The Husband Maker Boxed Set

by White, Karey

  “That’s not true. I’m in a happy boat. It’s yellow and has flowers painted on the side. You’re in a gray boat that’s taking on water. You need my fortune more than I do. Aha!” She handed me a folded strip of paper.

  I unfolded it and read the tiny words aloud. “Romance will come to you from foreign lands.” I tried to hand it back to her.

  “No, you keep it. Look at you. You need it more than I do. Besides, you said you had a friend you’d set me up with, so I’ll help arrange a date for you with the foreigner and you can set me up with your friend.”

  I cringed. I had told Aleena I would set up a blind date with Angus months ago. I really was a horrible friend. I needed to make that happen sooner than later. Maybe this week.

  “So how do I find this true love?”

  “Forget true love. It says romance. And we just met someone from a foreign land that I could have sworn was interested in you.”

  On Friday, Aleena and I had gone to lunch at Imperial Palace. While there, we had met Flynn and Bruce, two brothers from Scotland. Bruce was now living in San Francisco and working at an architecture firm. Flynn was in town visiting. They were both handsome and had seemed nice. Aleena was sure Flynn had flirted with me. I wasn’t ready to return the interest.

  “So you want me to troll the streets looking for the Scotsman?”

  “Nope. I’m going to call his brother’s office tomorrow and get his number for you. And then you’re going to call him and let that nice, foreign Paul Bunyan help you rebound. You’re going to have fun. You’re going to enjoy his accent. You’re going to laugh. And you’re going to stop thinking about Kyle.”

  I shook my head. “I’ll look desperate.”

  She scowled at me. “No you won’t. You’ll look friendly.”

  I shook my head more emphatically.

  “Stop it, Charlotte. I’m your friend, so I’m going to be honest with you. You are desperate, whether you want to admit it or not. So let’s get you out of your rut and you can go enjoy that cute Scotsman’s company.”

  “I don’t feel like dating anyone,” I whispered.

  Aleena’s voice turned sympathetic. “Which is exactly why you need to. You’re young and beautiful and fun and you’ve grieved long enough. It’s time. Okay?”

  I didn’t answer.

  “Say okay so I can open my present. Please?”

  I smiled a little. “Okay. Now open your present. You’re going to love them.”

  “Them?” Aleena said as she ripped off the wrapping paper. “Are you serious?” She pulled out the t-strap, green wedges.

  “I hope I got the right size.”

  Aleena looked at the size and then held them to her chest. “Sevens. Exactly right. I love them.” She hugged me with a shoe in each hand. “You know me so well.”

  I hugged her back. “Am I forgiven for being the worst friend alive and missing your party tonight?”

  “Only if you’re a willing tour guide for the Scot and if you set me up with your friend.”

  “You drive a hard bargain, girl.”

  “I know. My father would be so proud. But seriously, Charlotte. The men they were trying to pawn me off on.” She gave me a horrified look.

  “All right. If you track him down, I’ll offer to take him sight-seeing.”

  I’d had trouble falling asleep all weekend, but this night it was more complicated. I was still hurting because of Kyle’s upcoming nuptials, but now I had added a healthy (or unhealthy) dose of nerves. Had I really agreed to contact a stranger and offer to be his San Francisco tour guide? I wasn’t in the mood to get out of bed, let alone point out the sites and make small talk. Maybe Aleena wouldn’t remember the name of Bruce’s architecture firm. Maybe Bruce’s brother, Flynn, would have already returned to the Isle of handsome lumberjacks with lots of freckles.

  I was recalling those fascinating freckles and that charming smile when I realized something alarming. Aleena was right. It was time for me to pull myself out of the Kyle quicksand that had me trapped. When Kyle and I had parted, I had decided to take some time away from dating to heal and regroup, but instead, I’d pined and second-guessed myself. This six months hadn’t been good for me, and as much as I wanted to park myself in the junkyard of broken hearts, I knew it was time to get this old clunker a tune-up and take her out for a spin.

  I thought about Kyle and Wyatt, and it knocked the wind out of me for a minute, but I loved Kyle and wanted him to be happy. As much as I hated to admit it, Kyle was making a good choice. I liked Wyatt and there was no doubt she was a good fit for his life. Much better than I ever could have been. It was time to wish them well and move on.

  And why not move on with a handsome, Scottish man with a beautiful accent and a charming smile? It might be nice to date someone with no pressure. After all, he would be heading back to Scotland, so this could be short, fun, and easy. A little rebound fling. Maybe Flynn really could help take my mind off Kyle.

  I read the message again.

