New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery returns with a classic story of destiny, desire and a little holiday magic!
In her youth, Molly Anderson couldn’t help crushing on gorgeous bad boy Dylan Black—even though he only had eyes for her older sister. When things didn’t work out between them, he said goodbye to Molly as well, vowing they’d have a great adventure when she grew up. Years later, dumped by her fiancé just before Christmas, she’s finally ready to take Dylan up on his promise.
A guarded Dylan always had a weakness for Molly, and when she waltzes back into his life—grown-up and gorgeous—he’s stunned. So why not whisk her away for some no-strings-attached fun?
Laughter-filled days and late-night kisses are changing Molly’s life, for good. The only gift she truly wants now is Dylan’s love, but when he discovers the secret she’s been keeping, she may lose him again…this time forever.
Praise for New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery
“Megastar Mallery provides plenty of holiday cheer.… [W]onderful…heartwarming.”
—RT Book Reviews on Christmas on 4th Street, 4 1/2 stars, Top Pick
“Fans of the Fool’s Gold series will enjoy this Christmas interlude.”
—Publishers Weekly on Christmas on 4th Street
“A sweet, heartwarming Christmas romance.”
—Kirkus Reviews on A Fool’s Gold Christmas
“Mallery has again created an engrossing tale of emotional growth and the healing power of friendship as these three ‘sisters’ meet life’s challenges.”
—Library Journal on Three Sisters
“The wildly popular and prolific Mallery can always be counted on to tell an engaging story of modern romance.”
—Booklist on Summer Nights
“Mallery infuses her story with eccentricity, gentle humor, and small-town shenanigans.”
—Publishers Weekly on Summer Days
“Susan Mallery is one of my favorites.”
—#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber
Dear Reader,
’Tis the season for romance! (But then, when ’tisn’t?) I’m filled with even more joy than usual this year because Mills & Boon has decided to reissue The Wedding Ring Promise with a Christmassy title and glorious new cover. Admit it…the wildly romantic holiday scene pulled you right in, didn’t it? When I first saw this cover, I felt as excited as a girl who had just opened a gift that was exactly what she wanted.
This book is very personal to me. Molly, the heroine of The Christmas Wedding Ring, was inspired by a wonderful friend who faced adversity with grace and humor, and who found her own happy ending. Molly deserves a terrific guy like Dylan, someone who will love her no matter what, someone who will appreciate her beauty and courage and kindness. Someone who will be kind to her in return. Not to mention, someone who makes her heart race!
I hope you’ll enjoy Molly and Dylan’s journey toward love. Happy holidays! May the coming year bring you four seasons filled with romance.
Love,
Susan Mallery
Prologue
Fourteen years ago—December 22
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God and this company...”
Molly Anderson tuned out the minister’s words and sighed impatiently. She wasn’t interested in being gathered together or standing through what promised to be a long, boring ceremony. She didn’t want to be here, and if the truth be told, her sister, the bride, didn’t want her here, either. But their mother had insisted.
“Whatever will people think if little Molly isn’t in the wedding?” her mother had asked. “Janet, make her one of your bridesmaids. You’re going to have so many that she won’t be in the way. If Molly is at the end of the line, she’ll be up against the wall of the church. No one will even see her.”
Molly raised her chin slightly. She knew she wasn’t supposed to have heard that conversation. She hadn’t really been eavesdropping. She’d just sorta been walking by the dining room. And it was her house, too, even if everyone seemed to forget that she lived there! She tightened her grip on her spray of ridiculous poinsettias. Poinsettias! Janet could’ve gone with red roses for her Christmas-themed wedding, but no, she had to choose poinsettias, which were already looking droopy, and the wedding had barely begun.
It didn’t matter, she thought grimly. Janet hadn’t wanted her to be in the wedding, and she, Molly, was only here because she’d been threatened with “severe punishment” if she didn’t cooperate.
She shifted until she was able to lean against the wooden paneling of the church wall. The service continued. Molly watched without a whole lot of interest. This wasn’t her idea of a romantic wedding at all. If nothing else, the bride and groom should be in love. But Janet was marrying Thomas because he was a successful lawyer and his family owned a huge law firm in San Francisco. Thomas was marrying Janet because she was beautiful. Janet got nearly everything because she was beautiful.