The Matchmaking Twins

by Christy Jeffries

  The lobby was overcrowded with kids wearing ball caps and assorted team jerseys along with the haggard-looking parents who were their chauffeurs, chaperones and cheering sections all in one. Which must’ve been why she’d had a difficult time hearing the desk clerk explain that there was a notation on her reservation.

  “Yoo-hoo, Officer Delgado.” Elaine Marconi waved from the other end of the counter. “I barely recognized you in regular clothes. What are you doing here in Rexburg?”

  “Just taking in some baseball.” Carmen smiled tightly at the woman, not wanting to explain anything else to the town gossip. Then she looked at the clerk, trying to convey her sense of urgency with her eyes as she slid her credit card across the counter. “I’ll just take my room key, please.”

  “Of course, Ms. Delgado. But, as I was explaining, it seems Mr. Gregson has already checked in for you and prepaid for the room. So we won’t be needing this.” He slid her credit card back toward her.

  “Oh, you’re here with Luke Gregson.” Elaine’s magenta-painted lips smirked in a knowing smile.

  Had that smug busybody just winked at her? “Oh, no. It’s not like that,” Carmen tried to explain, but Elaine was busy tapping something into her phone.

  “You’re in room two-oh-four.” The desk clerk handed her a key card. “Your room is adjoining Mr. Gregson’s.”

  Of course, Mrs. Marconi would look up just in time to hear that juicy bit of information.

  Ugh. Carmen didn’t owe this woman or anyone else an explanation. Her head was already pounding and she had a difficult enough time justifying to herself what she was doing at some youth baseball tournament miles away from home.

  Besides, she barely had enough time to drop off her suitcase and drive over to the fields if she didn’t want all twelve players on the Sugar Falls Comets to blame her for costing them the win.

  Her brain hurt, but she managed a pleasant smile as she took the room key and wheeled her small bag toward the elevator as quickly as she could.

  By the time she found a parking spot at the crowded park, the boys’ team was already taking the field. She scoped out the bleachers and saw the only spot open was next to a woman wearing a pink straw cowboy hat sitting next to an older, shorter version of Luke and Drew Gregson.

  No. This couldn’t be happening.

  “Excuse me.” Mrs. Pink Hat waved her fingers to get Carmen’s attention. “By any chance are you Officer Carmen?”

  With the stands full of fans and parents there to cheer on the team from Sugar Falls, it would’ve been hard for Carmen to deny it. So she forced herself to smile and nod.

  “Here.” The woman Carmen suspected was Mrs. Gregson gave her husband a friendly push to make more room. “We’ve been saving you a seat.”

  “Hey, Officer Carmen,” the shortstop yelled across the field, causing all the players, coaches and spectators to look her way. “My Grammie saved you a seat right next to her and Pop Pop.”

  If Elaine Marconi hadn’t effectively spread the word by now, Aiden or Caden—she couldn’t tell which from this distance—had just announced to everyone that Carmen was, in fact, there with the Gregsons.

  Like one big happy family.

  * * *

  Coach Alex had repeatedly told the entire team to stay focused on the game. But apparently, Luke wasn’t taking those instructions to heart, because he kept peeking over at Carmen when he should have been signaling runners from third base.

  He’d seen her several times around town this week, but she’d been working and he hadn’t wanted to bother her when she was on duty. Plus, he liked standing back and watching her in her police uniform, all stiff blue polyester and black gear and duty belt. He liked knowing that underneath the bulletproof vest and mirrored sunglasses was a sexy, passionate woman whose skin smelled like gardenias and whose hair smelled like Moroccan oil—whatever that was.

  Thanks to the twins, he had her cell phone number programmed in his phone and he could’ve texted her after the birthday party. But he didn’t want to scare her off by coming on too strong. He’d been well aware of her stiff control every time he’d touched her that evening, but he hadn’t been able to have her so close and not put his hands on her. He could understand that she probably didn’t want everyone to know that their relationship had accelerated directly past the friendship zone and was careening straight toward the romantic expressway.

