The Accidental Mrs. Mackenzie

Read The Accidental Mrs. Mackenzie Online

Authors: Bonnie K. Winn

“Tell me, how’d Gregory manage to propose in a hot-air balloon when he’s scared of heights?”
 
Sputtering, Brynn almost choked.
 
“I—I guess...he’d been working hard at conquering his fear....”
 
The silence wasn’t thick; it was impenetrable. Finally Matt said, “Sounds like Gregory did a lot of things he never had before.”
 
“Like I said, love...” She glanced up, meeting Matt’s gaze. There was something there—that same something she’d seen before. Whatever it was, she couldn’t complete the thought, couldn’t put the words between them again.
 
“Changes people,” he finished for her.
 
Brynn had the sudden urge to tell him the truth, to explain why she’d carried out the charade, how it had seemed like the right thing to do—
 
“I guess it’s a good thing love can change people,” Matt continued, not meeting her gaze now, “otherwise you and Gregory wouldn’t be married. And right now, you’re what’s keeping Dad going.”
 
Brynn’s confession died in her throat. What if she told all and his father took a turn for the worse? She never should have started the whole charade, but ending it now could be even worse!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A hopeless romantic, Bonnie K. Winn naturally turned to romance writing. This seasoned author of historical and contemporary romance has won numerous awards, including having been voted one of the Top Ten Romance Authors in America, according to
Affaire de Coeur.
Living in the foothills of the Rockies gives Bonnie plenty of inspiration and a touch of whimsy, as well. She shares her life with her husband, son and spunky Westie terrier.
Bonnie welcomes mail from her readers. You can write to her c/o Harlequin Books, 300 E. 42nd St., New York, NY 10017.
Books by Bonnie K. Winn
HARLEQUIN AMERICAN ROMANCE
624—THE NEWLYWED GAME
646—WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN
680—THE DADDY FACTOR
720—HIS-AND-HERS FAMILY
 
Don’t miss any of our special offers. Write to us at the following address for information on our newest releases.
 
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The Accidental Mrs. MacKenzie
BONNIE K. WINN
TORONTO • NEW YORK • LONDON
AMSTERDAM • PARIS • SYDNEY • HAMBURG
STOCKHOLM • ATHENS • TOKYO • MILAN • MADRID
PRAGUE • WARSAW • BUDAPEST • AUCKLAND
To Huntley Fitzpatrick for the inspiration, the faith and the friendship.
 
