My Favorite Husband Read online

  My Favorite Husband

  Pam McCutcheon

  Contents

  Copyright

  Description

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Dear Reader Letter

  Other Romances by Pam McCutcheon

  About the Author

  Copyright © 2003 by Pam McCutcheon

  Parker Hayden Media, 5470 N. Carefree Circle, Suite 120-1, Colorado Springs, CO 80917

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or dead), events or locations is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.

  ISBN: 978-1-941528-11-2

  Cover art credits:

  Cover design: LB Hayden

  Graphic: Shutterstock 166462109 Alison141

  ISBN: 978-1-941528-11-2

  My Favorite Husband

  After five years of being lost in the Amazon, archaeologist Chaz Vincent has finally come home to his wife, Kelly, only to learn that she has had him declared dead. When he attends his own funeral, Chaz finds out that Kelly married another man just that morning. Now she has to choose between them. Who will be her favorite husband?

  “Over the top fun and humor make this a screwball classic!” — Jill M. Smith, Romantic Times

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  1

  It ought to be the happiest day of my life.

  It ought to be the saddest.

  It was both. It was neither. It was . . . confusing.

  Kelly Richmond Vincent, soon to be Kelly Richmond Vincent Preston, sighed as she stared out the window of the small anteroom at the chapel. She just wanted to get it over with.

  “What’s the sigh for?” Scott asked. “The wedding or the funeral?”

  Kelly gazed at her brother who lounged against the door, looking every inch the suave, careless player he pretended to be. She hesitated, not knowing how to answer. Finally, she said, “Yes.” The answer fit her mood and the situation.

  Scott grinned then dropped his pose to sling an arm around her shoulders. “What d’ya say we skip out on both and fly to the beach?”

  “What beach?”

  “Any beach. Doesn’t matter. We’ll just go, far away from this cold Colorado winter and all this . . . stuff.”

  God help her, for one brief moment, she actually considered it. It definitely appealed to her wild side. But years of being responsible, of doing the right thing, were too much to overcome. “I can’t. You know that.”

  Scott hugged her tighter. “Why not?”

  She leaned into the hug. “Because I’m the one getting married . . . and burying a husband.”

  He grinned. “Better not let anyone else hear you say it that way. It sounds sinister.”

  “You know what I mean.”

  “Yes, but why on earth did you schedule them on the same day?”

  “I didn’t. Spencer did.” She had organized the memorial service for her first husband, but her fiancé had made all the wedding arrangements, telling her all she had to do was show up and look beautiful. “It was the only time we could both get away from the office. The fact that they’re on the same day is just coincidence.”

  “A bad one—”

  He broke off and moved away from Kelly as their mother hurried into the room, beaming. Grace Richmond had no reservations. She adored Spencer and was eager to have him for a son-in-law.

  But she stopped dead when she saw her children’s faces. “What’s wrong?”

  Panic overwhelmed Kelly. Why am I doing this? It’s insane. She couldn’t handle it. “I-I’m not sure this is such a good idea.”

  A look of alarm crossed her mother’s patrician face. “Of course it is, dear. Why would you think otherwise?”

  “I don’t think I’m ready yet.” Not to marry again, not to say goodbye to Chaz forever, not to deal with this horrible day.

  “Nonsense,” her mother said bracingly. “All brides feel that way. You’ll get over it.”

  Odd, Kelly hadn’t felt that way at her first wedding. . . .

  Grace Richmond patted her daughter’s hand as if by doing so she could pound some sense into her. “You’ve promised Spencer you’ll marry him. You can’t back out now. He’s waiting for you at the altar, for heaven’s sake.”

  Kelly gazed down at her hand. She could sure use a hug right now, but other mothers hugged. Hers patted. “I know.” But she didn’t move.

  “It’s Charles, isn’t it?” her mother asked, her exasperation plain.

  Annoyance flashed through Kelly and she pulled her hand away. “Chaz, Mother. He goes by Chaz.” Or rather, went.

  “It’s been over five years since his plane went down in the Amazon,” her mother said, obviously confused as to where Kelly’s problem lay.

  “I know.” She’d spent the five years and all her savings searching for him. Fruitlessly. “It just feels like I’m betraying him.”

  Scott looked sympathetic, but her mother’s expression turned concerned. “You’re doing the right thing, dear. He couldn’t possibly be alive after all this time. And the judge declared him legally dead last week. There’s no impediment to your marriage.”

  Intellectually, Kelly knew that, but emotionally was another thing entirely. For five long years, she had never given up, never stopped hoping she’d find some trace of Chaz. How could she just . . . quit?

  “And you promised Spencer—”

  “I know, Mother.” She had promised, and Spencer had helped see her through the tough times, both personally and professionally. She owed it to him. See? her conscience chided. Mother was right. Spencer was a kind, thoughtful man. He would make a wonderful husband.

  And she really needed to start a new life, one without the constant worry she had lived with since Chaz had gone missing. He was dead. Everyone said so, even the law. She just needed to accept it so she could get on with her life.

