Brother Of The Groom (Harlequin Treasury 1990's) Read online

  How was he going to tell Holly?

  Letter to Reader

  Title Page

  Dedication

  Books by Judith Yates

  About the Author

  Prologue

  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

  Copyright

  How was he going to tell Holly?

  As Jordan walked across the hall to knock on the heavy wood door, the last thing he felt like was the best man. He felt like a spoiler.

  When the door opened, he stood speechless. Was this the skinny, pigtailed tomboy who used to follow Scott and him everywhere? This woman with graceful curves swathed in white satin and lace, golden hair swept up beneath yards of veil, her creamy skin glowing as she smiled at him—this lovely, radiant woman was a Holly he could never even have imagined.

  Knowing he was the last person she wanted to hear this from made it that much harder. “Ah, I need to speak to you.”

  She laughed and reached for her bouquet. “It’ll have to wait. I’m getting married in exactly one minute.”

  Jordan’s heart sank. How could he find the words to tell her that his brother wasn’t coming?

  Dear Reader,

  Happy New Year! We look forward to bringing you another year of captivating, deeply satisfying romances that will surely melt your heart!

  January’s THAT SPECIAL WOMAN! title revisits the Window Rock community for the next instant of Cheryl Reavis’s FAMILY BLESSINGS miniseries. Tenderly is about a vulnerable young woman’s quest to uncover her heritage—and the once-in-a-lifetime love she discovers with a brave Navajo police officer. Don’t miss this warm, wonderful story !

  It’s a case of unrequited love—or is it?—in The Nine-Month Marriage , the first story in Christine Rimmer’s delightful new series, CONVENIENTLY YOURS. This starry-eyed heroine can’t believe her ears when the man she worships proposes a marriage—even if it’s just for their baby’s sake. And the red-hot passion continues when a life-threatening crisis brings a tempestuous couple together in Little Boy Blue by Suzannah Davis—book three in the SWITCHED AT BIRTH ministries.

  Also this month, fate reunites a family in A Daddy for Devin by Jennifer Mikels. And an unlikely duo find solace in each other’s arms when they are snowbound together, but a secret threatens to drive them apart in Her Child’s Father by Christine Flynn. We finish off the month with a poignant story about a heroine who falls in love with her ex-groom’s brother, but her child’s paternity could jeopardize their happiness in Brother of the Groom by Judith Yates.

  I hope this New Year brings you much health and happiness! Enjoy this book and all our books to come!

  Sincerely,

  Tara Gavin

  Senior Editor and Editoral Coordinator

  Please address questions and book requests to:

  Silhouette Reader Service

  U.S.: 3010 Walden Ave., PO. Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269

  Canadian: PO. Box 609, Fort Erie. Ont L2A 5X3

  JUDITH YATES

  BROTHER OF THE GROOM

  For my big brother, Steve, and my little brother, John. You two are the best....

  With love from the sister in the middle.

  Books by Judith Yates

  Silhouette Special Edition

  Family Connections #912

  A Will and a Wedding # 1026

  Brother of the Groom # 1152

  JUDITH YATES

  grew up in a tiny New England town, where she secretly wrote novels after school. After such an early start, she finds it ironic that she didn’t get around to “following her bliss” of writing professionally until after she’d worked for years in Boston and Washington, D.C., married and started a family.

  When she’s not busy writing and taking care of her two small children, Judith volunteers at local schools and enjoys speaking to young people about writing—especially those who are secretly working on novels after school.

  Prologue

  Today was not the day to be late.

  Jordan Mason knew he’d never hear the end of it if he muffed up his job as best man for his younger brother. Especially under the circumstances.

  Irritated to the hilt by the mess known as Boston traffic, he ran up the steep cathedral steps. Dashing through a side door into the looming arched hallways of the Gothic church, Jordan soon found himself encircled by several excited bridesmaids and the bride’s teary mother.

  “Whoa there, Jordan. Where’s the fire?” one of the women teased.

  He took a deep breath, feeling somewhat foolish. “Apparently, I’m not as late as I thought.”

  All the young ladies laughed. Liza Farrell, who’d grown up with both the bride and the Mason brothers, patted his back. “Can’t wait to get Scott and Holly mar ried off, eh, Jordan?”

  Jordan held his tongue despite Liza’s dig. It was no secret that he had suggested the childhood sweethearts wait a year or two before walking down the aisle. But his advice had been rejected—vehemently. And that, as far as he was concerned, was the end of it. His little brother and Holly were on their own, mistake or not.

  He winked at Liza. “I’m counting the minutes.”

  “Well, your brother ought to be counting the minutes,” Holly’s mother chided, casting a wary glance at her jeweled watch. “I can’t believe he isn’t here yet.”

  “He isn’t?” Jordan was surprised. It wasn’t like Scott to show up at the last minute. Everyone considered him the Mason brother to rely on.

  “That’s what they tell me. And Holly’s almost finished dressing.” Mrs. West pulled a handkerchief from her satin handbag and began dabbing at her eyes. “She looks absolutely lovely in her gown. So elegant...like a real princess.”

