A Will and a Wedding

Cover Page

Excerpt

About the Author

Title Page

Dedication

Epigraph

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Dear Reader

Copyright

“Well, neither are you in love with me,” he replied. “Still, over the past few weeks I’ve noticed your relationship with these children. I think you would make a splendid mother.and wife.

Cassie marveled that his voice sounded so strong and steady. She felt like a quivering mass of jelly herself.

“I do have some scruples, you know,” she told him. “If you think that I could treat such a commitment so lightly, then you really don’t know me at all.”

“Think about it, Cassie,” he urged her. “You’d be able to do so much more for the kids here.”

It was all so confusing. And she had no one to confide in.

You always said you’d only marry for love. Her conscience pricked her once more. Yes, but if you marry him, you get to keep the house for the kids. You could continue the work God called you to.

“Help me,” she prayed silently. “You gave me the job. Now show me how to make the right decision.”

credits her love of writing to a childhood spent in a Sunday school where the King James Version of the Bible was taught. The majesty and clarity of the language in the Old Testament stories allowed her to create her own mind pictures while growing up in a tiny Canadian prairie village where everyone strove to make ends meet. During her school years, she continued to find great solace in those words and in the church family that supported her in local speech festivals, Christmas concerts and little theater productions. Later, in college, her ability with language stood her in good stead as she majored in linguistics, studied the work of William Shakespeare and participated in a small drama group.

Today Lois lives in another tiny Canadian town with her husband, Barry, and two very vocal sons. And still, her belief in a strong, vibrant God who cares more than we know predominates her life.

“My writing,” she says, “allows me to express just a few of the words God sends bubbling around in my brain. If I can convey some of the wonder and amazement I feel when I think of God and His love, I’ve used my words to good effect.”

www.millsandboon.co.uk

This book is dedicated with much love to my parents,

Dorothea and wilfred Schill, who taught me the value of faith and tenacity when striving for my goals. Thanks, Mom and Dad.

“Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;

And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way: but let it rather be healed.”

—Hebrews 12:12-13

Jefferson William Haddon III wanted a son.

Badly.

The problem, as Jefferson defined it, was that at age thirty-five, he had yet to find the type of woman with whom he would consider raising a child. And the very last thing he had expected was that someone would find such a woman for him.

“Would you say that again, please?”

Jefferson turned to stare at the woman across from him once more, unable to believe that his Aunt Judith had considered her suitable for marriage.

Not to him.

She wasn’t the type to be his wife.

If he had wanted one.

Which he did not! Not like this.

“Miss McNaughton will continue her sponsorship of you in your endeavor, Miss Newton, provided that you and her nephew, Jefferson Haddon, marry within the next two months. Until that time, you may both reside in her home, Oak Bluff, all expenses paid.” Judith’s old family lawyer cleared his throat.

“Mr. Haddon, when you marry you will receive Miss McNaughton’s fortune less Miss Newton’s yearly allowance of one hundred thousand dollars. You will both receive the deeds to the house and its entailments, free and clear. Miss Newton will, as your wife, continue to live in the house as long as she wishes.” The snowy haired gentleman paused to glance up at the couple seated before him. His light blue eyes darkened as he continued.

“If you should choose to ignore her wishes, Miss McNaughton has directed that neither of you shall benefit. Miss Newton will be forced to make other arrangements for her work and Mr. Haddon will have no further claim on her estate. The property will be sold and the money will go to an animal shelter she has so named.”

Even as he wondered what the woman’s ‘work’ was, Jefferson’s mouth fell open.

“But surely we can contest the terms of this will, Mr. Jones. You were her friend for years, surely you realize what a terrible position this places us in.” He stopped, conscious of the glowering countenance of the old lawyer.

“Your aunt was of perfectly sound mind when she made out this document.” The wrinkled old hand shook Judith’s will in front of them both. “Should the opportunity arise, and you decide to contest, young man, I will be happy to testify to her sanity. In court. Under oath.” The old man’s tone was frosty with contempt.