  And Spencer would never let her down, never hurt her like Chaz had—he was far too considerate. She definitely needed some stability and consideration in her life, someone who put her needs above his own. Yes, marrying Spencer was the right thing to do.

  Her decision must have showed on her face, for her mother brightened. “You’ll do it, then?”

  “Yes. Just . . . give me a minute, okay?”

  “Of course, dear.”

  Grace Richmond hurried away and Scott raised an eyebrow as he handed her a glass of water. “You sure about this?”

  “Yes . . . no. I don’t know.” She gazed into the glass and shrugged helplessly. “I’m all mixed up.”

  “Good ol’ Spence isn’t helping either, is he?”

  He had been a bit insistent on their marrying as soon as possible, but . . . “He means well. He just wants what’s best for me.”

  “So long as it’s him,” Scott said dryly.

  There was some truth in that, but she couldn’t let it slide. “No, really. He’s been very good to me—and very patient. He
helped me get promoted, helped me search for Chaz, and—”

  “Helped you right into his waiting arms.”

  “That’s not fair, Scott. I’ve been faithful to Chaz the whole time.” And to Spencer’s credit, he had understood that, despite the fact that he had been pursuing her for at least four of those years her husband had been missing.

  “Oh, I see,” Scott said in an enlightened tone. “You’re just marrying this guy so you can finally get some.”

  Kelly choked on her water. Trust Scott to say the unexpected. She slugged him in the arm. “Hardly.” Though she did miss the sex she and Chaz had shared.

  “Then why?” Scott asked in a puzzled tone. “He’s nothing like Chaz.”

  Scott had always liked Chaz. Then again, Chaz had charmed everyone . . . except Mother, of course. “Because he’s nothing like Chaz. I don’t want another Indiana Jones wannabe as a husband, gallivanting all over the world and leaving me behind to wait and worry. I couldn’t go through that again, and Spencer won’t do that to me. He’s handsome, intelligent, sophisticated—”

  “Bland, boring, blah,” Scott finished for her. “How can you stand to be with him after Chaz?”

  Living with Chaz had always been an adventure . . . when he was home. But his search for elusive archeological finds led him to remote and dangerous parts of the world. “Life with Spencer will never be as exciting as it was with Chaz,” she conceded. “But that’s a good thing. He’s . . . comfortable. Safe. Reliable.” Everything Chaz was not. “And he thinks I’m exciting.”

  Scott hooted. “Well, that should tell you something right there.”

  She hit him again and grinned despite herself. “I’m not boring—I just appeared that way in comparison to Chaz.” Who wouldn’t? He was so vibrant and alive . . . . Or, at least he had been. It was still so difficult to think of him as dead.

  “That’s true,” Scott conceded. “You’ve changed so much since he disappeared. You managed to cast off the Grace Richmond finishing school look and become your own person. You look snazzy.”

  She grinned at him. “Thanks. A lot of that is due to Spencer, you know.” He’d taken her in hand to jazz up her image, make her look the part of a fashion magazine editor. She owed him a great deal.

  Scott sighed. “Well, if that’s what you want, I hope he makes you happy.”

  “Thank you,” Kelly said with tears in her eyes. “That really means a lot.”

  Scott gave her another hug but released her when their mother returned.

  Mother paused, obviously uncomfortable with their display of emotion. She handed Kelly a bouquet of red and white hothouse roses. “They’re ready for you now.”

  “All right, Mother. Let’s go.” Kelly rose and took Scott’s arm.

  Spencer Preston waited for her at the front of the small chapel, next to the minister. Tall, blond, elegant, and very classy, he was the epitome of the GQ man—and a credit to Pizzazz. He smiled at her and her doubts disappeared.

  This is right. This is what I need—a fresh start.

  But as her mother and Scott took their places as witnesses to each side of them, Kelly couldn’t help but compare this wedding to her first. At Chaz’s insistence, their wedding had been a big, splashy affair, not to mention a great deal of fun. She’d worn a frothy, expensive dress with miles and miles of train and had hundreds of guests. It was wonderful. She’d felt like a princess in a fairy tale wedding, and Chaz made a wonderful Prince Charming.

  Contrast that with the one this morning when she wore just a simple knee-length ivory dress with a touch of her signature red. There would be no levity in this wedding, and there were only the five of them—the minister, her mother, Scott, and the two of them plighting their troth.

  Whatever the heck that meant. Just what was a troth anyway, and how did you plight it?

  She shook her head at her irreverence and reminded herself to pay attention. Besides, she shouldn’t complain. Since she was so newly widowed—legally, anyway—a small ceremony was infinitely more suitable.

  The minister asked if she would take Spencer to be her lawfully wedded husband. She murmured the correct responses, then Spencer did the same, and she was officially Mrs. Spencer Preston.

  Okay, it’s done. I can’t back out now.

  There was relief in that thought. Now she could get on with her life.

  Spencer kissed her, then smiled. “Finally, Mrs. Preston.” Gathering her into a possessive embrace, he smiled while her mother took pictures, then they all went to lunch to celebrate.