  He fought the urge to roll his eyes. Holly had always been something of a princess in her parents’ eyes. From what he’d heard, her bridal regalia would be suitable for an authentic royal wedding. Yet Jordan couldn’t picture it. Holly West was T-shirt and jeans and a swingy blond ponytail. To him, she looked more like a carefree teenager than a woman about to be married in a very formal ceremony in front of God, family and half of New England.

  As Mrs. West led the bridesmaids. away, Jordan checked his watch. He wasn’t late, but he wasn’t terribly early, either. How in heck had he beaten Scott here?

  He meandered back to the main entrance, where six groomsmen had begun ushering the first few guests to their seats. He asked the guys if they’d seen Scott. None of them had. Jordan peered down the aisle, noting the expensive floral displays throughout the sanctuary and on the altar. The ethereal refrains from the cathedral’s old pipe organ filled the air.

  Turning back to the vestibule, Jordan spotted his father heading toward him. He looked anxious.

  “Is it true? Your brother’s not here yet?”

  “So it seems.”

  Lawrence grimaced. “He must be stuck in that awful traffic. Can you believe such a mess on a Saturday afternoon?”

  “That’s what happens when you get married less than a mile from an important Red Sox game,” Jordan joked, hoping to ease his father’s worry. “He’ll be waltzing in any second now.”

  “I hope so,” Lawrence replied, shaking his head. “Your mother, God bless her, would have had him here two hours ago.”

  Jordan smiled. “She’d
have everything under control.”

  “She loved Holly like a daughter, you know. She’d be thrilled about this marriage.”

  Jordan nodded, finding it tough to say more about his mother. She’d been on his mind a lot today. In the five years since her death, Lawrence had married a much younger woman and retired from business; Jordan had taken over Mason CompWare, the family’s computer software company; and Scott was marrying the girl next door. Their lives were so different now, and certainly not as close.

  “Have you talked to Scott today?” Lawrence asked abruptly. “He didn’t get carried away at the bachelor party, did he?”

  “Spoke with him this morning. He was awake, sober and getting ready.”

  “You haven’t said anything more about postponing the wedding, have you?”

  “Give me a break, Dad.”

  “Sony. Guess I’m nervous. Never have been father of the groom before.” Lawrence shrugged. “It’s just unlike him to be late. I’m sure he’ll be right along, though. Scott’s never- given me a day’s worry.”

  Unlike me, Jordan thought dryly. Yet he couldn’t help worrying now himself. Where in the world was Scott?

  Fortunately, a group of New York relatives descended upon them, offering a momentary distraction. When the Reverend Parker—all dressed and ready to perform the ceremony—tapped him on the shoulder, Jordan felt an immediate unease.

  The reverend did not look pleased.

  “You have an urgent telephone call, Mr. Mason. You may take it in the vestry.” He gestured Jordan to follow, adding in a discreet whisper, “I believe it’s your brother.”

  “He hasn’t had an accident, has he?” Jordan asked, hurrying down the side hall after the Reverend Parker. He glanced back at his father, grateful Lawrence was too occupied with the relatives to have noticed his departure.

  The clergyman shook his head. “It doesn’t sound like that’s ”his problem

  Jordan winced. Oh, God, please let it be just a matter of a flat tire or good old Boston gridlock. Please.

  The Reverend Parker pointed to the telephone on a comer table, closing the vestry door behind him when he left. Swallowing hard, Jordan pushed the blinking button as he lifted the receiver. “Scott, where are you?”

  “Home.”

  “Home? What the hell’s going on?” Jordan burst out. Deep down, he already knew.

  “I can’t do it, man. I can’t go through with the wedding.”

  Forgetting he was in church, Jordan muttered a few choice words.

  Scott coughed to clear his voice. “You were right all along. About everything. We’re too young...we’ve just gotten out of college...Holly’s the only girlfriend I’ve ever had. Man, Jordan, I just turned twenty-one.”

  “Ten minutes before the ceremony is a great time to change your mind. Everybody’s here.”

  “Ever since the rehearsal yesterday, I knew it would be a mistake to go through with it,” Scott admitted. “Only, I didn’t know how to stop it. I even got all tuxed up, thinking once I got to church I’d be fine. But it’s wrong, man. It’s all wrong.”

  Jordan closed his eyes. Suddenly, Scott’s heavy drinking at the bachelor party made sense. “Couldn’t you have said something last night?”

  His brother groaned. “I was scared. And part of me didn’t want to admit that, as usual, you were right. But you are right. About my not really wanting to help you run the business. About closing off possibilities. About everything.”

  For the life of him, Jordan wished he hadn’t been so right. “What about Holly? Don’t you love her?”

  “Yes, I love her,” snapped Scott. “Except my head is full of questions about how I love her. Maybe it’s not the marrying kind of love. We’re talking the rest of my life here.”

  “For crying out loud, I suggested you postpone the thing, not break it off.” Jordan paused, wanting nothing more than to wring his brother’s neck. “You’re absolutely sure you don’t want to go through with this?”

