His Brother's Christmas Bride

by Aislinn Kearns

  How had he made that mistake? And how had he not seen it in the few days he’d known her? Surely the clues had been there all along, and he’d missed them.

  He thought back to that first conversation with Peter, how distracted his brother had been. He’d said his fiancée was meeting with the wedding planner, and then he’d said “she” was coming to the house. He hadn’t specified which “she” he’d been talking about.

  And since then Will had avoided talk of the wedding, of Molly’s supposed relationship with Peter. They’d spoken of her plans for the ceremony, but only in the most generic terms.

  Will, idiot that he was, hadn’t picked up on the signs. He’d only seen what he’d expected to see.

  That she and Peter were such an odd fit. That she’d said “they” instead of “we”. Her notebook, filled with all the weddings she’d worked on previously.

  He’d been a fool. An utter, ridiculous fool.

  Too consumed with his attraction and guilt and jealousy to see what was right in front of him.

  And once again, he’d driven away a woman he cared about because he was too in his own head, too concerned about infidelity to realize it wasn’t even happening.

  “Oh, God,” he whispered.

  Nina’s shoes came into his field of vision. “Do you know how difficult it was to find a wedding planner with such short notice? She’s a little unconventional, but Peter’s colleague’s brother recommended her and he’s very particular. I have no complaints so far. Will she be back? I won’t have time to do all the last minute wedding prep myself. I have a spa day booked.”

  And just like that, Will knew Nina was absolutely perfect for his brother. He had no qualms about them getting married so soon. Somehow, knowing Nina was exactly the kind of woman he’d pictured his brother marrying set his mind at ease.

  The weight of guilt lifted from his shoulders. He hadn’t been falling in love with his brother’s future bride.

  But that didn’t mean he hadn’t royally screwed up.

  “I’ll fix it,” he announced, standing suddenly.

  Peter and Nina both took a step back at his vehemence. Will ignored them, striding toward his truck. He got in without saying goodbye and swung the nose around before jamming his foot to the floor and speeding off down the drive.

  Once he turned onto the main road, he ignored the speed limit as he headed toward the city. He had to catch her before she got too far, because he had no idea how to reach her once she disappeared into the city crowds. He let out a breath of relief that this stretch of road was deserted as usual.

  After five fraught minutes, where his heart leaped into his throat at the thought he might have lost her, Will spotted her car ahead.

  He flattened the accelerator to catch up. When he was close, he pulled into the other lane and drew level with her car.

  Molly’s eyes widened when she caught sight of him. He gestured for her to pull over, and she shook her head, then locked her eyes on the road ahead of her.

  Will tightened his jaw and sped up, then darted into the lane ahead of her. He tapped the brakes, slowing, and forcing her to do the same. But rather than allow herself to be forced to stop, Molly maneuvered her car around his and tried to overtake him.

  Growling in frustration, Will flattened the accelerator again and leaped forward, forcing Molly back behind him. He kept his foot down, racing ahead of her. In the rear view mirror, he could see her pleased grin, but he ignored it.

  When he judged himself far enough ahead, he slammed on the brakes and swung the back of his truck around. It skidded on the road while he held tight to the steering wheel. Finally, the truck stopped horizontally on the road, blocking any traffic in both directions.

  Molly’s eyes widened when she saw what he’d done and slammed on the brakes. She jerked to a halt with only feet to spare.

  The second her car was stationary, she leaped out and charged toward him. “What the hell were you thinking?”

  Will opened his door more slowly. “I need to talk to you.”

  “By endangering my life?” Her eyes flashed with righteous fury, and Will knew he wasn’t falling in love with her. He was already head over heels. The knowledge terrified and thrilled him at the same time.

  He almost laughed at the revelation, but swallowed it back. Things were so fragile, and one wrong move on his part meant he could lose her forever.

  “You wouldn’t pull over. I had to take drastic action.”

  “What the hell is with you today? First you act like a total jerk, and now you’re acting like a stunt car driver. Have you been possessed or something?”

  “No,” he said. “But I have been an idiot.”

  Molly’s mouth snapped shut and her eyebrows rose in surprise. “I won’t disagree, but do you want to be more specific?”

  “Yes. Even though this is highly embarrassing.” He planted his hands on his hips and scuffed his boot against the frozen road, gearing himself up to admit his horrible mistakes.

  She narrowed her gaze. “Really?”

  Will couldn’t read her, had no idea what was going through her mind. He swallowed heavily. If he’d learned anything in the last few days, it was that he needed to lay everything on the line for Molly. To prove to her that he wanted all-in with this.

  He’d been hiding away for too long, and they both knew it. Now, he had to put himself out there.

  And he also had to give the mother of all apologies, because Molly didn’t look to be in any kind of mood to forgive him.

