Chapter Three
Twenty-one days before the wedding.
“I’m so happy for you, Daniella,” Gabe spoke into his cellphone, looking around the lobby in front of him with some annoyance as he tried to recognize any available woman who might fit the now urgent role of wife. He and his brothers were attending yet another one of the fundraising galas which were necessary as part of the hospital operating budget. Only this time, they had more on their mind than collecting pledges. “I wish you and your husband the best.”
Ignoring what Daniella might have replied, Gabe ended the call, putting his phone away. It had been a week since his dad’s ludicrous announcement that the brothers needed to marry. Seven days full of fruitless phone calls and chasing down old girlfriends who appeared to have found their soulmates since Gabe and they had parted ways. His list of names for a potential wife was thin.
“Any luck?” inquired Marshall as he came to stand beside Gabe, surveying the crowd.
“Unless you count Mrs. Edison who is looking for husband number five, it seems like everyone has suddenly become engaged or is exclusively dating,” Gabe’s frown deepened.
“You can’t be serious about marrying the black widow,” Marshall gave Gabe a sharp look.
“What about Selena Upsteen?” asked Gabe. He had no intentions of going near Mrs. Edison who was rumored to have put her previous husbands in the grave. The idea was to live long enough to inherit his share of the company and enjoy his wealth.
“She’s in Australia with her new boyfriend,” Marshall supplied the answer. “Donna Henderson?”
“Six week long rehab. Hopefully it works this time,” Gabe racked his brain, trying to remember anyone else who might be on the list. “Connie Granger?”
“Hmmn….” Marshall pulled a face.
“Twenty-one days,” Gabe dryly reminded him. “It’s not like we can be picky.”
“Connie’s getting her stomach stapled tomorrow so she is unavailable. Besides, I heard Earle Milton might have thoughts in that direction if Connie’s mother can convince Betty Milton,” Parker joined them, handing each of them a drink. “A toast gentlemen. I have solved the bride problem.”
“So easily?” Marshall accepted the drink. “What is your solution?”
Parker grinned. “A matchmaking service.”
“Excuse me?” Gabe wondered if he had heard correctly.
“I went to a matchmaking service. Overseas bride. She’s desperate to get into the country, I’m desperate to get married so I can keep being a ‘beach bum’ as Dad would put it,” Parker’s eyes had a hard glint even as he smiled resolutely. “They took all sorts of information from me and have assured me they are going to match me with the perfect woman who will happily stay married to me for five years or more, bearing at least one child in the appropriate time frame. Voilà, problem solved. It is amazing what money can buy.”
“You can’t just buy a wife,” sputtered Marshall.
“Apparently I did,” Parker raised his tumbler in a mock toast before taking a sip. “She arrives four days before the wedding.”
“The wedding,” echoed Gabe faintly, slightly nauseous at the thought.
“Didn’t you hear?” Parker chuckled without any amusement. “Dad and Mom have rented a venue. They’ve got the catering, flowers, decorations, small orchestra, preacher and whatnot all ready to go. Mom was finishing the invites today. All we need to do is show up with our ladies for a triple wedding.”
Marshall downed his whiskey.
Gabe eyed the amber liquid in his tumbler before handing it to Marshall. “I think I need to be sober.”
“Do you even know her name? Your bride-to-be?” wondered Marshall.
“Nope,” Parker shrugged nonchalantly. “It’s a surprise.”
Gabe drew in a sharp breath. Part of him wanted to protest his brother’s choice. Part of him knew they were down to a deadline and Parker was man enough to know what he was doing. “This is crazy.”
“Agreed. However, we are stuck in crazy town until we have met the terms of Dad’s will,” Parker nursed his whiskey. “If either of you want, I can give you the matchmaker’s number.”
“Marry a stranger?” Gabe shook his head. “I don’t think so.”
“What about Britney Crawford?” suddenly asked Marshall.
“What about her?” Gabe’s voice took a dangerous tone.
