Former beauty queen Jamie Summers has more problems than just world peace to worry about. When Jamie returns to her hometown of Aspen Grove, her mother's Chick Flick Clique friends are exceedingly curious about the state of her relationship with long-time boyfriend Christopher Ellington. Jamie is curious, herself. When Christopher proposes for the third time, she hesitantly accepts. Since he immediately leaves for an extended overseas business trip, she's relieved to have some time to get used to the idea, placing the ring safely beside her tiara and not mentioning it to anyone. New neighbor David Stevens has good reason to avoid beautiful women, but when his three-year-old daughter Sunny sees Jamie, she's convinced she's her mommy. He begins to learn more about her, he realizes she's not like his ex-wife, and he's glad she's not wearing any other man's ring. How did life get so complicated so quickly? Jamie has gone from Miss California to Miss America to Big Mistake. Is she about to lose everyone she's come to care about?
Excerpt from Regally Blonde
CHAPTER ONE
“Jamie Sue Summers, will you marry me and make me the happiest man on earth?”
Trapped, Jamie could feel everyone in the restaurant staring at her as the conversations around them swirled down to whispers.
Why did Christopher Ellington always have to propose in such public places?
Her face heated as he went down on one knee before her, holding a perfectly budded red rose in one hand and an open ring box displaying a gorgeous, dazzling diamond in the other. He knelt in the space between their corner table and the three tables circling them.
So, if Christopher was doing everything just right, why was she so darned panicked?
Breathe.
In.
Out.
She could do this. She could. Women accepted marriage proposals every day. She just had to open her mouth and say the words.
Obviously concerned, Christopher placed the rose on the table before her, took her hand, and lowered his voice. “Jamie, you know how much I love you. And you know I’ll do everything I can to make you happy for the rest of our lives and forever.”
It was like Jamie’s tongue was stuck to the roof of her mouth, as if her filet mignon had been filled with sticky peanut butter. Here she was receiving a proposal from a wonderful man she loved— she was sure of it!— and yet she couldn’t utter a word.
Christopher leaned forward just a little and whispered, “Jamie? Honey? Please say something. Anything.”
She blinked and found her voice, raspy though it might be. “Christopher, I . . . I wasn’t expecting this.”
“I’ve proposed twice before on our anniversary.” His voice stayed low and gentle. “It can’t have come as a total surprise.”
Her face blazed hot. “I know, I know.” She would never— not even if she were tortured— ever admit she’d forgotten today was the anniversary of the day they’d met three years ago.
He looked into her eyes for a long moment, sighed and stood, shrugged to the others in the restaurant, placed the rose and ring box on the table in front of her, and took his seat.
The other diners drew a collective sigh of disappointment.
Christopher loved to create these romantic—and dramatic—moments. She supposed this theatrical quality of his came in handy as a successful attorney. Plus he was good-looking, kind, thoughtful, and sweet. He did all sorts of good things with his legal expertise, such as providing the homeless with free legal advice, and had even won awards from the state for his pro bono work.
She should jump at the chance to marry him. Any reasonable woman would. But she just couldn’t. She needed more time. She spoke softly, not wanting any of the other diners to overhear. “Christopher, I’m really sorry.”
He smiled sadly. “I went about this all wrong, didn’t I? What I should have done was put you up on stage and given you a microphone. You always do great in front of large audiences.”
As the waitress lifted the plates that had held Jamie’s delicious filet mignon and Christopher’s King Crab legs, she took a wistful glance at the ring, and left.
Christopher took a sip of his soft drink and set down the large metal mug carefully before sighing again. “I was hoping to have an answer before I leave for Micronesia. That way I would have these two moments intertwined in my memory forever—the week my beautiful Miss America said yes and I leave on a dream assignment with Senator McLane. It just couldn’t get any better than that.” He took a deep breath and his voice roughened with emotion. “Until the birth of our children, that is.”
Jamie wanted children. She really did. So why this flash of panic at his words? And why was that followed by a feeling of relief over his imminent departure? She tried to change the subject by saying, “I am so proud of you for getting assigned to this trip,” and tried to reassure herself that her relief was just because he was pressuring her. “Remind me what time your plane leaves.”
“Middle of the night. And you’re changing the subject.” His voice was still loving and warm, but there was a note of firmness he’d never used with her before. “Jamie, I would like the courtesy of an answer.”
Apparently, he was going to push this time. She nibbled on her bottom lip. Glass crashed in the back of the restaurant and she turned toward the sound, grateful for the distraction. Only when she turned back, she saw in Christopher’s light blue eyes that there would be no distractions tonight. “Can I have a few days to think about it?”