  ALEENA: HIS NAME IS FLYNN, BUT YOU PROBABLY REMEMBER THAT. HE’S IN TOWN UNTIL SUNDAY NIGHT. (THAT DOESN’T MEAN YOU CAN PUT THIS OFF. I’LL BE CHECKING IN ON YOU AT THREE TO SEE IF YOU’VE CALLED HIM.) HE CAN BE REACHED AT 415-555-9806. BRUCE SAID HE’LL BE EXCITED TO HEAR FROM YOU. WINK WINK CALL HIM NOW!!!

  I looked at the time. Two forty-six. I’d been putting this off for almost two hours and now I had fourteen minutes before Aleena checked in. Knowing Aleena, I probably had more like ten minutes.

  I bit my lip and dialed the number.

  “Hello.”

  I smiled. I couldn’t help it. Aleena was right. His accent was beautiful.

  “Hi. This is Charlotte. I don’t know if you remember who I am—“

  “Course I do. I’ve been expecting your call.”

  “You have?”

  “Bruce rang and told me ya might be callin’. I’ve been waitin’. And hopin’.”

  “And I’ve been sitting here for the last two hours worrying about this.”

  Flynn laughed. “Nothin’ to worry about. I’m not scary.”

  “That’s debatable.”

  Flynn laughed again. “Was it the accent scared ya?”

  “No, the accent’s fine.”

  “It’s because of Braveheart? I promise we’re not all blue-painted warriors.”

  “Braveheart doesn’t scare me either.”

  “Then what’s to be afraid of?”

  Maybe it was the laughter in his voice or that I’d never see him again in a week’s time. Whatever it was, I felt strangely free to say what I was thinking. “You’re a man.”

  “You’re afraid of men?”

  I took a deep breath. This wasn’t going the way I expected. “I’m just coming off a hard breakup, so men in general make me skittish.”

  “Ah. Well, ya don’t need to fret. I’m a nice guy.”

  “Good to know.”

  “If I’d had your number, Charlotte, I would have called you.”

  My name had never sounded so good. I wanted to ask him to say it again, but thought better of it.

  “Really?”

  “Aye. Bruce was supposed to show me around, but his boss handed him a project he can’t put off, and you and your friend are the only other people I know.”

  “That’s pretty sad for you since you don’t really know us.”

  “True, but ya have jovial eyes and a pleasing smile, so I knew we’d be friends right off.”

  No one has ever told me I have jovial eyes. The phrase was sweet, and I felt some of my nerves scamper away.

  “Charlotte? You still there?” It was like my name had been created to be spoken with a Scottish accent.

  “I’m here.”

  “Did ya call with something specific in mind or can I ask you out?”

  Flynn kept catching me off guard. “Uh, well, I had something in mind, but if you’d like to ask me out, go right ahead.”

  “Brilliant. Bruce got tickets for a tour of Alcatraz, but he can’t go. Would
you like to go with me? That is, if you’re available. They’re for tomorrow morning. Nine-forty.”

  “I’m supposed to work.”

  “Ah, of course ya are. It was too much ta hope for.”

  “But I can probably get it off. I have a ton of vacation time saved up.”

  “You don’t mind spending your vacation on someone ya don’t even know?”

  “I haven’t been to Alcatraz since we went there for a seventh grade field trip. It sounds like fun.”

  We made arrangements to meet at Pier 33.

  “Thanks for calling, Charlotte. Even though you were scared. Ya must be a brave girl.”

  Right now I wasn’t sure if I was brave or foolish. I guess I’d find out tomorrow.

  I called Jayne and arranged to take the day off. I had nearly three weeks of vacation days saved up, but even if I hadn’t, Jayne would probably have paid me to take the day off, just to ease her guilty conscience.

  “Please tell me you’re not going to sit at home crying,” she said after she had agreed to the time off.

  “Actually, I need the day off because I have a date.”

  “Oh, that’s wonderful.” The relief in her voice made me realize how terrible she had been feeling. “Who are you going out with?”

  “A handsome tourist from Scotland.”

  “Ooh, sounds romantic.”

  “It’s not. It’s just a friendly trip to Alcatraz. His brother can’t go with him and it wouldn’t be much fun for him to go alone.”

  “Oh.” Jayne sounded disappointed. “Well, have fun, and if you need any more time off, I’m sure we can arrange it.”

  My cell phone buzzed almost before I had hung up the office phone.

  ALEENA: DID YOU CALL HIM?

  ME: I’M GOING TO ALCATRAZ WITH HIM TOMORROW.

