In "Wynne's Wish," Wynne Sommers finds herself at a crossroads in life with no job, no money, and no place to live. Desperate for a solution, she comes across an advertisement for the Cinderella Ball, a chance for her to find a husband by the end of the month. Against her friend Laura's protests, Wynne decides to take a leap of faith and marry a complete stranger. With determination and a belief in the power of fairy tales, Wynne sets out on a journey to find her knight in shining armor. But will this unconventional approach lead her to true love or bring a whole new set of challenges into her life? Find out in this heartwarming and enchanting romantic tale.
Chapter 1 A Fluke Discovery
Isabella Rosewood sat on the floor of her apartment and cupped her chin, her pale brows
drawn together in thought. "Do you know what I really need, Sophia?"
Her friend snorted, folding clothes into a large moving box. "Sure I know. You
need to have your head examined if you still intend to go through with this ridiculous
idea."
"No...What I really need is a knight in shining armor. A protector."
Sophia shoved the box to one side and glared. "Oh, for crying out loud! Why don't
you just wish for Perfect Match, a beautiful palace and a million dollars while you're at it? It's
just as realistic." She threw up her hands in despair. "Listen to me talking about realism,
and to you of all people. A woman planning to marry a complete stranger wouldn't
recognize reality if it bit her on the-"
"Yes?" Isabella questioned, amusement clear in her voice. "Bit me where?"
"Oh, forget it," Sophia muttered. "Why do I bother?"
Isabella smiled, not in the least offended by her friend's bluntness. "Because you
care. And in case you've forgotten, I know all about reality and being realistic. It hasn't
worked for me, which is why I'm willing to give the alternative a try."
"I know," Sophia said, contritely. "But to marry a complete stranger-"
"My point exactly. Since I am going to marry a complete stranger, why not pick
one with all the qualities I need?"
"Because it's crazy. It's just asking for trouble." Sophia's gaze grew concerned.
"Please, don't do this. There has to be another solution."
"You know there isn't," Isabella said with calm finality. "I've lost my job, my
apartment and I'm out of money. This is the only option left. It'll work out, you'll see."
Sophia frowned. "What do you mean you're out of money?" she demanded. "What
happened to your savings?"
"I spent every last penny on my ticket to the gala. I had to. It was the only way to
find a husband by the end of the month."
A long silence stretched between them. Isabella Rosewood knew she'd upset her friend, but
she had no choice. From the moment she'd found out about the enchanted gala, she'd
known it was the answer to her prayers. It had been a fluke that she'd seen the
advertisement at all-a newspaper left at the restaurant where she'd worked, a gust of
wind from an open doorway, pages of newsprint blowing to the floor and...And there it
was. A small, elegant ad that had caught her eye and offered a chance of a lifetime.
The enchanted gala, it had read. Find romance. Find your Perfect Match. Find
the woman of your dreams. The enchanted gala offers the opportunity for immediate
matrimony. Come to the gala single and leave happily wed. And it had given a phone
number, a number she'd called that very night. A ticket to the gala had been exorbitant,the application form detailed and thorough. But she'd apparently passed whatever
investigative process they required and been accepted as a guest to the gala.
Unable to resist, Isabella crossed to the scarred dining table at the far end of the
room and stared down at the thick gold-embossed envelope she'd placed on her best
remaining china plate. It had arrived earlier that day, hand-delivered by a liveried
messenger along with a card that read, "The Montagues wish you joy and success as
you embark on your search for matrimonial happiness." Taking a deep breath, she
opened the envelope again, removing the white velvet pouch inside.
Reverently she ran a callused fingertip over the pouch, then slid the surprisingly
heavy gilt "ticket" from its nest. The metallic wafer caught the light from the overhead
bulb and shimmered as though alive, flooding the drab room with a brilliant, golden
promise. She'd done the right thing, she assured herself, made, the only possible
decision. Just holding the engraved ticket filled her with that certainty.
