmas was still an entire month away, but I wasn’t sure what my shopping options would be like once I got to Snow Valley. I didn’t want to run the risk of not having something to put under the tree for him. This would be our first holiday season together, and I wanted everything to be perfect.
Rushing inside the office, I flashed a big smile at the receptionist. She shooed me straight into Holly’s office, who rose from the chair behind her desk to greet me. “Good morning, Winter. Thanks for coming in to see me.”
“My pleasure.” I dropped onto the corner of the loveseat Holly guided me toward. “I’m sorry it took me so long to return your calls. When you’re picking up and moving to a different state, the to-do list seems never-ending.”
“I can certainly understand,” she murmured, sitting down next to me. “I’m sorry I had to add to your list, but I have some news you need to hear before you arrive in Snow Valley.”
Some of my excitement faded, and I slouched against the cushions. “Why do I get the feeling this isn’t the good kind of news?”
“Probably because it’s something you’re not going to be happy about.” She flashed me a sympathetic smile before continuing, “Although his mother was the one who made all the arrangements for her sons, Christopher reached out to me via email to make sure his bride would be on the same page about how the marriage would go.”
“What does that mean exactly?” I asked, bracing myself for her answer.
“Christopher wants this to be a marriage in name only because he’d like to get an annulment after a few months,” she explained.
“I don’t understand,” I whispered, shaking my head as my brain reeled. This wasn’t at all what I was expecting to hear today, and I was beyond disappointed. “Why would someone want a mail-order bride in name only? And only for a short amount of time?”
“I know you said it didn’t matter why your groom wanted a mail-order bride. But with this little wrinkle, I definitely need to fill you in on the whole story.” She took my hands in hers and gave them a gentle squeeze, making me wish I hadn’t been quite so impulsive when signing up for this. “Christopher’s mother arranged brides through me for all six of her sons because she wants to save their hometown. Snow Valley is up for sale, and the corporation that wants to buy it is known for turning quaint locales into tourist hot spots. Pooling their money together, the boys have enough funds to swoop in and purchase the town, but an archaic law that’s somehow still in place—after the town founder wrote it more than a hundred and fifty years ago—says the purchaser has to be married. Christopher has agreed to his mother’s plan, but only for long enough to save the town he loves.”
Christopher sounded like the kind of guy who’d make the perfect husband. Not only was he doing something kind of heroic—and was willing to listen to his mom’s scheme in the first place—but he had also put the arrangement he needed at risk because it was the right thing to do. He could have just kept this information to himself and let me be blindsided when I showed up and anticipated a real relationship. There wasn’t much I could have done about it once we were married. “I’m glad he reached out to you. This would have been an awkward conversation to have when I arrived in Snow Valley.”
“I’ll understand if you want to reconsider your decision since you were expecting your marriage to be real.” Holly sighed and patted my hand. “The timeline is awfully tight, but I might be able to find a different bride for Christopher. Someone whose expectations will better match what he wants from a mail-order bride. And then I’d be more than happy to help you find a husband who would be a better match.”
I was tempted to take the easy way out, but I couldn’t stop thinking about what would happen if Holly wasn’t successful in finding another bride for Christopher. “The future of the whole town really depends on all six brothers getting married before the start of the new year?”
“I know it sounds like something out of a movie, but yes,” she confirmed with a nod. “The boys don’t have enough money to complete the purchase without all of them chipping in their savings. If one of the marriages falls through, then they won’t be able to buy Snow Valley, and the sale to Titan Corporation will go through.”
Getting my first—and what should have been only—marriage annulled wasn’t what I’d ever pictured for myself. As awkward as the whole thing was bound to be, my bags were already packed, and someone needed to marry the man to help save his town. Maybe I was as impulsive as Whitney said because I blurted out, “You don’t need to find Christopher someone else to marry. I’ll be his bride in name only.”
Chapter Three
Christopher
Snow Valley had one airport, but it was for private jets and small aircraft. Most visitors flew into a slightly larger regional airport and drove to town. However, if they didn’t have a car or want to rent one, then the next best mode of transportation to our little town was the train.
The station happened to be on Snowflake Lane. It was the same street I lived on, except I was on the opposite side of town, way out past the Snow Valley Ski Slopes, which meant a half-hour drive each way. Since Holly had assured me that my wife-to-be, Winter (my mother was going to flip over that name), was on board with the plan, I was hoping it wouldn’t be too awkward. Although...if she was a talker...it was bound to be uncomfortable.
I’d set up the guest room for her and even added a bouquet. It was a poor apology for being forced to live with my quiet, brooding ass for the next months, but they said more than I did.
