A Match for Meghan (Heartsong Presents)

by Kimberly Rose Johnson

  Curious,

  Meghan.

  P.S. Maybe you’ll feel comfortable sharing your real name sometime soon.

  * * *

  Ben had settled into his old leather couch with his laptop, determined to set things straight with Meghan. Well, that had been the plan until he’d read her note. If he came clean now and revealed he was Animal-Magnet, she’d never turn to God. He had to keep the ruse alive at least for a while.

  He should tell her. But that would not get Meghan into church.

  What mattered was sharing his faith with her. She was seeking, and she’d reached out to him. He checked out the meaning of her name on Google—something he often did simply out of curiosity.

  Meghan, you have a beautiful name. Your mother must have loved you very much. Did you know your name is Welsh and means pearl, strong and capable? My mom told me she chose my name because I was a gift from the Lord.

  I don’t mind your “nosy” questions. I attend a local church in my hometown that teaches from the Bible. I won’t claim to be perfect because I’m far from it, but I try to do what pleases the Lord. And, I don’t date non-Christians—at least, that’s my goal. I think it’s important we have the same beliefs if anything is to come of our relationship.

  He typed a little more, including a few scripture verses he thought might help her in her search for Christ, then pressed Send. Hopefully, she’d continue to reply. When he had started this, he had never dreamed he’d be witnessing to her via Animal-Magnet.

  A few minutes later, a new email popped in from Meghan.

  I doubt my mother had a clue what my name meant when she named me—she did not love me. Thanks for the verses, but I changed my mind—I don’t want to talk about church or God.

  Good night.

  His gut clenched at Meghan’s proclamation. To feel unloved must be the worst emotion in the world—especially if it were her mother who didn’t love her. He took for granted how fortunate he was to have two loving parents.

  What could he write that would make her feel better? He set the computer aside. Since she’d cut him off from witnessing to her, sharing about God’s love wouldn’t work. Talk about making a colossal blunder! One way or another, he’d get through to Meghan, but not tonight.

  Ben rubbed the back of his neck. “Lord, I could use a little help. I’ve messed things up and I don’t know what to do.” In real life, Meghan had made it clear their conversations would be limited to hello and goodbye, so trying to help her as himself would not work. At least she was still open to getting to know Animal-Magnet.

  Too bad he couldn’t ask his mom for advice, but she would never understand about his online dating persona Then again, he didn’t have to reveal that part—no. It was bad enough he was deceiving Meghan. His phone rang and he grabbed it. “Ben speaking.”

  “Hello, son.”

  “Dad? You never call. Is everything okay?”

  “That’s why I’m calling. You’re mom is worried about you.”

  “Why?”

  “Something about you and some woman. You stopped by last night and she’s done nothing but borrow trouble since.”

  “You want me to talk to her?”

  “No! She’d have my hide if she knew I called. I’m out in the barn where she can’t hear me. You sure you’re okay, son? It’s not like your mom to worry like this. She’s got me concerned about you.”

  He should tell Dad. He might think the Animal-Magnet thing was funny.

  “Well...” Then again he might not.

  “Well, what? Just spit it out. Do your mom and I have reason to worry?”

  “Of course not. I’m not seeing anyone.”

  “Okay, but I can hear in your voice something’s up. If it’s not about a woman, then what’s the problem?”

  “It’s nothing I can’t handle, Dad. Tell Mom to stop worrying. I’m a grown man.”

  “Even grown men face trouble from time to time. We’re praying for you. If you ever feel like talking...”

  “Thanks, Dad. Love you.”

  “Love you, too. Bye.”

  Ben laid the phone beside him. That conversation had to be the oddest thing that had ever happened. It was definitely a first for his dad. The phone rang again. He snatched it up. “Dad, seriously I’m fine.”

  “Glad to hear it.”

  “Mitch?”

  His friend’s chuckle sounded through the line. “Yep.”

  Ben shook off his embarrassment. “What’s up?”

  “Maybe I should ask you the same. Everything okay?”

  “I’m beginning to wonder.” There was the issue with Meghan, but other than that, life was moving along fine. It wasn’t like people to call and check up on him. “I’m sure you didn’t call to see if I’m fine.”

  “You’ve been on my mind, and I thought I’d see how things are going.”

  “Fi—”

  “Fine. I know. We’re having a bunch of friends over a week from this Saturday night for a barbecue. Consider yourself invited, and feel free to bring someone along.”

  “Thanks. It’ll probably just be me.”

  “The offer stands.” Mitch filled him in on the time and what to bring then hung up.

  Ben stared at the phone. What was the deal with the sudden concern for him? Odd.

  He made a note in his smartphone’s calendar so he wouldn’t forget the barbecue.

  Ben sighed. Was it wrong to want to help Meghan see that she was lovable? He couldn’t accept that she saw herself in the opposite way. She needed to understand there was nothing wrong with her, and if he had to remain Animal-Magnet for a bit longer for her to understand that, then he would. Maybe she’d eventually reopen the discussion of God. He wanted so much for her to give Him a chance.

  Then they would have a chance.

  He stilled.