  ALEENA: YAY! I DON’T MEAN TO PESTER YOU, BUT I TOLD DOUG (DAD’S ACCOUNTANT) THAT I’M DATING YOUR FRIEND. IT WAS THE ONLY WAY HE’D LEAVE ME ALONE. HE BROUGHT IN A PICTURE OF HIS BROTHER TODAY AND NOT ONLY IS HE AT LEAST 50, I’M POSITIVE HE WAS WEARING A TOUPEE. I HAD TO PUT A STOP TO HIS MATCH MAKING. I FEEL GUILTY FOR LYING, SO I NEED YOU TO SET ME UP. EVEN IF IT’S JUST FOR LUNCH.

  ME: I’M ON IT. I’LL HAVE A DATE SET UP BY THE END OF THE DAY. SORRY I’M SUCH A SLACKER.

  ALEENA: NO PROBLEM. I JUST DON’T WANT TO HAVE TO LIE TO HIM EVERY TIME HE STOPS BY.

  I hadn’t seen Angus for almost two weeks. Did he even know about Wyatt and Kyle? I sent him a text.

  ME: I THINK WE NEED LUIGI’S.

  Luigi’s was our long-standing eatery when we needed therapy—not legitimate, professional counselling, but the consoling that comes from commiserating over food with a good friend. It was more an excuse to get together and help each other through the hard times in our dating lives.

  Angus didn’t answer right away. In fact, I had sketched out a postcard for Adventureland by the time he responded half an hour later.

  ANGUS: I DIDN’T KNOW YOU WERE DATING ANYONE.

  ME: I HAVEN’T BEEN. BUT I THINK I’M READY TO TEST THE DATING WATERS AGAIN. SORT OF. SOMETHING SAFE AND FRIENDLY AND LESS STRESSFUL. IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN. BTW, ARE YOU DATING ANYONE?

  ANGUS: NO. JUST PUTTING IN LONG HOURS AT WORK.

  ME: GOOD. NOT ABOUT THE LONG HOURS. GOOD THAT YOU’RE NOT DATING SOMEONE.

  ANGUS: WHY IS THAT GOOD?

  ME: WELL, I KINDA WANT TO TALK TO YOU IN PERSON, ’CAUSE I THINK I’VE GOT THE PERFECT GIRL FOR YOU TO DATE.

  ANGUS: OH REALLY? AND WHO MIGHT THAT BE?

  ME: THAT IS, IF YOU HAVE TIME TO DATE.

  ANGUS: CHARLES, I’VE ALWAYS HAD TIME FOR THE RIGHT GIRL.

  ME: GOOD, BECAUSE I THINK THIS MIGHT BE THE GIRL YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR. SOMEONE YOU PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE DATED A LONG TIME AGO. I THINK. I HOPE. LET’S GO TO LUIGI’S AND I’LL TELL YOU ALL ABOUT HER?

  ANGUS: HAVE YOU BEEN TALKING TO WILL?

  ME: YEAH.

  ANGUS: ABOUT ME AND DATING?

  ME: OF COURSE. ALONG WITH MANY OTHER SUBJECTS.

  ANGUS: DO I DARE ASK WHAT HE SAID ABOUT ME?

  ME: YOU CAN ALWAYS ASK, BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN I’LL TELL. SERIOUSLY THOUGH, MOST OF THE TIME WE TALK ABOUT EMILY. I WISH THEY WOULD JUST GO OUT OF TOWN AND LET ME BABYSIT THAT GIRL FOR DAYS.

  ANGUS: I SAW HER SATURDAY. I CAN’T BELIEVE HOW MUCH SHE’S GROWN.

  ME: I KNOW. SHE’LL BE STARTING SCHOOL BEFORE WE KNOW IT.

  ANGUS: SHE CALLED ME UNCLE ANGUS. I’M PRETTY SURE THOSE WERE HER FIRST WORDS.

  ME: WOW. THAT’S PRETTY IMPRESSIVE FOR A 3 MONTH OLD.

  ANGUS: I GUESS I’M JUST HER FAVORITE.

  ME: YOU CAN’T MAKE ME JEALOUS. AT LEAST NOT WHERE EMILY IS CONCERNED. I’M PRETTY SURE SHE’S GOING TO LOVE ME THE MOST.

  ANGUS: YOU’RE PROBABLY RIGHT. DOESN’T EVERYONE LOVE YOU MOST?

  ME: WE SEEM TO HAVE GOTTEN SIDETRACKED. WHEN CAN YOU MEET FOR THERAPY?

  ANGUS: AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT, I’M FINISHING A SHIFT AT 6 TONIGHT.

  ME: WILL YOU BE TOO TIRED? HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN ON?