  Luke had been honest with her the other day. His life really was an open book and maybe it was his impulsive and reckless nature, but he didn’t like hiding the fact that he was more than attracted to Carmen. The problem was that he couldn’t risk a potentially bad outcome, especially publicly.

  Again.

  At least the twins had been too young to understand what had happened in their parent’s marriage or the fact that their father’s lack of insight drove their mother into another man’s arms. Now, though, the boys were older and would be smart enough to blame him if—or probably when—he messed things up for them.

  Even if he’d been willing to listen to Drew’s tough-love campaign about him not being the only one at fault, Luke had been lost and racked with guilt for so long, it was instinctive for him to question his judgment about any decision that had to do with his children. And acting on his attraction to Carmen was definitely something that would affect his kids. If he was wrong about where things were heading with her, his selfishness might cause the boys to lose another important woman in their lives.

  Which was why it would be easier to avoid any thoughts of a future with Carmen altogether. Unfortunately, judging by the way his mom and dad were yapping in her ear up there in the bleachers, other people were definitely taking an interest in the direction of their relationship, as well.

  The team won and the boys had a forty-five minute break to grab a bite to eat before the second game started. Luke was pleased to see that his children ran straight to greet Carmen instead of following the rest of the team to the snack bar. Given the choice between her warm smile and welcoming hug or the standard baseball fare of hot dogs and nachos, he couldn’t blame them.

  “Did you see the home run I hit, Officer Carmen?” Aiden asked, bouncing up and down on his cleats.

  “How about when I got that guy out at third base?” Caden said around a wad of chewing gum. “Did you see that?”

  “I saw it all, kiddos,” Carmen said, then tweaked both their hats. “I was sitting right by Donna and Jerry the whole time.”

  “You mean Grammie and Pop Pop?” Aiden took both of his grandparents’ hands, pulling them toward the snack bar. “They don’t like it when we call them Donna and Jerry.”

  “No, young man,” Luke’s mom said. “We don’t like it when eight—I mean, nine-year-old boys call us by our first names. But Officer Carmen can call us whatever she likes as long as she keeps being your good luck charm.”

  “No pressure there,” Luke thought he heard Carmen mumble.

  “See, Officer Carmen.” Caden stepped between Luke and Carmen and took them by the hand so they could follow the others. “Everyone knows about your good luckiness. But speaking of nine-year-old boys, Grammie, did you guys maybe remember our birthday just happened last week?”

  Luke smiled at Carmen as his parents explained to the children that their birthday presents were still inside the RV, which was parked back at the hotel.

  A familiar organ song sounded from the parking lot behind them and Caden squeezed their fingers. “Can we go get something from the ice-cream truck?”

  “Sure,” Luke said. “But, first, you need to eat something healthy for lunch.” Although Luke wasn’t seeing many healthy options displayed on the menu board outside the snack bar.

  “Okay then, you guys stay here and order us something healthy.” Caden put Carmen’s hand, which he’d still been holding, into Luke’s palm. “Me and Aiden will
go get our ice creams before the truck leaves.”

  With that, the twins took off, leaving Luke and Carmen standing there, linked together.

  “Oh, look.” Donna Gregson pointed to a food truck that had been set up in the parking lot. “They’re selling street tacos. Let’s go get those, instead. Jerry and I haven’t had any good Mexican food since we left Arizona.”

  Luke kept Carmen’s hand in his own as they followed his parents toward the taco vendor. He’d just spent almost two hours in a dugout with a bunch of rowdy preadolescent boys telling knock-knock jokes and staging a belching contest between innings. If he had to listen to his parents talk about all the roadside diners they’d hit along their travels, then at least Carmen could provide him with a physical distraction.

  “So, what’s the plan for the rest of the day,” Jerry Gregson asked from his spot in line in front of them.