While I waited for the train to arrive, I stood just off the platform, leaning against the brick wall of the station house. It was cold as fuck, but I loved the crisp, clean smell of the air when snow was headed our way. I glanced at my watch and saw that the train was running about fifteen minutes behind. My eyebrows tilted down into a frown. If they didn’t beat the snow, it would be a dicey ride back to my house. I wasn’t too far off the beaten path, but the plow only cleared the main roads. I kept a small blade to attach to my truck when I needed to get to town on snowy days.
For some reason, I’d felt some weird desire to impress Winter, so like an idiot, I’d driven my SUV instead. We’d still be able to get home, but it would be slow and steady. It meant more time in the car, which was bound to be f
illed with tense silence.
My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I dug it out to glance at the screen.
Lincoln: She there yet?
Lincoln and I had been best friends since we were kids, even though it made no sense since we were practically opposites. He was outgoing, funny, and the life of the party while I was the man of few words who would rather be working in my office or at home with my dogs and a good book.
Me: No. Train is late.
Lincoln: Got your horse and wagon all ready to take your mail-order bride back to the homestead?
Me: Been reading your sister’s romance novels again?
He’d been joking about my life becoming an old Western romance since I told him about the plan.
Lincoln: You know me. Swoon.
I barked out a laugh. Lincoln was a former SEAL and one of the burliest guys I knew. And while he didn’t turn his nose up at the idea of love and happily ever afters, he certainly wasn’t a romantic.
Lincoln: When is the wedding?
I shrugged as if he could actually see me while I typed my response.
Me: Sometime this week. Whenever I get a break from work and the judge is available.
Lincoln: Whoa, there. Slow down, Don Juan. Sounds like you’re going to sweep her off her feet!
I rolled my eyes before glancing up to see the lights of the train in the distance.
Me: Fuck you.
Lincoln: Save it for the wife, buddy.
One corner of my mouth ticked up as I shook my head and stuffed my phone back into my pocket. My hands were nearly frozen solid, so I shoved them in the fleece-lined pockets of my heavy leather coat and clenched and unclenched my fingers to get the circulation going.
Finally, the locomotive rolled in, the brakes squealing and hissing as it came to a slow stop. I pushed off the wall and ambled closer, stepping onto the platform. The doors slid open, and a few people exited from a handful of cars.
Holly had said that Winter was short with blond hair. I looked at each person as they deboarded but didn’t see anyone fitting her description. There was a girl one car down who might have fit the bill if she wasn’t so young. She was bundled up so much that I could barely see her face and only knew she was blond from the wild strands poking out from beneath her cap.
My mouth curled down when the last person had exited the train, and I saw no sign of my bride. Maybe she’d changed her mind. Fuck.
“Christopher Mistletoe?”
I glanced to my left to see the girl speaking to me. Except now that she was close, I could see that it was a woman staring up at me with the brightest, clearest, most incredible blue eyes I’d ever seen in my entire life. The world tilted, and I wondered if this was what Lincoln was talking about when he said swoon because I felt completely off-balance. My dick did not have the same reaction; it was solid as a rock.
“I’m Winter,” she said with a beautiful smile on her plump, red lips, showing off straight, even white teeth. Her nose was pert and tipped up just the tiniest bit at the tip, and her round cheeks made her look almost angelic.
She pulled off her cap and mountains of white-blond curls fell all around her. My breath caught in my lungs, and when I was finally able to suck in some air, I wheezed. Her eyes became alarmed, and she put a concerned hand on my arm. I would have sworn I felt the heat of her palm searing my skin through my heavy coat and long-sleeved sweater.
“Are you alright?”
No. I was not fucking all right. My world had just been upended, and I wasn’t sure what to do. So, I went with nothing…
“Fine,” I rasped. “Bags?”
Winter looked confused and a bit of hurt swam in her blue eyes, making my chest ache. I hadn’t meant to make her sad. But before I could fix it, she smiled and pointed at the baggage cart a few feet away.
Taking hold of her hand, I held it tight as I headed toward her things. I didn’t want to give her a chance to get away.
She pointed at two small suitcases, and I frowned down at her. “That’s all you brought?”
“I put everything else in storage. I figured it would be easiest if I only brought enough for the time I’ll be staying here.”
I grunted and grabbed both bags in one hand. “We’ll send for the rest of your shit tomorrow.”
She sputtered, but I ignored her as I stalked toward my vehicle, pulling the keys out and hitting the button to unlock it. When I reached the passenger side door, I wrenched it open, and only then did I release her hand. I dropped her bags onto the ground and grasped her waist and lifted her into the seat. Damn, she was tiny and barely weighed anything. I’d need to get some meat on her bones. My brothers and I were all large babies, and I wanted to make sure Winter was strong enough to carry Mistletoe boys.