  ANGUS: IT WAS A 24 HR SHIFT, BUT I TOOK TWO NAPS. I DON’T WORK AGAIN UNTIL TOMORROW NIGHT. LET’S GO TONIGHT.

  ME: IF YOU’RE SURE.

  ANGUS: I’M SURE. PICK YOU UP AT 8?

  ME: 8 IT IS.

  “When did you go getting all stylish?” I asked when I got in Angus’s car.

  “I figured it was time to invest in a few things other than jeans and sweatshirts now that I get a paycheck.”

  “You look nice. I haven’t seen you in cords since, what, fourth grade?”

  I reached over and ran my hand over the brown corduroy pants he wore with a button-down shirt and a pale blue cardigan straight out of Mr. Rogers’ closet.

  “Did I have cords in fourth grade? I don’t remember ever owning a pair before.”

  “You and Will both had a pair of navy blue corduroy pants. You used to call each other to be sure you were wearing them on the same day.”

  “Were those cords?”

  “Yep.”

  “That seems like a girly thing to remember.” The right side of his mouth quirked up.

  “I guess that’s why I can remember and you can’t.”

  “Well, you always look nice, so I figured I should make a little effort.”

  For a guy who had worked twenty-four hours straight, Angus seemed pretty happy. I wondered if my news about Kyle and Wyatt would bring him down. I didn’t say anything about their engagement on the way to Luigi’s. We just caught up on the latest with work and his dad’s improving health.

  We ordered right after we were seated. We didn’t need to see a menu since we always ordered the same thing. When the waitress had walked away, Angus leaned back in the booth. He looked good—happy and relaxed. His light brown hair looked like it had been cut recently, but even short, it managed to be a little messy. His smile reached his warm brown eyes and I almost didn’t want to bring up Kyle and Wyatt and risk removing it from his cute face.

  “You sure seem happy,” I said.

  “I am. I’m off for the next twenty-four hours and I’m hungry and ribs sound great, and we’re actually here more for fun than for therapy.”

  “Well, there’s a little therapy involved, but mostly it’s because I think we both need to move on. I’m tired of moping around and I hope you are too. And of course, we might as well talk about all this stuff while we eat ribs and pie.”

  “Might as well. I’m glad you invited me. It’s been awhile since we ate here.”

  “I know. Six months.”

  Angus grinned at me and I couldn’t contain my smile. We sat there stupidly smirking at each other for several seconds. “I’m ready to hear whatever you have to tell me, so go ahead whenever.”

  Angus was so happy. Was it because he trusted me to set him up with someone good and he was ready to start dating again? His cheerfulness made me excited to tell him about Aleena and a little flattered, too. He must trust me that I would only set him up with someone great, a
nd I knew he wouldn’t be disappointed by Aleena. She was smart, funny and gorgeous. I should have done this a lot sooner. Just because I’d been on a dating hiatus didn’t mean Angus had to be.

  But first, I needed to tell him about Kyle and Wyatt. He deserved to know, and I didn’t want it to seem like I was keeping it from him. He would probably think it was because I was devastated—which I had been—but I didn’t want Angus to worry about me. He’d probably be relieved to know I was through nursing my broken heart. He would be happy to know I was ready to start dating again.

  Angus was still smiling. His eyes hadn’t left my face.

  I took a sip of water. “I have a lot I want to tell you tonight.”

  “I’m ready to hear it all.”

  “Okay. Do you want the good news or the bad news first?”

  Angus’s smile faltered a little. “There’s bad news?”

  “Well, yeah. Sort of. At least I thought it was bad news the first time I heard it. But honestly, the more I think about it, I don’t feel like it’s so bad. It makes sense and it somehow seems right, even though at first I was thrown for a loop. I just don’t want it to upset you.”

  “Sounds complicated. I guess we might as well get the bad news out of the way first then.”

  Angus’s hands were folded on the table in front of him. I reached out and put my hand on his wrist, hoping it would soften the blow of what I was about to say.

  I took a deep breath. “Did you know Kyle and Wyatt are engaged?”

  Angus’s mouth dropped open for a moment before he recovered and closed it. “Seriously?”

  I nodded.

  “To each other?”

  I nodded again.

  We were quiet for several moments while the news sank in. Then Angus sat up a little straighter and put his hand over mine. “Are you okay?”

  I nodded again. “I was surprised, and I spent a few days crying when I found out, but honestly, they make sense together. Don’t you think?”

  Angus’s nod was almost imperceptible. “Yeah. They really do. Talk about a power couple.”

  “I know. They’re perfect for each other. She’s much better for Kyle than I ever could have been.”

  “I don’t know about that,” Angus said.