LITMIR.BIZ

       Chapter One

      Here comes the bride.

      For Jean Matrim, the arrival of Matrimony Valley’s first bride was a victory. She was looking at living, ready-to-walk-down-the-aisle proof that her long struggle to overhaul this town into a wedding destination was finally paying off.

      Violet Thomas was going to be wowed if Jean had to call in every favor and spend every last ounce of energy to do it.

      “You must be Violet,” Jean said with her best everything-is-going-to-be-wonderful smile. “Welcome to Matrimony Valley.”

      North Carolina could be stunning in the spring, and the mountains were certainly showing off today. A clear sun dazzled through bright green leaves as they fluttered in the May breeze. The town was showing off, too. Front stoops sported potted plants. The sidewalks were swept, and many of the town’s main-street businesses sported new coats of paint and cheery signage. Jean had even convinced nearly every shop on the newly renamed “Aisle Avenue” to put a little pot of violets in its window to welcome the valley’s inaugural bride on her first visit. People had worked hard, and everything looked as charming as she’d hoped.

      Violet certainly seemed to love it. “You must be Jean,” she gushed, looking around at the small town and then up to the clear blue sky with its adornment of fluffy clouds. “Look at this place. It’s just like I imagined.” Violet beckoned to someone inside the car. “Come out here and look at it, Josh. It’s perfect!”

      Josh? Violet had listed her groom as navy captain Lyle Davis. She’d mentioned that Lyle wouldn’t be on furlough until just days before the wedding. So this Josh—an uncle, brother or such—must be helping with the arrangements.

      A tall, dark-haired man with intense eyes opened the driver’s side door and stood up. At the sight of him, Jean was sure the Smoky Mountains behind her shifted a foot closer. The sight of this “Josh” pushed her so far off balance she nearly had to reach out and grab the car to stay steady.

      Joshua Tyler stood in front of her. He still possessed the same powerful air of confidence she’d remembered, the same charisma that once drew her heart to his. Of all the people she never expected to set foot in Matrimony Valley, Josh topped the list.

      Violet, oblivious to the shock wave going off in Jean’s chest, and likewise in Josh’s startled eyes, called him over. “Jean, this is my stepbrother, Josh. He isn’t only paying for a lot of this, but he’s giving me away at the ceremony. Right now, he’s a great stand-in for Lyle. We’ve only got Josh for forty-eight hours before business sweeps him away again,

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