Sophia came to stand behind her. "I'm sorry, Isabella," she said. "I didn't mean to
criticize. It's just...I worry about you. You don't always see people the way they really
are, and I'm afraid one of these days someone will take advantage of you."
'I suppose that gives me even more incentive to tie the knot. With a husband by my side, he can ensure that such a situation never occurs."
"What if he manipulates you for his own gain?"
Isabella laughed. "I wouldn't settle for a man like that. That's precisely why I'm eager to attend the Enchanted Gala. The man I encounter there will be remarkable." She smiled with dreamy certainty.
"He'll be good and kind, patient and loving. Strong. Fair."
"Yeah, right. A knight in shining armor. A protector."
A small frown creased Isabella's brow. "I know women aren't supposed to need
protection. They're not even supposed to want it anymore. Do you think he'll mind? It
won't be for long. Just until Mrs. Harper is taken care of."
"You aren't going to tell him, are you?" Sophia Kensington demanded bluntly. "Not
everything?"
"It's only fair."
Sophia planted her hands on Isabella's shoulders and turned her around. "Listen, my
friend. I'll go along with this crazy scheme, I'll even help in any way I can. But there's
one condition."
"Only one?" Isabella teased.
"Just one. You aren't to tell him the truth until after you're married."
"But-"
"Look what happened when Caleb found out. He ended your engagement."
Isabella grimaced. "He obviously wasn't the man I thought he was."
"Nor was Julian. Nor was Lucas. The minute they found out, they both dumped
you, too."
"All that means is that knights are in scarce supply these days," Isabella insisted.
"My point exactly. So if you take my advice, you'll pick out your knight, wed him,
bed him, then tell him the truth. That way he won't have any choice but to help you."
Reluctantly Isabella shook her head. "I can't lie, Sophia. You know I can't."
"Fine. Just don't give him all the details. Be vague." Sophia glared. "You can be
vague, I know you can. I've seen you do it often enough."
Isabella peeked up at her friend. "I believe that's thoughtful, not vague," she
offered.
"Trust me. I know vague when I see it and you're vague."
"Okay, but I can't lie."
"I'm not asking you to lie. Just be selective in what you tell him. I'm not joking,
Isabella. I want your promise. I know how seriously you take promises. Swear to me that
you'll keep your mouth shut until the ring's on your finger."
Isabella frowned, hesitant to commit to something so contrary to her nature. "I
promise I won't tell him until after we're married...unless he asks." She lifted an
eyebrow. "Is that good enough?"
"I guess it'll have to do." Sophia sighed. "Let's just hope he's so enthralled by big
green eyes and white-blond hair he doesn't think to ask too many questions."
"It'll work out, you'll see," Isabella consoled. "Why, with any luck at all, he'll be
vague, too."
Chapter 1 A Fluke Discovery
18/09/2023
Chapter 2 A Furious Undertone
18/09/2023
Chapter 3 The Love at First Sight
18/09/2023
Chapter 4 Meeting Ella Montague
18/09/2023
Chapter 5 Caught in the Trap
18/09/2023
Chapter 6 Unplanned Passion POV Wayne
18/09/2023
Chapter 7 A Choice, a Reluctance, and a Glimpse of Hope
18/09/2023
Chapter 8 Lost In Darkness
18/09/2023
Chapter 9 Succumbing To Temptation
18/09/2023
Chapter 10 Succumbing To Temptation II
18/09/2023
Chapter 11 Testing Boundaries
19/10/2023
Chapter 12 Morning surprises and passion dawn
20/10/2023
Chapter 13 Arrival In Chesterfield
21/10/2023
Chapter 14 Unwanted Encounters
21/10/2023
Chapter 15 Tempting daydream & dinner plan
21/10/2023
Chapter 16 Unexpected Revelation
21/10/2023
Chapter 17 Embracing the Moment
21/10/2023
Chapter 18 Rescued from the cold
21/10/2023
Chapter 19 Trial by Absence
21/10/2023
Other books by Kay Hustle
More