  Carmen tried to pull her hand away, but Luke kept his grip firm. “It’s a single elimination tournament, so they play again this afternoon. If they win that one, they play again tomorrow morning. The championship game is that same afternoon, but I don’t think our team will make it that far. The kids from Sun Valley are pretty good this year.”

  Luke’s mom ordered, then turned back to Carmen. “What are you having, dear?”

  “Oh, you don’t have to order for me, Mrs. Gregson.” At his mom’s frown, Carmen corrected herself. “I mean Donna. I can get my own lunch.”

  “Nonsense. You drove all this way and, from what I understand, you’ve been great with our grandchildren these past few months. The least Jerry and I can do is buy lunch for—” his mom looked down at their linked hands “—Luke’s special friend.”

  She tried to pull her hand away again, but Luke wasn’t having any of it. So, instead, she used his own hand to add momentum as she shoved against his hip.

  But Luke didn’t budge. “Carmen will have the carnitas, Mom. Extra salsa.”

  Carmen shoved at him again and twitched her head in the direction of his parents, who were now talking to the woman behind the cash register. He could mentally give himself orders all day long about the inappropriateness of his attraction to her, but it was another thing to make his body obey.

  “What?” Luke flashed her a smile, trying to look innocent. “You like things spicy.”

  “I’m not talking about the salsa, Luke. I’m talking about you paying for my hotel room and now your mom and Elaine Marconi and everyone else back home thinking that we’re special friends.”

  He had a feeling that if her fingers hadn’t been wedged tightly between his, she would’ve used air quotes on that last part. “But I thought we were friends. And what does Elaine Marconi have to do with anything?”

  “She saw me at the hotel and overheard the desk clerk say that you’d already paid for my room.”

  “I didn’t pay for your room. Up until last night, I didn’t even know where you were staying. You’ve been avoiding me all week, remember?”

  “I haven’t been avoiding you, I’ve been working. And what do you mean you didn’t pay for my room? He clearly said ‘Mr. Gregson.’ If you don’t believe me, ask Elaine. I’m sure she’s already telling everyone back in Sugar Falls about it.”

  “Um, did you ever consider that the other Mr. Gregson paid for your room?” Luke asked.

  “Your dad?” She squinted her eyes at his father, who was doing a remarkable job of butchering the Spanish language while placing his order. “Why would he pay for it?”

  “No, not my dad. My brother, Drew. It was his and Kylie’s room originally, remember? He called me last night to say that they couldn’t come and were giving you their reservation.”

  “Oh.” Some of the heat left her eyes. “I didn’t even think of that.”

  “Really? And here I thought you were some elite cop with your sexy sunglasses, your tight bun and those fancy interrogation techniques you’ve been trying to teach me. By the way, I like your hair like this much better.”

  He reached out his finger and stroked one of the glossy black curls. She jerked her head away, but not before he saw the pink blush streak across her cheeks.

  “I know you’re teasing me, and normally my investigation skills really are top-notch. But you make it hard for me to think with all your dimpling and high-handedness and...oof.” She cut off as he pulled her in closer and wrapped his hand around her waist.

  He brought his head down to hers, wanting to show her exactly how high and how low his handedness could reach.

  “Two carnitas tacos. Extra salsa,” his mother interrupted loudly. Then she lowered her voice and winked before saying, “Save the mushy stuff for later, you two. We’re at a family event here.”

  “This one,” his dad said to Carmen, while pointing at Luke, “gets his moves from his old man.” Jerry Gregson then spun his wife toward him and dipped her into his arms, extra salsa and all, before planting a big kiss on her laughing lips.

  That was what Luke had grown up with. That was the kind of easy, lighthearted relationship he’d always wanted for himself. But seeing Carmen’s forced smile, feeling her suddenly tense up against him... It was beginning to occur to him that his instincts had been wrong again. And that maybe she didn’t want the same things. Or at least, not with someone like him.