  “There was a case of mistaken identity,” he told her. “In the unexpected phone call where my brother announced his sudden engagement and hasty marriage, he said his future wife would be meeting with the wedding planner, and then “she” would come to the house.”

  Molly tilted her head, as if she could see where this was going, but she didn’t say anything.

  He cleared his throat. “I assumed that his fiancée was coming to the house. So when you arrived, that’s what I believed you to be.”

  Molly let out an incredulous laugh. “And all this time, that’s who you assumed I was? You didn’t pick up any hints that you’d got it all wrong?”

  “Well, the thing is, we didn’t talk about Peter all that much, so I missed the most obvious clues.”

  She scoffed.

  “I know, it sounds ridiculous. But I was so consumed by guilt, thinking that history was repeating itself, this time with me as the bad guy, I couldn’t see what was right in front of my eyes.”

  Molly eyed him for a long moment. “And what was that?”

  “That you weren’t the kind of person who’d cheat.” He took a tentative step forward, longing to reach out to her.

  She rolled her eyes. “Well, I’m glad you finally figured that out.”

  Will made a sound of annoyance. He was royally screwing this up, and it was his one chance to make it up to Molly. Once he let her leave, he had no doubt he’d never see her again.

  “I know. I was a fool. But I was looking for signs that weren’t there because of my past. I should have trusted you, and I should have figured it all out much sooner.”

  Molly studied him for a long moment, and hope bloomed in him. Could she forgive him?

  “You’re an idiot,” she said, and his hope deflated.

  “Yes.” He couldn’t argue with the truth.

  “Why did my identity matter so much to you?”

  “What?”

  “You said you were consumed by guilt. Why?”

  Will sucked in a deep breath. Was that hope he saw in her eyes? He stepped forward and placed his hands on her shoulders. She didn’t pull away, so Will looked deeply into her eyes.

  “Because I was falling in love with you.”

  She gasped, but he wasn’t done.

  “You’re everything I want in a woman and more. Fun and funny and warm and excitable and… everything.”

  “Will,” she said softly. “It must have been eating you up inside, given your history.” />
  “It was. But don’t give me too much sympathy. I was more willing to believe you were a con artist than consider you might not be my brother’s intended bride.”

  She laughed. “Seriously?”

  “Seriously.” He sobered. “I’m so sorry for the way I treated you. Not just today, but since I met you. You’ve been nothing but lovely, and I returned that with suspicion and rudeness, none of which you deserved.”

  Her eyes warmed. “At least now I understand why you were so hot and cold on me.”

  “I’m sorry. You must have been so confused. Can you forgive me?” He held his breath, waiting for the answer that could change his life.

  “You’re really falling for me?” she asked, voice soft and hopeful.

  “Molly, I’m already there. I’m in totally, completely in love with you.”

  Her breath hitched and a slow grin spread across her face. “Oh, Will. I love you, too.”

  And with that, Will didn’t waste another moment. He cupped her face and bent to kiss her. Properly this time. Thoroughly.

  And he didn’t move until the honking horns of multiple trucks disturbed the perfect moment.

  Chapter Ten

  Will adjusted his tie as the bride appeared through the trees.

  He glanced at his brother, to see Peter beaming more happily than Will had seen him in a long time, maybe ever. This marriage would be good for him, Will had no doubt.

  Will’s gaze shifted to Molly at the back of the crowd. Their eyes met and he sent her a grin and a wink.

  Even from where he stood, Will could see her blush, and his heart swelled.

  He turned his attention back to the ceremony, lighter than he’d been in a long time. He was glad this old place was imprinting new memories on them. Even the sight of his parents in the audience didn’t cause his usual grief.

  Will was happy. Far more so than he ever could have imagined.

  Over the last few days, he’d seen Peter and Nina together and was increasingly convinced they were utterly perfect for each other.

  And he felt the same about himself and Molly.

  He had no doubt he’d marry her eventually. Even though he was still working through his issues to do with marriage and fidelity, he’d get there. For Molly, if not for himself.

  Maybe next year, Molly would be the Christmas bride.

  But, for today, he would celebrate his brother’s happiness, and a new addition to the family. And then he’d dance his promised dance with Molly at the reception, and she’d be exactly where she belonged.

  In his arms.

  Author Bio

  Wounded Heroes. Action Movies. Happily Ever Afters.

  These are a few of Aislinn’s favourite things, and you’ll find all of the above in her writing. Whether it’s the Soldiering On series – about wounded military veterans starting a security company together and finding love along the way – or her series about underground fighters.

  If she’s not reading romance novels or watching action movies, you’ll find Aislinn writing like mad to get the next book out. She also loves to travel to new places around the world, forever in search of the perfect cottage in the forest that she hopes to one day call home.

  Visit her at https://aislinnkearns.com/

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