  “Absolutely sure.”

  “Then get yourself over here pronto and tell Holly.”

  “How can I tell her? I can’t face her—and everyone else.”

  “You owe her an explanation.”

  “I—I can’t go there,” Scott sputtered. “I won’t.”

  “So who in the hell do you expect to tell her? Me?”

  “Yes.”

  “Are you crazy? I’m not one of her favorite people these days. She’ll think I put you up to this.” He shook his head violently, as if his brother could see. “No way.”

  “Please, Jordan.”

  “Get over here, you little jerk, or I’ll come and drag you by the throat.”

  “Forget it. You don’t have a clue what it’s like trying to live up to everyone’s expectations. You don’t care. Well, I’m tired of being the one who always does the right thing.”

  “Dammit, Scott.”

  “I’ve written Holly a letter explaining everything. I’ll talk to her when I get back.”

  “Back? Back from where?”

  “I don’t know. I gotta get away from here for a while,” Scott said, his voice an emotional whisper. “Just tell her how sorry I am. Really, really sorry.”

  Stunned, Jordan kept the receiver on his ear several long seconds after Scott had hung up. How in God’s name was he going to tell Holly? Where did he even begin?

  The dressing room was directly across the corridor from the vestry. He could hear happy, feminine banter through the closed door. Anger kicked back in. Maybe he should tell Holly she was lucky to find out about the miserable little weasel before it was too late. She should be relieved to not be marrying the kind of man who’d leave her standing at the altar.

  Despite his anger, however, Jordan had no stomach for the job. As he walked across the hall to knock on the heavy wood door, the last thing he felt like was the best man. He felt like a spoiler.

  Liza answered his knock. “Finally,” she declared as she swung the door wide open. “Ready to start now?”

  He took a tentative step inside. Flanked by her mother and innumerable attendants, the bride stood in the center of the small room, fidgeting with her gown’s long white train. A nervous cough erupted in his throat, prompting Holly to turn around.

  Jordan stood speechless. It was as if he’d never really seen her before. Was this the skinny pigtailed tomboy who used to follow Scott and him everywhere? The smart-mouthed nuisance he’d known almost all his life? He eyed. her from head to toe. This woman with graceful curves swathed in white satin and lace, golden hair swept up beneath yards of veil, her creamy skin glowing as she smiled at him—this lovely, radiant woman was a Holly he could never have even imagined.

  At that moment he could have cheerfully murdered his wimp of a brother.

  She wrinkled her nose in perplexity—a habit that was pure Holly West. Her big brown eyes, suddenly as sassy as ever, glimmered with mirth. “Why are you staring at me like that, you big dope?”

  He coughed again as his heart sank. Knowing he was the last person she wanted to hear this from made it that much harder. “Ah, I need to speak to you.”

  She laughed and reached for the flowing bouquet of flowers in her mother’s hands. “It’ll have to wait. I’m getting married in exactly one minute.”

  “Holly, I really have to talk to you—alone.”

  She searched his gaze for one long, unbearable moment. He could hear his heart pounding in his ear. Then Jordan saw realization flash in her eyes. She knew. The sparkle and spirit that had been the Holly West he’d known forever evaporated before his eyes. She knew.

  “Scott’s not coming?”

  Somehow, the words needed to explain eluded him. His tongue felt like lead. All he could do was shake his head. “I’m sorry, Holly,” he whispered. “God, I’m so sorry.”

  The others in the room were stunned silent.

  “How could he? Why?”

  The grief in Holly’s voice pained him. Jordan reached out, but she shrank back.r />
  “He sent you to tell me?”

  In the longest five minutes of his life, he gently revealed what he knew. Holly managed to hold herself together while he explained. But after he left the room, the sound of her weeping seeped through the closed door. As he headed toward the sanctuary to alert the wedding guests, the devastation in Holly’s eyes haunted Jordan.

  He suspected it always would.

  Chapter One

  Jordan was lost And it was no one’s fault but his own. After all, he had let himself be snowed by an old man’s anxieties.

  He shook his head. Jordan Mason never used to be a soft touch. And look where succumbing to sentimentality had landed him: driving around in circles in some back-of-beyond town where he didn’t want to be, looking for a woman he hadn’t seen in five years.

  “At this rate it’ll take five more years to find her,” he muttered, surveying his surroundings one more time.

  There were no signs of the landmarks mentioned by the gas station attendant back in town. With a groan of disgust, he pulled a U-turn in the middle of the deserted country road. He was lost, all right. Good and lost.

  These days, some might call that par for the course.

  Jordan eventually scouted his way back to the center of Golden, Massachusetts. He decided to bypass the service station this time and try his luck at the general store. Maybe he’d get better directions there.

  The store’s interior, with its sawdust floors, glass cases and merchandise ranging from antacids to zipper pulls, was as quaint as its white clapboard exterior. Too quaint for Jordan’s taste. The white-haired gentleman manning the cash register suited the store’s Yankee ambience to a tee. Jordan snapped up a six-pack of soda and plunked it down on the checkout counter.