I grabbed the seat belt and brought it around her before clicking it into place. As I pulled back, I thought about taking her lips in a deep kiss but decided I wanted our first kiss to be when we were pronounced man and wife. The thought had me mentally shaking my head. Maybe I was the pussy and not Lincoln.
I slammed the door and picked up Winter’s suitcases. Walking around the SUV, I paused to throw them into the back before completing the trek to the driver’s side. I started up the car and turned the heat on full blast since Winter looked as though she was shivering underneath all her layers. I didn’t make a move to drive, though. I sat there for a moment, trying to breathe normally and calm my racing heart while I contemplated my next steps.
It wasn’t really a question, but I’d never been the impulsive type, so it made sense to stop and consider the crazy plan that had formed in my mind. Somewhere between Winter introducing herself and taking her hat off, I’d decided she was mine. There was only one thing to do from here. I was keeping her. I shot off a text and set my phone in a cup holder where I knew I would hear it when a response came through.
I put the SUV in reverse and backed out of the parking spot, navigating the lot to get us out onto the road.
“Um, are we going to your house?” Winter asked softly. Her voice was pure and sweet, and it sent a shot of lust straight to my cock. Soon, very soon, I was going to find out what that voice sounded like when it was raspy with passion and crying out my name.
“Errand first,” I grunted. Shit. Sparkling conversationalist there, aren’t you, Christopher?
I cleared my throat and tried again. “We’re going to see a...friend, first. Then I’m taking you home.”
“Oh, okay.” I glanced over to see her giving me a pretty smile, and my mouth curved up a bit in reply.
My phone chimed, and I nearly swerved off the road in my haste to grab it and see if it was what I was waiting for.
Judge: Be here in fifteen or I’m locking the door and you’ll have to wait until tomorrow like the rest of the town.
A grin split my face, and I heard a gasp, which made my head whip in Winter’s direction, worried at what was causing her distress. But she didn’t look upset. Instead, she was staring at me with a look of awe.
“What?” I asked.
Winter’s cheeks turned pink, and she glanced down at her hands, which were folded in her lap. “Nothing.”
“Let’s not start this marriage out this way,” I suggested kindly.
From the corner of my eye, I saw her raise her head, and when I peeked at her, she was staring at me again.
“What way?”
“Don’t hide shit from me, and I won’t hide it from you. We should talk about stuff.”
Winter giggled, and I shot her a frown. But we’d arrived at the judge’s house, so I waited until I’d pulled into his driveway and put the car in park before turning to give her my full attention.
“I’m sorry, it’s just that you don’t seem like the talking type.”
“I’m not,” I replied truthfully. “Except with you. I want to talk to you.”
She smiled, and it warmed me all over. “Okay. I think that’s a great plan.” She blushed a little harder but kept her steady gaze on me when she a
dded, “You’re beautiful when you smile.”
My brows shot up at her declaration. No one had ever described me as beautiful before. Then again, I didn’t get many compliments from the ladies because I didn’t have time to date. I didn’t give a shit about anyone else’s praise, though. Only Winter’s.
“So are you.” Her blue eyes sparkled, and I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. We needed to get this shit over with right now. I was determined to have my ring on her finger before I got my mouth on her. And my mouth was watering for a taste of her lips and her pussy. If her delicious scent was anything to go by, it was going to be the most decadent thing I’ve ever tasted.
Besides, I needed to marry her so I could get on with the rest of my plan. Fucking her all day, every day, until she was carrying my son.
I shifted again, painfully hard, and growled, “Let’s go.”
She gave me an odd look, probably confused by my mood swing, but she’d understand when I was balls deep inside her later.
I hopped out of the car and jogged around to her side. By the time I opened her door, she’d unbuckled, so I helped her to the ground, making sure she slid down every inch of my body on the way.
The front door to the house opened, and the judge waved us inside. “Get in out of the cold. I’m too old to be up this late,” he groused. I chuckled as I slipped my arm around Winter’s waist and started toward the house. The judge was always complaining about getting old, but he was younger than my parents.
Once inside the house, he asked if he could take our coats, and when Winter removed hers, I nearly collapsed from my weak knees.
Winter was small, just as Holly had said, but the matchmaker had failed to relay the fact that Winter was a curvy fucking bombshell. “Fuck,” I breathed.
“Control yourself, son,” Judge griped. “Give me five damn minutes to get you married before you go dragging her off to consummate it.”
