"Y ou tricked me," Alyssa said. ou tricked me," Alyssa said.

She looked at herself in the full-length mirror before turning around and giving Casey an all-accusing look.

Casey laughed. "I did not. I just know my brother and figured he would get around to popping the question sooner or later. I just thought you should be prepared when he did. Like I said, he's slow. And since we were going shopping that day, I figured you might as well purchase a second dress just in case."

Alyssa shook her head. She had tried on several outfits for the ball and Casey had convinced her to buy the two she liked the best instead of just one. Now it seemed the second outfit, a beautiful off-white tea-length gown, would be the one she would marry Clint in. She had to admit that it was simply perfect.

"You look beautiful, Alyssa," Aunt Claudine said from across the room.

"Thanks, Aunt Claudine," Alyssa said lovingly to her aunt.

Her aunt's arrival had been another surprise the Westmorelands had sprung on her. They had contacted Claudine the night before and made arrangements for the older woman to fly in for today's festivities.

Alyssa still couldn't believe what the Westmorelands had accomplished in a single night. When she had been in her bedroom wondering how they felt about her after that embarra.s.sing fiasco with Kim and Kevin, they'd huddled together somewhere with Clint and planned the ceremony for today. They were determined to make her one of them. And in her heart, she knew her marriage today would be more than just a renewing of her and Clint's vows. The marriage ceremony would affirm her love for Clint, but it would also proclaim her membership in the Westmoreland clan.

Tara Westmoreland glanced at her watch. "It's about time for you to make an entrance," she said, smiling. "The last thing you want to do is to keep a Westmoreland man waiting on his wedding day."

Alyssa smiled as she glanced around at all the women in the room. Westmoreland women, all of them, except for her aunt. "Thanks for everything. I already feel blessed having all of you in my life," Alyssa said. She had a feeling they knew what she meant.

"There're a few more where we came from," Sh.e.l.ly Westmoreland spoke up. "And they're all dying to meet you and send their love and regrets that they can't be here. We plan to have a reception on Corey's Mountain. With the exception of Delaney and Casey, we ladies became Westmorelands through marriage. What we discovered is a sisterhood that's very special and we welcome you with love."

Tears filled Alyssa's eyes. She was finally getting a family who would love her as much as she loved them.

Thirty minutes later, Alyssa was walking across the span of the room to where Clint, dressed in a dark suit, was standing beside his brother and father. She had asked Chester to give her away and he had truly seemed honored to do so. Casey was her matron of honor.

When she reached Clint, he smiled as he took her hand in his. She smiled back and together they faced the minister. Alyssa knew this was a new beginning for her and she would have a lot to tell her grandkids one day about how she was able to tame the wild and elusive heart of Clint Westmoreland.

Books by Brenda Jackson

Kimani Romance

*Solid Soul

*Night Heat

*Beyond Temptation

*Risky Pleasures

In Bed with the Boss

*Irresistible Forces

Just Deserts

The Object of His Protection

Temperatures Rising

*Intimate Seduction

Bachelor Untamed

*Hidden Pleasures

Star of His Heart

Bachelor Unleashed