  His feelings had progressed further than he’d realized. A knot formed in his stomach. What was he going to do? It wasn’t like she was interested in him as himself. No, she was attracted to the mystique of Animal-Magnet. What had he done?

  Chapter 14

  Meghan hummed to herself as she placed cans of dog food on the shelf beside smaller cans of cat food. It was Saturday, and she liked having the clinic to herself. It was one of the few places she could be completely alone with her thoughts without interruption.

  Animal-Magnet had kept her up late last night. She’d decided to give him another chance. It wasn’t his fault he’d touched a nerve by bringing up her mother. He had no way of knowing that thinking about her mother made Meghan feel worthless. She slammed a can down a bit too hard and jumped at the sound. “Calm down, Meghan.” She shook off the thoughts.

  With a box cutter, she sliced into the next and final carton. They’d been out of canned food for a few days because their order had been lost and they’d had to reorder. When she’d told Animal-Magnet about it, he’d been sympathetic.

  Too bad the guy was so shy. She’d love to meet him face-to-face. It made her wonder if there was something wrong with him since he wouldn’t send a clear picture of himself. She’d like to meet him in person. Then again, maybe it was too soon. They’d only “met” a couple of weeks ago. Time had flown since then, and she looked forward to their nightly conversations. He’d been teaching her a lot about the Lord, as he referred to the Big Guy. All those things she’d heard as a teen were finally making sense.

  The Gideon Bible that sat in the clinic’s waiting room was going home with her today. Sure she could read the book online, but she preferred the feel and smell of actual books. She was determined to look up and read the verses Animal-Magnet had sent her.

  She sighed contentedly and placed the final can on the shelf. As she grabbed the empty boxes, she noticed a figure slink around the corner of the waiting room and into the h
all. She stifled a scream. Looking around for a weapon, she grabbed the only thing that looked like it could cause harm—the fire extinguisher.

  Her heart nearly pounded out of her chest as she raised the extinguisher above her head and tiptoed after the silent intruder. The bulky form fumbled with the doorknob to Ben’s office. He was too tall to hit over the head and knock out. She changed tactics and held the nozzle out—if the man tried anything, she’d blast him in the face with whatever was in the extinguisher.

  “Don’t move!”

  The man whirled around. “Meghan, what are you doing?”

  “Dr. Young! I nearly took you out with this.” She set the weapon aside and crossed her arms. “What are you doing here on a Saturday?”

  “I forgot my Sunday school lesson notes I made during lunch yesterday.”

  “Oh.”

  “I’m sorry for disturbing you. I heard you in the storeroom and thought I could slip in and out without you noticing.”

  She frowned. “Why would you do that?”

  Ben flipped on the hall light. “Better. A little light makes all the difference.”

  “You’re avoiding my question.” But he was right. If the lights had been on, she would’ve known immediately it was him. His outline in the dark had been hard to decipher especially since he was dressed in workout clothes and not the scrubs or lab coat she was accustomed to seeing him in.

  “Look, Meghan, I don’t want any trouble.”

  Meghan’s lips formed an O. “Neither do I.” Why would he suggest she would cause trouble? She’d always been an excellent employee, aside from her recent matchmaking. “What’s going on? I thought we had a truce.”

  “We did...we do, but still, you’ve been...frosty toward me. I don’t want a sexual harassment lawsuit.”

  She gasped. “I’m not suing anyone, especially you.” Her stomach knotted at the idea. Had she really been so awful toward him? Sure, she was impulsive, and had embarrassed him a time or two, but how did he jump from that to a lawsuit? She snatched up the fire extinguisher to put it away. Wait until she told Animal-Magnet about this. He’d have a good laugh. She hoped he’d think it was funny because it would make her feel a lot better about the situation if he did.

  “I’m glad to hear that, Meghan.” Ben’s face reddened. “Thank you.” He spun around and walked down the hallway.

  She returned to the storeroom to break down the shipping boxes. Her pulse finally began to feel normal as she tossed the boxes into the recycle bin behind the building. A couple of minutes later, she passed by Dr. Young’s office, noticing the closed door. No light shined underneath. He’d come and gone like he’d said. She ought to be happy about it, but regret mixed with sadness.

  Regret that they couldn’t be friends because of her actions and sadness because she thought he was a pretty great guy. She’d blown it big time with him. It was a good thing she had Animal-Magnet. He reminded her of Dr. Young in many ways, but without the drama. Maybe that’s why she liked Animal-Magnet so much. She slipped the Bible from the waiting room into her purse and headed out. Dr. Young’s truck still sat in the parking lot—odd. With a frown, she locked the clinic’s front door.

  She considered going home, but with Cassie on a cleaning kick, it wasn’t a good idea. Cassie liked to clean alone. Her roommate had actually told her to stay away for the entire day! Apparently, cleaning was therapeutic. No matter, she had no desire to go home. Maybe she’d grab a hot drink and wander down to the river. On a Saturday, the village was filled with tourists, but she could probably find a quiet spot to sit and begin reading the Bible passages Animal-Magnet had recommended.