“We’re been dating for three years. Exclusively.” He sounded exasperated. “Would you please give me an idea of just how much more time you’re going to need?”
Tears stung her eyes and she blinked. She wished she knew. She wished she could marry Christopher that easily. Why couldn’t she? Maybe she should just walk through it. Maybe they could just get the whole thing over with. Tonight, even. Push through her cold-feet fear and get on with being married. “Maybe we could elope.”
“Elope?” He frowned. “What would your mother and father think? Their beautiful daughter just up and runs off someplace like—Where? Vegas?—and gets married in some cheap wedding chapel? Is that really what you want?”
“No. No. Of course not.”
“Because I expect a big fancy wedding. I want to be with you forever, Jamie.”
“Me, too. I just thought that perhaps you’re right. Of course, you’re right. I mean, what am I waiting for? I do love you, Christopher.”
There. She’d said it. She drew in a deep breath and sat very still while the words vibrated through her, like butterflies tickling the inside of her entire body.
He tilted his head and his eyes widened. “Really?”
“Of course I do. You’re a wonderful man. What’s not to love?”
His voice softened and a warm smile lit his face. “And you are, as always, the most ravishingly beautiful woman in the room.”
Jamie knew that was important to Christopher. Sometimes she wondered if he was more in love with the face than with the woman—but even as she had the thought, she realized it was ridiculous. Christopher wasn’t a shallow man. He loved her. She knew he did.
A couple seated at a table behind Christopher glanced her way. All the diners at the Old-English-themed restaurant were surreptitiously watching to see how the drama played out.
Their conversation, strained for a few moments, now returned to a more normal course. Good. Perhaps he’d let it go again and she’d have another year to get ready to say yes. Only next year she’d darn well remember the anniversary—September 14th—so he wouldn’t catch her by surprise again. After all, she knew it was coming. She’d just have to prepare for it. Next year, she would be ready.
After they finished their raspberry sherbets, Christopher looked at her seriously. “Sweetheart, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately.”
She nodded.
“I was hoping this year would be different. But, well, if you really don’t want to get married, I’d like to be set free right now. Because I am ready for a wife and children.” He paused, reaching for her hand. “I’m nearly thirty and I’m tired of waiting.”
She nibbled on her lower lip, not sure what to say.
He looked down, lifted her hand and kissed it, then pressed her palm to his cheek. When he gazed into her eyes again, she could feel the love emanating from him. “I love you, and I want you in my life, Jamie, but . . .” He paused and squeezed her hand, his brow wrinkling as if with worry. He drew in a deep breath, and said, “But if you don’t love me enough to marry me, please tell me right now.”
She blinked twice, shocked. Was he giving her an ultimatum? Because that’s what it sounded like. She would have gotten angry, except she realized she had no right to get mad at him. She’d kept him waiting for years now and that wasn’t fair to him. He was a good man. Loving. Patient. Caring. He’d make a wonderful husband and father. She couldn’t find anyone else who would be better for her than Christopher.
She’d just always thought true love would be more overwhelming, more full of pizzazz, more . . . sweep you off your feet and bells ringing and fireworks. But that wasn’t real life. At twenty-six years of age, she needed to finally plant her feet firmly on the ground and quit dreaming. She’d received both the Miss California and Miss America crowns. Maybe those fireworks-filled moments had ruined her for the more normal parts of life. But, fact of life: All moments weren’t going to be fireworks. Some moments were just plain housework, cooking, and boredom.
If Jamie didn’t say yes, she was going to lose Christopher. That was apparently another fact of life. She had put it off as long as she could. She’d taken a man with the patience of Job and pushed him to an ultimatum. If she didn’t say yes, she might lose him, and she didn’t want that. Of course she didn’t. She was going to have to deal with her panic attacks and get over her cold feet.
At six-foot-four and muscular from weight-lifting, Christopher was easy on the eyes. They’d probably have very cute kids.
Quit stalling! You can do this! She smiled at him. It always worked at presentations in front of large crowds.
“Yes.” The word came out shakier than she’d intended.
He raised one eyebrow. “Excuse me?”
“Yes.” She said it more firmly this time as she touched his hand. “Yes, Christopher, I will marry you.”
“Really?”
“Of course.”
He jumped up and drew her into a hug. When he slipped the ring onto her finger, the people at the surrounding tables clapped and whistled.
