He nodded. “There’s no waiting period for a marriage license in this state, so that’s not an issue. You don’t really want a big, formal affair, do you? The wedding you described to your aunt, just us and an officiate—and Daryn, of course—well, that sounded perfect to me.”
“To me, too,” she agreed. “But, um, Monday?”
He chuckled. “Okay, maybe next month. Whenever you’re ready. Take time to think about it.” His hands had begun to roam, making it difficult for her to think about anything coherently.
Monday, she thought, arching reflexively when he lowered his mouth to her breasts. The day after tomorrow. She was definitely going to think about that. Later.
Much later, she decided when his legs wrapped around hers.
She would bet Tate would find a way to talk her into it.
* * * * *
The Anniversary Party
Dear Reader,
I am a big believer in celebrating milestones, and for Special Edition, this is a big one! Thirty years…it hardly seems possible, and yet April 1982 was indeed, yep, thirty years ago! When I walked into the Harlequin offices (only twenty years ago, but still), the first books I worked on were Special Edition. I loved the line instantly—for its breadth and its depth, and for its fabulous array of authors, some of whom I’ve been privileged to work with for twenty years, and some of whom are newer, but no less treasured, friends.
When it came time to plan our thirtieth anniversary celebration, we wanted to give our readers something from the heart—not to mention something from our very beloved April 2012 lineup. So many thanks to RaeAnne Thayne, Christine Rimmer, Susan Crosby, Christyne Butler, Gina Wilkins and Cindy Kirk for their contributions to The Anniversary Party. The Morgans, Diana and Frank, are celebrating their thirtieth anniversary along with us. Like us, they’ve had a great thirty years, and they’re looking forward to many more. Like us, though there may be some obstacles along the way, they’re getting their happily ever after.
Which is what we wish you, Dear Reader. Thanks for coming along for the first thirty years of Special Edition—we hope you’ll be with us for many more!
We hope you enjoy The Anniversary Party.
Here’s to the next thirty!
All the best,
Gail Chasan
Senior Editor, Special Edition
Contents
Chapter One by RaeAnne Thayne
Chapter Two by Christine Rimmer
Chapter Three by Susan Crosby
Chapter Four by Christyne Butler
Chapter Five by Gina Wilkins
Chapter Six by Cindy Kirk
Chapter One
by RaeAnne Thayne
With the basket of crusty bread sticks she had baked that afternoon in one arm and a mixed salad—insalata mista, as the Italians would say—in the other, Melissa Morgan walked into her sister’s house and her jaw dropped.
“Oh,
my word, Ab! This looks incredible! When did you start decorating? A month ago?”
Predictably, Abby looked a little wild-eyed. Her sister was one of those type A personalities who always sought perfection, whether that was excelling in her college studies, where she’d emerged with a summa cum laude, or decorating for their parents’ surprise thirtieth anniversary celebration.