  * * *

  Later, as they left the restaurant, Spencer gazed at her tenderly and asked, “Are you sure you want to do this next part?”

  How sweet of him to ask. She laid a hand against his cheek. “Yes, I’m sure. I need to get this behind me before I can start on our new life together.”

  He gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek. “I understand. Are you sure you want to do it alone?”

  “I’m sure.” It wouldn’t be right to show up at Chaz’s service with her beaming new husband in tow. Or her gloating mother. That’s why she’d asked Scott to make sure they didn’t come. “I’ll be fine. And I’ll meet you afterward . . . where?” She suddenly realized she had no idea where they were to spend their wedding night or their honeymoon. She had put so much time into the memorial service, she didn’t know what plans Spencer had made.

  “I’ll have a limo pick you up afterward,” he whispered. “We’re staying at the Pourtales in Colorado Springs. Since Candace has only given us a week off, I thought we’d spend the whole time there.”

  She raised one eyebrow and smiled. “Impressive.” A luxurious five-star hotel and no jet lag to worry about since the hotel was only about an hour’s drive away. It certainly sounded good. And it was nice of their mutual employer, Candace Everett, to give them time off from their jobs at Pizzazz magazine on such short notice. Especially since they were right in the middle of the search for a new Pizzazz Girl . . . and it was rather obvious that Candace had had her eye on Spencer for herself. “Sounds wonderful. I’ll meet you there.”

  After they left, Kelly put on a navy duster that completely concealed her light dress and drove across Denver to another chapel at a funeral parlor. She was cutting the time a little fine, but she had arranged everything in advance so she wasn’t worried.

  Until she got there.

  Prominently displayed at the front of the chapel was a beautiful polished mahogany casket with a huge spray of flowers covering the top. She pulled the funeral director, Mr. Throckmorton, aside and pointed at it accusingly. “What is that?” she demanded.

  The tall, gaunt man gave her a puzzled look. “It’s a casket.”

  “I can see that,” she snapped. “Why is it here?” This was just supposed to be a memorial service. Chaz’s body had never been found, so she couldn’t imagine what—or who—was inside.

  He looked disapproving. “In these cases, we’ve found it helps those left behind to have a focus for their grief. A physical object to concentrate on.”

  “Well, I don’t want it,” Kelly said. It was just too . . . creepy. “Get it out of here.”

  His expression turned mournful. “Your guests have already begun to arrive. If I take it away now, how will it look?” He gestured toward the chapel, inviting her to look. “See how comforting they find it?”

  She glanced into the chapel and groaned. He was right. People were clustered in small groups in the pews, whispering and sniffling as they cast sad glances at the coffin.

  Rent-a-body. God, how ghoulish. “Well, I didn’t ask for it and I’m not going to pay for it.”

  “The sisters of the dearly departed requested it,” Throckmorton informed her. “They have already arranged payment.”

  It figured. They had always butted in where they weren’t wanted. Irreverently, Kelly wondered how the occupant of the casket—or rather, his loved ones—felt about it. “Well, can you at least tell me who’s in it?” At his pained expression, she added
, “Never mind. I don’t want to know.”

  She had just wanted to say goodbye to Chaz with a minimum of fuss and bother, but the memorial service was going awry already and it hadn’t even started yet. Her jaw clenched, Kelly stalked toward the front pew, looking neither right nor left, determined not to make eye contact. She didn’t want to talk to anyone. Not about Chaz, not about anything. She had planned this as her own goodbye to him, and she didn’t want to share it with anyone else.

  She seated herself and stared determinedly ahead—anywhere but at the stupid casket. She wanted to grieve for Chaz, but all she could do was wonder who was inside that mahogany creation. Some starched-up businessman? Someone’s grandmother? Elvis?

  She stifled a grin. That last thought was a classic Chaz reaction . . . and he was probably looking down and laughing hysterically right now. Trust him to have a great time even at his own funeral.

  Damn, she missed him. Missed his laughing blue eyes, his extravagant gestures, his joy of life. Why did you have to leave me? she cried inside.

  Immediately, she tamped down the thought. She was here to get closure so she could move on to a new life, not open five-year-old wounds. She heard a stir come from the front of the chapel and raised her eyes gratefully. The service ought to help.

  She listened politely as his family minister said a few words, then asked Chaz’s sisters and cousins each to speak. Chaz’s sisters expounded on his loving attitude and his cousins on his adventurous and charming ways. Kelly tried to take their sentiments in the spirit they were intended, but couldn’t help but remember how his family had complained about his careless familial attitude and how uncharming they had found his adventurous ways.

  The last cousin had just started speaking when Kelly felt someone sit down next to her. It was Scott, with a concerned expression on his face.

  “Kell, I have to tell you something,” he whispered.

  “Shh.” This was not the time. Chaz’s family didn’t care much for her and she didn’t want to give them any reason to criticize her deportment at Chaz’s memorial service.