She could feel herself blush and she froze inside. She wasn’t prone to panic attacks, but butterflies began fluttering in her stomach.
A young guy in his twenties and a suit said, “Way to go, dude!”
The woman at the next table sniffled and wiped her eyes.
Tears glinted in Christopher’s eyes and his voice was full of emotion as he leaned forward to kiss her. “I do love you, Jamie. We’ll be very happy together. I promise.”
She smiled at him. “I love you, too.”
There. She’d said it twice. It must be true.
“Jamie Sue Summers, will you marry me and make me the happiest man on earth?”
Trapped, Jamie could feel everyone in the restaurant staring at her as the conversations around them swirled down to whispers.
Why did Christopher Ellington always have to propose in such public places?
Her face heated as he went down on one knee before her, holding a perfectly budded red rose in one hand and an open ring box displaying a gorgeous, dazzling diamond in the other. He knelt in the space between their corner table and the three tables circling them.
So, if Christopher was doing everything just right, why was she so darned panicked?
Breathe.
In.
Out.
She could do this. She could. Women accepted marriage proposals every day. She just had to open her mouth and say the words.
Obviously concerned, Christopher placed the rose on the table before her, took her hand, and lowered his voice. “Jamie, you know how much I love you. And you know I’ll do everything I can to make you happy for the rest of our lives and forever.”
It was like Jamie’s tongue was stuck to the roof of her mouth, as if her filet mignon had been filled with sticky peanut butter. Here she was receiving a proposal from a wonderful man she loved— she was sure of it!— and yet she couldn’t utter a word.
Christopher leaned forward just a little and whispered, “Jamie? Honey? Please say something. Anything.”
She blinked and found her voice, raspy though it might be. “Christopher, I . . . I wasn’t expecting this.”
“I’ve proposed twice before on our anniversary.” His voice stayed low and gentle. “It can’t have come as a total surprise.”
Her face blazed hot. “I know, I know.” She would never— not even if she were tortured— ever admit she’d forgotten today was the anniversary of the day they’d met three years ago.
He looked into her eyes for a long moment, sighed and stood, shrugged to the others in the restaurant, placed the rose and ring box on the table in front of her, and took his seat.
The other diners drew a collective sigh of disappointment.
Christopher loved to create these romantic—and dramatic—moments. She supposed this theatrical quality of his came in handy as a successful attorney. Plus he was good-looking, kind, thoughtful, and sweet. He did all sorts of good things with his legal expertise, such as providing the homeless with free legal advice, and had even won awards from the state for his pro bono work.
She should jump at the chance to marry him. Any reasonable woman would. But she just couldn’t. She needed more time. She spoke softly, not wanting any of the other diners to overhear. “Christopher, I’m really sorry.”
He smiled sadly. “I went about this all wrong, didn’t I? What I should have done was put you up on stage and given you a microphone. You always do great in front of large audiences.”
As the waitress lifted the plates that had held Jamie’s delicious filet mignon and Christopher’s King Crab legs, she took a wistful glance at the ring, and left.
Christopher took a sip of his soft drink and set down the large metal mug carefully before sighing again. “I was hoping to have an answer before I leave for Micronesia. That way I would have these two moments intertwined in my memory forever—the week my beautiful Miss America said yes and I leave on a dream assignment with Senator McLane. It just couldn’t get any better than that.” He took a deep breath and his voice roughened with emotion. “Until the birth of our children, that is.”
Jamie wanted children. She really did. So why this flash of panic at his words? And why was that followed by a feeling of relief over his imminent departure? She tried to change the subject by saying, “I am so proud of you for getting assigned to this trip,” and tried to reassure herself that her relief was just because he was pressuring her. “Remind me what time your plane leaves.”
“Middle of the night. And you’re changing the subject.” His voice was still loving and warm, but there was a note of firmness he’d never used with her before. “Jamie, I would like the courtesy of an answer.”
Apparently, he was going to push this time. She nibbled on her bottom lip. Glass crashed in the back of the restaurant and she turned toward the sound, grateful for the distraction. Only when she turned back, she saw in Christopher’s light blue eyes that there would be no distractions tonight. “Can I have a few days to think about it?”
“We’re been dating for three years. Exclusively.” He sounded exasperated. “Would you please give me an idea of just how much more time you’re going to need?”
Tears stung her eyes and she blinked. She wished she knew. She wished she could marry Christopher that easily. Why couldn’t she? Maybe she should just walk through it. Maybe they could just get the whole thing over with. Tonight, even. Push through her cold-feet fear and get on with being married. “Maybe we could elope.”