  She pulled into the Starbucks parking lot, whipped into the only remaining spot then went inside. The line snaked to just inside the door. If she didn’t like their Chai Tea Latte so much, she’d skip it and grab a cup someplace else. Thankfully, the line moved fast. She ordered an extra-hot Venti Chai, waited for it to be made then wandered down the street to the A Book For All Seasons store. She should buy her own Bible rather than keep borrowing the one from the clinic.

  Meghan meandered through the nonfiction section until she came to the Bibles. A two-toned leather bound cover appealed to her. She thumbed through the pages and decided that was the one. She paid at the counter and took the street-side exit.

  Meghan thought about her car parked a couple of blocks away. She’d leave it. There was no sense trying to find parking down by the river. The walk would be nice even with so many people in the village.

  She breathed in the clean mountain air and grinned. Animal-Magnet would be pleased. With a light step, she crossed the road and made her way along a side street past several small businesses. The windows invited her to browse, but she was on a mission. She turned right and headed down the steep sidewalk to Waterfront Park.

  A large spa hotel loomed on her left as the trees to the park came into view. She strolled into the park, but instead of going down to the river, she veered left toward one of the many benches lining the side of the path. She sat on the bench farthest from the main park. Leaves sprouted on the trees around her. She pulled the new Bible from the store bag and turned to the book of John as Animal-Magnet had recommended. He’d suggested a couple other passages, as well, but from what she remembered from her short-lived church days, John was a good place to start.

  She cradled her still warm tea in one hand and held the Bible with the other. An hour later, she placed the Bible on the bench and stood. She hurt in places that shouldn’t feel pain. She bent at the waist and touched her toes, letting the strain in her back ease. A seat cushion would have been a good idea. The wooden bench was not meant to be sat on for a long period.

  Maybe a walk would work out the kinks. She stuffed the Bible into the bookstore bag then tossed the cup into a nearby garbage can. A light breeze rustled through the trees, creating a comforting sound as she pondered the words she’d read.

  Jesus had done some amazing things. Her belief in Him was never in question. More so, it was the expectation that a person who attended church and claimed to be a Christian would behave in a better way than a person who didn’t claim to be one. But Jesus’ disciples weren’t perfect and He still kept them around. Maybe she’d judged too quickly. After all, everyone, according to the Bible, was a sinner. No one was perfect. Had she been unfair to hold Christians to a standard of perfection?

  She wound along the path, the river flowing by on her right. The familiar form of a man in shorts and a T-shirt jogged toward her. What were the chances she’d see Ben twice in one day and on a Saturday, too? She waved.

  “Long time no see.” He nodded and kept jogging.

  “Ben, wait!”

  He stopped then pivoted to face her. His brow rose. And what a gorgeous hairline it was—so thick. What would it feel like to run her fingers through the dark wavy strands?

  She pushed the crazy thought aside. “I don’t want it to be like this between us. Please don’t feel like you need to avoid me. I promise I won’t try and set you up with anyone ever again. Just act normal around me. And it’s ludicrous to think I’d ever sue you. Can we be friends?”

  A smile touched his lips. “Are you sure?”

  She nodded.

  “In that case, would you like company?”

  “Aren’t you heading in the opposite direction?”

  He shrugged. “This is my third time around the loop. I could cool down with a walk.”

  “The path is plenty wide for the two of us.” She tossed a grin and kept walking. “You must run a lot, ’cause you don’t even look tired.”

  “I try to run several miles a day.” He matched her steps and motioned toward her bag. “I didn’t know you enjoyed reading.”

  She raised the bag slightly. “It’s a Bible. A friend recommended a few of the passages. I started with the book of John.”


  His blue eyes twinkled. Her heart tripped. Why did he have to be so good-looking when he was off-limits? She averted her gaze and stared at the river.

  “So have you read any of John yet?” he asked.

  “Some.”

  “What did you think?”

  She glanced his way and noticed the sincere interest in his eyes. “Well, for starters, Jesus sure did a lot of miracles. His mom cracked me up when she put Him on the spot at the wedding in Cana.”

  He nodded. “I never thought about it that way, but you’re right. She did put Him on the spot, and He delivered.”

  She nibbled her bottom lip. “I also realized I’ve been pretty judgmental toward Christians.”

  “Oh?”

  She nodded, but didn’t elaborate.

  “Speaking of Christians,” Ben said. “I was invited to a barbecue at a family’s house from church tonight. They told me to bring a friend. Would you like to come?”

  Her heart kicked into overdrive. That almost sounded like a date. But—

  He smiled. “You’d be doing me a favor. If you’re with me, they wouldn’t feel sorry for me showing up alone.” He sent her a puppy dog look.

  How could she say no? But, how could she say yes after their history?

  * * *

  Ben’s invitation to dinner hung in the air between them like a feather caught on an updraft. Undoubtedly, she was considering his offer, but it was impossible to tell which direction she leaned. Who would’ve thought he’d have tossed out the invitation? Not him. He still wasn’t sure why he’d done it, other than she looked adorable when being reflective.

  He grasped his hands behind his back and kept pace with Meghan, even though she had slowed to a crawl. An eagle soared overhead and circled before swooping toward the river. When silence dragged on to the point of being uncomfortable, he cleared his throat. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have put you on the spot like that. I take back the invitation.”