Susan Wiggs - Marrying Daisy Bellamy

Praise for the novels of #1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs

Wiggs is one of our best observers of stories of the heart. She knows how to capture emotion on virtually every page of every book.

Salem Statesman-Journal

Wiggss talent is reflected in her thoroughly believable characters as well as the way she recognizes the importance of family by blood or other ties.

Library Journal

Susan Wiggs writes with bright assurance, humor and compassion.

Luanne Rice

THE SUMMER HIDEAWAY

An emotionally gripping tale centered on family. Wiggs is back in top form, and Daisy Bellamys many fans will rejoice that her story is next.

Booklist

[A] wonderful getaway to be savored and enjoyed.

Bookreporter

LAKESHORE CHRISTMAS

Wiggs hits all the right notes.

Library Journal [starred review]

Wiggs concocts a terrifically tasty holiday confection sure to be enjoyed by fans and new readers alike. A keeper.

RT Book Reviews [Top Pick]

FIRESIDE

#1 New York Times Bestseller

A Best Book of 2009Amazon.com

Worth a look for the often-hilarious dialogue alone, the latest installment of her beloved Lakeshore Chronicles showcases Wiggss justly renowned gifts for storytelling and characterization. A keeper.

RT Book Reviews

SNOWFALL AT WILLOW LAKE

A Best Book of 2008Amazon.com
Reviewers Choice finalist RT Book Reviews
RITA Award finalist

Wiggs is at the top of her game here, combining a charming setting with subtly shaded characters and more than a touch of humor. This is the kind of book a reader doesnt want to see end but cant help devouring as quickly as possible.

RT Book Reviews [Top Pick]

Wiggs jovially juggles the lives of numerous colliding characters and adds some winter-favorite recipes for a festive touch.

Publishers Weekly

DOCKSIDE

Rich with life lessons, nod-along moments and characters with whom readers can easily relate. Delightful and wise, Wiggss latest shines.

Publishers Weekly

A wonderfully written, beautiful love story with a few sharp edges and a bunch of marvelously imperfect characterssure to leave an indelible impression on even the most jaded reader.

RT Book Reviews [Top Pick]

THE WINTER LODGE

#1 Best Romance of 2007Amazon.com

A Best Book of 2007 Publishers Weekly

Reviewers Choice finalist RT Book Reviews

With the ease of a master, Wiggs introduces complicated, flesh-and-blood charactersa refreshingly honest romance.

Publishers Weekly [starred review]

Empathetic protagonists, interesting secondary characters, well-written flashbacks and delicious recipes add depth to this touching, complex romance.

Library Journal

Emotionally intense.

Booklist

SUMMER AT WILLOW LAKE

A Best Book of 2006Amazon.com

Wiggss storytelling is heartwarmingclutter free[for] romance and womens fiction readers of any age.

Publishers Weekly

Wonderfully evoked characters, a spellbinding story line and insights into the human condition will appeal to every reader.

Booklist

Also by SUSAN WIGGS

Contemporary Romances

HOME BEFORE DARK

THE OCEAN BETWEEN US

SUMMER BY THE SEA

TABLE FOR FIVE

LAKESIDE COTTAGE

JUST BREATHE

THE GOODBYE QUILT

The Lakeshore Chronicles

SUMMER AT WILLOW LAKE

THE WINTER LODGE

DOCKSIDE

SNOWFALL AT WILLOW LAKE

FIRESIDE

LAKESHORE CHRISTMAS

THE SUMMER HIDEAWAY

MARRYING DAISY BELLAMY

Historical Romances

THE LIGHTKEEPER

THE DRIFTER

The Tudor Rose Trilogy

AT THE KINGS COMMAND

THE MAIDENS HAND

AT THE QUEENS SUMMONS

Chicago Fire Trilogy

THE HOSTAGE

THE MISTRESS

THE FIREBRAND

Calhoun Chronicles

THE CHARM SCHOOL

THE HORSEMASTERS DAUGHTER

HALFWAY TO HEAVEN

ENCHANTED AFTERNOON

A SUMMER AFFAIR

SUSAN WIGGS

Marrying Daisy Bellamy

The Lakeshore Chronicles

This book is dedicated to my readers.
When Daisy Bellamy first sneaked into Summer at Willow Lake years ago, a sullen teenager with a chip on her shoulder, she was meant to just pass through the series. Instead, you kept her in your hearts, book after book, patiently waiting for her story to be told. Youve helped me stay motivated to write Daisys story for years. Many thanks for inspiring me to send this character on her own journey.

Contents

Part One

One

T he bridegroom was so handsome, Daisy Bellamys heart nearly melted at the sight of him. Please, she thought. Oh, please lets get it right this time.

He offered her a brief, nervous smile.

Come on, she said in a barely audible whisper, once more with feeling. Say I love you, and mean it. Show me what youre feeling.

He was a storybook prince, in his dove-gray swallowtail tux, every hair in place, adoration beaming from every pore. He stared intently into her eyes and, in a voice that broke with sincerity, said, I love you.

Yes, Daisy whispered back. Got it, she added, and lowered the camera away from her face. Thats what Im talking about. Good going, Brian.

The videographer moved in to capture the reaction of the newly minted bride, a flushed and pretty young woman named Andrea Hubble. Using his video camera as an extra appendage, Zach Alger gently coached the couple with a word or two and soon had them talking intimately about their love, their hopes and dreams, their happiness on this glorious day.

Daisy took a candid shot of the couple as they leaned in for another kiss. In the background, a loon beat skyward from Willow Lake, droplets of water sparkling like stars in the glow of early twilight. The beauty of nature added a sheen of romance to the moment. Daisy was good at capturing romance in her camera frame. In lifenot so much.

She longed to feel the joy she saw in her clients faces, but her own romantic past was a series of mistakes and missed chances. Now here she was, a screwup trying to unscrew her life. She had a small son who didnt realize his mom was a screwup, a responsible job and an unadmitted yearning for something she couldnt havethat shining love her camera observed through its very expensive lens.

I think were done here, Zach said, checking his watch. And you guys have a big party to go to.

The bridal couple squeezed each others hands, their faces wreathed in smiles. Daisy could feel the excitement coming off them in waves. Biggest party of our lives, said Andrea. I want it to be perfect.

It wont be, thought Daisy, keeping her camera at the ready. Some of the best shots happened at random, unplanned moments. The flaws were what made a wedding special and memorable. The glory of imperfection was one of the first things shed discovered when shed started working as a wedding photographer. Every event, no matter how carefully planned, had its imperfections. There would always be a groomsman facedown in the punch bowl, a collapsing pavilion tent, somebodys hair on fire when they leaned too close to the candles, an overweight, fainting auntie, a wailing infant.

These were the things that made life interesting. As a single mother, Daisy had learned to appreciate the unplanned. Some of her lifes sweetest moments came when she least expected themthe clutch of her sons tiny hands, anchoring her to earth with a power greater than gravity. Some of the most awful moments, tooa train pulling out of the station, leaving her behind, along with her dreamsbut she tried not to dwell on that.

She suggested that the newlyweds hold hands and hike across a vast, pristine meadow at the edge of Willow Lake. During the World War II years, the meadow had been the site of a communal Victory Garden. Now it was one of Daisys favorite settings, particularly at this golden hour of the day, when time hovered between afternoon and evening.