To my partners in crime, Jean Case and Karen Rigley, for your invaluable assistance.
Thanks for always being there, guys.
Prologue
Brynn Magee edged closer to the podium and the culmination of her plans—she was finally going to meet Gregory MacKenzie. Having jogged the same paths as he had for months, Brynn knew he was the
one
. Mr. Right.
She didn’t care if the label sounded dopey, because he was dreamy, handsome, successful, outgoing—everything she’d always wanted in a man. Brynn hadn’t yet gathered enough courage to introduce herself, but that was all going to change.
Now she was a valued charity-auction volunteer; one who’d stuffed envelopes, answered phones, lugged cartons, schlepped coffee, vacuumed sawdust, and dusted chandeliers. And Gregory would notice—because he was chairing this high-profile charity event. He would appreciate all her hard work, commiserate over the fingernails she’d sacrificed, laugh with her over her needless struggle for a simple introduction. Because, of course, he would tell her that it wouldn’t have taken more than a simple hello to catch his attention, a smile to keep it, and just a touch of encouragement to—
“Excuse me,” the impatient voice intruded. “You in outer space, lady?”
“No... Uh, of course not,” she mumbled, pushing at the heavy-rimmed glasses that nearly covered her face. “I guess I just didn’t hear you.”
“Guess not.” The photographer shot her another disgruntled look as he pushed past her, nearly toppling her from the narrow stage area.
Glancing around, Brynn saw that most of the press was crowding around. Which meant Gregory was probably ready to address them. Her heart thumping so hard she could scarcely hear above its rapid rush, she eased forward a bit, finding herself directly next to the speaker’s box. Closing her eyes, she made a quick, fervent plea.
And was rewarded by Gregory MacKenzie’s dazzling smile. Of course, it was directed past her at the news media; still, she could almost reach out and touch that perfect smile, those flawless cover-model features.
Then he spoke. It was the first time she’d actually heard him talk. Once Brynn had volunteered, she’d assumed she would meet Gregory, but instead she had been assigned to a committee under a minor director’s command. Now, though, she would have her chance.
Enthralled, she clutched the framed clipping she intended to casually hand to him during their introduction. He would be touched by her consideration and sensitivity. So touched that he would make sure he knew just how to contact her after the charity auction they were working on, and then—
“Excuse me.” One of the committee members passed behind Brynn, pushing her forward next to Gregory.
Glancing up, Brynn caught the flash of the camera as she angled her head toward him. In an instant, she realized she’d just become part of Gregory’s photo op. Thrilled, she turned with a dazzling smile as another flash went off, and then dozens more. When the photographers slowed down, Brynn gulped back her nervousness, hoping her smile still dazzled as she looked at Gregory again.
He started forward.
Her heart nearly stopped.
Then he stepped aside, leaving the podium, and was immediately caught up in the crowd. Brynn stared at him hopelessly. Her golden opportunity had been lost.
One photographer stayed behind to reload his camera. Brynn started to leave but then realized he was the one who’d taken most of the pictures of her with Gregory. Seeing that he’d nearly finished changing his film, she scrambled off the podium.
“Sir, excuse me?”
The photographer glanced at her without much interest, once he’d realized she wasn’t anyone important. “Yes?”
“You took pictures of Mr. MacKenzie that I believe I was in.”
“So?”
She slid two fingers behind her back. “As historian of the auction I need to collect all the pictures I can for our records. Could I get duplicates of everything you took today? I... We’ll be happy to pay for them.”
He spared her a brief glance. “I think the newspaper can cough up a few extras for charity.” He pulled out a rumpled card from his jacket. “Just give me a call—I took about two rolls.”
Brynn held fast to the card. “Thank you so much! I can’t tell you how much this means to me...us.”
“Sure, lady. Money goes to the children’s hospital. Gregory MacKenzie might be a corporate stuffed shirt, but he knows how to raise the dough.”
Brynn stiffened, but he didn’t seem to notice as he ambled away. Her affront faded as she clutched the card. She was going to have pictures of herself and Gregory. That in itself was a dream come true.
 
BUT BRYNN FOUND THAT her dream needed something more. True to his word, the photographer had given her a complete set of the pictures, yet she longed for them to have more meaning than an image of two strangers sharing the same podium.
Brynn stepped away from her drawing board where she was working on the comic strip,
Stephanie,
that she drew. She picked up the stack of pictures, looked at them once more, then tossed them down on a copy of
Brides
magazine she’d bought as research for
Stephanie.
As one photograph slid across the magazine it landed in a position that made it look as though Brynn’s face was above the wedding gown on the cover.
Chuckling, she lined the picture up more carefully so that her head completely covered the model’s face. It really did look like a fragmented page from what could be her own wedding album.
Flashbulbs ignited so quickly in her mind that they could have come straight from one of her own cartoon strips. Brynn glanced sideways at her drawing table to make certain they hadn’t.
Her own wedding album... A ridiculous idea. So silly it wasn’t even worth a thought. So ludicrous a sane person wouldn’t even have let it enter her mind. So absurd it was laughable. Still... Her own wedding album. One she could share with Gregory.
Even without his cooperation.
It could be done. Computer-enhanced photos could place people anywhere—including the dream wedding she’d fantasized about.
Brynn traced the outline of Gregory’s face on the picture. She’d planned to speak to him the day after the auction on the jogging path, but he hadn’t been jogging since the charity event. She guessed he was out of the country again. His position at an international manufacturing firm took him away often—she knew that from the frequent mentions in the papers. But when he got back, nothing was going to stand in her way. She’d gazed from afar for too long. And her elaborate plan to meet him had fizzled. It was time for the direct approach.
But first... She picked up the magazine and positioned her picture above the bride on the cover. She had a wedding album to create.

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