The Matchmaker Bride

by Ginny Baird

  Derrick swallowed hard because he could tell this wasn’t just TV talk.

  She was speaking the truth.

  “The more I got to know Derrick, the more I understood that he’s not just witty and handsome. He’s smart, tender, and caring…” She sighed. “Really, everything a girl could want. No wonder his ex, Olivia, wanted him back! And I could see why he wanted her, because, well…she’s perfect.

  “So. After the media thing got out of hand, Derrick and I cut a deal whereby he’d play along as my boyfriend to help me save face, and I’d help him win Olivia back, so he’d have something to gain.” She gave a tearful chuckle. “I suppose you can guess who got the raw end of that deal? I never got the business contracts I’d hoped for, and Derrick got Olivia. But that, friends, is what fate had in store. I’ll share more when we return.”

  Beth entered the Green Room, breaking Derrick’s television trance. “It’s time!”

  “What?” He anxiously got to his feet. “Now?”

  “It’s now or never,” she said with a grin.

  Beth led him across the studio lot and to another building. A short time later, Derrick stood off stage in a corner where Meredith couldn’t see him. She was seated up ahead with her gaze on the camera. He drew in an unsteady breath. How official and amazing she looked. Also, a little intimidating if he was honest. She commanded the whole stage. This was her kingdom, her territory, and she was the reigning princess.

  “So that’s the way it happened, folks. The ‘Unmatched Matchmaker’ fell for the guy she was fixing up. Oh yeah.” She grimaced. “Hook. Line. And sinker. Until Olivia understandably fell for him, too, and I knew I had to step aside. It was the right thing for me to do. In the face of true love.”

  She dabbed at the corners of her reddened eyes and it looked like she was really crying.

  A cameraman sent her a signal and Meredith gave a barely perceptible nod.

  “So, Derrick,” she said, “wherever you are and if you’re watching, I did this for you. Not because I wanted to, and not because it didn’t break my heart. But because I wanted what’s best for you, because that’s the kind of person you are. You do kind things for others, and I wanted to be that way, too.”

  She gave the camera a shaky smile and he felt it in his soul. “You’re a good man, Derrick. No, a great man. I didn’t know that at first. But, little by little, you revealed yourself to me, and then suddenly it hit me.” Her chin wobbled. “I’d fallen in love with you.”

  His mouth dropped open, but then happiness coursed through him. She loves me, yes!

  Then a lightning bolt of terror, too. What was he thinking—about to go on television? In front of cameras? Being recorded? What if he choked? Or worse, tripped? Now he knew why they called it stage fright. This was terrifying. But Meredith loved him and he loved her. So, so desperately. His heart pounded in his throat as Beth nudged him forward, into the lights and Meredith’s view.

  She jumped on the couch, startled. “Derrick?” she asked, growing pale.

  “Keep rolling!” the producer shouted.

  “What—” Meredith asked, dazed. “What are you doing here?”

  Derrick froze in place, petrified by the blinding studio lights. His pulse thumped and his neck burned hot. Sweat broke out at his hairline. But he loved Meredith more. She was worth it. Worth anything. Worth everything.

  He edged toward her, carrying his flowers and squinting against the bright lights. “I couldn’t wait. Had to see you.” He handed her the roses and she took them, gaping up at him.

  “Meredith Galanes,” he told her in front of her studio crew and however many viewers he was pointedly not thinking about, “I came here to tell you that your time in Blue Hill wasn’t a mistake, and if it was a mistake then it’s the best one you’ve ever made. Because when you showed up on my doorstep with that pot roast, I didn’t know what hit me. Then I remembered how I felt every time I saw you last summer, and I realized this wasn’t anything new. This deep attraction I feel for you.”

  Her eyebrows knitted together and those tears kept on coming. “But what—”

  “Each time I saw you,” he continued, “it was like this red-hot arrow pierced straight through my heart. Only, I didn’t understand what was happening.” He gave a hoarse laugh. “Hey, I’m a guy and only human.

  “The truth of the matter is,” he said, stepping closer, “I think I’ve always loved you, right from the very beginning when you berated me for crashing into your car, when it was really you who—”

  She narrowed her watery eyes. “Oh no it wasn’t.”

  “Oh yeah it was.”

  “No way,” she said, but she was grinning.

  Derrick plowed ahead, undaunted. “My point is, sweetheart,” he said and she blushed, “I think you and I were precisely made for each other. I’ve never met any other woman like you. I wasted so many years believing my future might be in my past, but I’d really been waiting—my heart had been waiting—for the right woman to come along.” He stared deeply into her eyes. “I was waiting for you. I want us to be together. Twenty-four-seven. And not as enemies or friends, or even just as lovers. I’m talking, as husband and wife.”

  “But, but…what about Olivia?”

  “History.”

  “Oh no.”

  “Oh yeah.” He grinned. “And it was her idea. Both of ours, truthfully. Because we talked it out and realized we were never meant to be together. Not the first time, or the second time, either. But you and me? I’m hoping…” He dropped down on one knee in front of where she sat on the sofa and the set crew gasped. “Meredith Galanes, I’m done with pretending to be engaged, and finished with acting like I don’t care about you. Because I do care. I care more than you know.

  “I’m crazy about you. You’re warm and wonderful and funny and gorgeous.” His voice grew husky. “Man, are you gorgeous—in every single way that I can think of.” He swallowed hard. “What I’m trying to say is, I love you and don’t want to live in Blue Hill without you.”