“Elope?” He frowned. “What would your mother and father think? Their beautiful daughter just up and runs off someplace like—Where? Vegas?—and gets married in some cheap wedding chapel? Is that really what you want?”
“No. No. Of course not.”
“Because I expect a big fancy wedding. I want to be with you forever, Jamie.”
“Me, too. I just thought that perhaps you’re right. Of course, you’re right. I mean, what am I waiting for? I do love you, Christopher.”
There. She’d said it. She drew in a deep breath and sat very still while the words vibrated through her, like butterflies tickling the inside of her entire body.
He tilted his head and his eyes widened. “Really?”
“Of course I do. You’re a wonderful man. What’s not to love?”
His voice softened and a warm smile lit his face. “And you are, as always, the most ravishingly beautiful woman in the room.”
Jamie knew that was important to Christopher. Sometimes she wondered if he was more in love with the face than with the woman—but even as she had the thought, she realized it was ridiculous. Christopher wasn’t a shallow man. He loved her. She knew he did.
A couple seated at a table behind Christopher glanced her way. All the diners at the Old-English-themed restaurant were surreptitiously watching to see how the drama played out.
Their conversation, strained for a few moments, now returned to a more normal course. Good. Perhaps he’d let it go again and she’d have another year to get ready to say yes. Only next year she’d darn well remember the anniversary—September 14th—so he wouldn’t catch her by surprise again. After all, she knew it was coming. She’d just have to prepare for it. Next year, she would be ready.
After they finished their raspberry sherbets, Christopher looked at her seriously. “Sweetheart, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately.”
She nodded.
“I was hoping this year would be different. But, well, if you really don’t want to get married, I’d like to be set free right now. Because I am ready for a wife and children.” He paused, reaching for her hand. “I’m nearly thirty and I’m tired of waiting.”
She nibbled on her lower lip, not sure what to say.
He looked down, lifted her hand and kissed it, then pressed her palm to his cheek. When he gazed into her eyes again, she could feel the love emanating from him. “I love you, and I want you in my life, Jamie, but . . .” He paused and squeezed her hand, his brow wrinkling as if with worry. He drew in a deep breath, and said, “But if you don’t love me enough to marry me, please tell me right now.”
She blinked twice, shocked. Was he giving her an ultimatum? Because that’s what it sounded like. She would have gotten angry, except she realized she had no right to get mad at him. She’d kept him waiting for years now and that wasn’t fair to him. He was a good man. Loving. Patient. Caring. He’d make a wonderful husband and father. She couldn’t find anyone else who would be better for her than Christopher.
She’d just always thought true love would be more overwhelming, more full of pizzazz, more . . . sweep you off your feet and bells ringing and fireworks. But that wasn’t real life. At twenty-six years of age, she needed to finally plant her feet firmly on the ground and quit dreaming. She’d received both the Miss California and Miss America crowns. Maybe those fireworks-filled moments had ruined her for the more normal parts of life. But, fact of life: All moments weren’t going to be fireworks. Some moments were just plain housework, cooking, and boredom.
If Jamie didn’t say yes, she was going to lose Christopher. That was apparently another fact of life. She had put it off as long as she could. She’d taken a man with the patience of Job and pushed him to an ultimatum. If she didn’t say yes, she might lose him, and she didn’t want that. Of course she didn’t. She was going to have to deal with her panic attacks and get over her cold feet.
At six-foot-four and muscular from weight-lifting, Christopher was easy on the eyes. They’d probably have very cute kids.
Quit stalling! You can do this! She smiled at him. It always worked at presentations in front of large crowds.
“Yes.” The word came out shakier than she’d intended.
He raised one eyebrow. “Excuse me?”
“Yes.” She said it more firmly this time as she touched his hand. “Yes, Christopher, I will marry you.”
“Really?”
“Of course.”
He jumped up and drew her into a hug. When he slipped the ring onto her finger, the people at the surrounding tables clapped and whistled.
She could feel herself blush and she froze inside. She wasn’t prone to panic attacks, but butterflies began fluttering in her stomach.
A young guy in his twenties and a suit said, “Way to go, dude!”
The woman at the next table sniffled and wiped her eyes.
Tears glinted in Christopher’s eyes and his voice was full of emotion as he leaned forward to kiss her. “I do love you, Jamie. We’ll be very happy together. I promise.”
She smiled at him. “I love you, too.”
There. She’d said it twice. It must be true.