  * * *

  That evening, Carmen sat next to Luke on the wooden bench in the pizza parlor, her appetite slowly returning to compete with her building frustration at the man for being so damn sexy and funny. The team had stopped for dinner on the way back to the hotel and there was no sense in her going hungry all alone in her prepaid hotel room.

  She’d finally convinced herself to just have a slice of the sausage-and-mushroom pie, maybe even loosen up enough to allow herself to relax and enjoy Luke’s playfulness and close proximity.

  Temporarily.

  Yet, now that she’d ordered herself not to fight it, she could sense that something was off. Luke’s arm was touching hers, but he hadn’t been as blatantly affectionate since that stunt he’d pulled earlier today.

  Maybe the fun for him was in sneaking the touches and kisses and whatnot—like he was getting away with something or trying to get her rattled. If he was anything like his offspring—and she was quickly realizing that he was—the man had a penchant for getting himself into borderline mischievous situations. But now that the nonsecret was out of the bag, perhaps the game for him was over.

  Carmen had known plenty of men who were only interested in the chase. While Luke seemed comfortable flirting with her, the fact remained that he was still not over his late wife. Maybe he was having some guilt over this make-believe one-big-happy-family situation he’d gotten himself into.

  “Dad, did you pack our swimsuits?” Caden yelled, popping his curly blond head out of the arcade room.

  “I sure did, Caden.” Luke smiled at his son and Carmen forgot about relaxing. Who could relax when seeing the man’s dimples felt like the carbonation from her soda was bubbling around in her chest? “Remember, you reminded me about eight times?

  “The kids have been talking about the hotel’s indoor pool all day,” Luke said, finally breaking the awkward silence between them. Was he trying to make small talk?

  “I know,” she replied, remembering the message she’d gotten from Luke’s cell phone, which turned out not to be from Luke at all. “Aiden texted me on Wednesday telling me to pack my own bathing suit.” And she had, because, sure, she liked a good swim. And up until now, she’d done whatever the sweet boys had asked. But that was before everyone suspected that she and Luke were involved.

  “I really need to figure out a way to keep those boys away from other people’s phones.”

  Was he annoyed that his kids were talking to her more regularly and had invited her on this trip? She sat up straighter. Or maybe he just wanted her opinion on how t
o establish better boundaries. If so, he was talking to the wrong person.

  She watched the other parents round up their children to leave the restaurant and go back to the hotel for the night. Despite working in a male-dominated occupation for years, she’d never felt so out of place as she did now. She was used to being the one in charge, the one making the commands, yet seeing the moms wiping pizza-smeared faces and herding kids wired on soda and video games, Maria Carmen Delgado was at a complete loss.

  She felt like a fraud. She wasn’t a mom, and she never would be. She shouldn’t be playing up some happy little family role or pretending that things could continue on like this.

  In fact, at some point this weekend, she needed a one-on-one with Luke to explain to him that nothing was happening between them. Well, technically, something had already happened, but it needed to stop there. They weren’t in a relationship; nor was she planning to enter into one with him.

  No matter how stinking adorable he was when he lifted up his sons, one in each muscular arm, and carried their giggling little bodies out of the restaurant and toward the parking lot.

  “Can we ride back to the hotel with you, Officer Carmen?” the boys begged in unison, and all her tough resolve melted like the mozzarella cheese they’d all just consumed.

  “If it’s okay with your father,” she said, wanting to make the point that she wasn’t their parent. She didn’t get to make these kinds of decisions about them, no matter how much she might want to.

  “Make sure you wear your seat belts,” Luke said. And don’t ask her to stop at that ice-cream parlor we passed on the way here.”

  Carmen loaded the boys into her SUV and, as she pulled onto the main road, she saw that Luke followed in the Nanamobile with his parents. Which made it impossible to give in to the twin’s requests for ice cream without getting busted.

  After their failed attempts, Caden switched tactics. “So, when we get to our rooms, Officer Carmen, you go get your swimsuit on and we’ll give you the secret knock to let you know we’re ready.”

  The secret knock? “What secret knock?”