  He took the ring box from his pocket and her eyes went wide seeing the shimmering solitaire situated inside it. “I know your life is here and mine’s in Maine, but I’m willing to work things out if you are. Because, my dear, sweet woman, there’s no other person I want with me walking through life—whether it’s down the country lanes of Blue Hill or the city sidewalks of Boston. As long as we’re together, I’ll be a happy man.” He leaned toward her and whispered, “I’ll even build you a cradle—or two.”

  “Oh, Derrick.” She burst into joyful tears. “I’ll probably need more shoe racks, too.”

  He grinned. “How many?”

  She beamed up at him. “Maybe a dozen?”

  He laughed out loud, his heart so light. “I’ll build you any little thing you want.”

  He popped the ring out of the box and she grabbed it, shoving it onto her finger.

  “Whoa. Eager, much?” He grinned in utter joy. “Does that mean yes?”

  “Are you kidding?” She laughed, standing and pulling him to his feet. “You know it does!”

  At that exact moment, he noticed her blue tennis shoes. “You’re wearing them?”

  She sweetly cocked her head. “They’re my favorite pair.”

  “Oh yeah, why’s that?”

  She smiled through her tears. “Because I got them from you.”

  Her dark eyes sparkled and his heart floated up into the stage lights. This was the moment he’d waited for his entire life. A gazillion viewers be damned.

  He took her in his arms and kissed her then with a deep and fiery passion.

  And she gave as good as she got.

  “That’s a wrap!” a voice in the background said.

  Then the room broke out in applause.

  Epilogue

  It was a gorgeous summer day in Blue Hill, Maine, with puffy white cl
ouds hanging over the bay. A large wedding tent had been erected on the Albrights’ back lawn facing the water. There was a prettily decorated wedding altar there, too, and the folding chairs were filled with family and friends dressed in their finest.

  Meredith admired Derrick standing between the minister and Brent, who was serving as his best man. If she believed he’d looked dynamite in a tux two summers ago, that memory didn’t hold a candle to his gorgeousness now.

  They’d spent the past year navigating their engagement while working out the details of a two-career couple living in separate cities. Although they were never apart for very long. She arranged her taping schedule to maximize her short stays in Boston and Derrick joined her there as much as he could.

  He’d adjusted his schedule so he’d be mostly handling admin stuff during her tapings, and he’d even taught a few classes online. On top of that, Derrick was writing a boatbuilding book and Meredith had gotten both her syndication and her streaming deals. Derrick’s on-air proposal had gone viral, and Matched Up’s ratings shot through the roof.

  Meredith smiled at the happy faces in the crowd, so pleased that all of her and Derrick’s loved ones had been able to make it. He’d been so great about everything, and had even flown down to Miami with her, soon after publicly popping the question, to formally ask her parents for her hand. That won him major points. Once he’d wore them down—and assured them he had only the very best intentions for their daughter—they’d fallen in love with him.

  Meredith absorbed the stellar view, thinking there was truly no better place on earth to be married than here. When Derrick had gently floated the idea, she’d pounced on it. She and Derrick had chosen a classical Spanish guitarist to play during the ceremony, and the musician’s joyful tunes filled the air. Beautiful flowers were everywhere, including in her stunning bouquet, which Grandmother Margaret had helped her select.

  Meredith had asked her Titi Clarita to be her maid of honor. It was a little unconventional having her aunt fill the role, but the pretty bridesmaid shoes certainly fit her fun and flirty aunt, who’d recently begun a little romance of her own with one of Derrick’s more mature boat school instructors.

  Titi Clarita leaned toward her. “You’re a beautiful bride.”

  “You really are,” Jackie whispered from her other side. “I never thought I’d see the day.” She sighed, appearing misty-eyed. “Me being back in Blue Hill.” Jackie was still dating the same guy from last summer, and Sally had a new boyfriend, too. Love was breaking out all over it seemed, and Meredith’s heart felt happy and light.

  She patted Jackie’s arm. “Maybe it’s time for everyone to lay old hurts to rest.”

  Jackie met her eyes and smiled. “Thank you for inviting me.”

  “We’re all family now,” Titi Clarita told her warmly.

  The wedding coordinator, Eleanor Bell, tapped Clarita’s shoulder. “Maid of honor,” she said. “You’re up next.”

  Apart from the honorary positions, Derrick and Meredith had decided to forgo having attendants. If little Julia had been a few years older, though, they might have wanted her as their flower girl.

  The precious toddler sat on William’s lap, who was seated next to Sofia. Olivia sat beside them, happy to be attending the wedding without a date. She’d started a state-wide animal rescue based in Belfast and had already helped so many needy animals find their forever homes.

  The Albright family sat up front on one side of the aisle and Meredith’s large extended crew sat on the other. While Titi Clarita didn’t have children, Meredith’s dad’s four siblings did and many of the Puerto Rican cousins had arrived for the festivities. Meredith hoped the Albright clan would be up for a merengue or two. Knowing the Albrights, she suspected they’d be game.

  “Meredith,” Eleanor said. “It’s your turn.”

  She grinned, because yeah, it finally was.

  Derrick caught her eye and his blue gaze twinkled.

  He was as ready as she was to get this done, and she couldn’t wait.

  So she walked down the aisle with a full heart to meet her perfect match.

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  About the Author

  New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Ginny Baird writes sweet contemporary romance with a dash of humor and a whole lot of heart. She’s published more than thirty-five novels and novellas, both with traditional presses and independently, and is a Top 10 Best Seller on Kindle, iBooks, and NOOK. Ginny, who is of Puerto Rican heritage, often incorporates Latinx culture in her work. She has titles with Entangled Publishing and Hallmark Publishing, with other exciting projects in the works.

  ginnybairdromance.com

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