The Protective Groom: Billionaire Marriage Brokers

by Lucy McConnell

  She rolled her eyes. “So you can progress to the next level.” She gave her a smug look. “You want to find out what’s behind that door you were so eager to get to … don’t you?”

  Gracie’s head popped up. All of the longing came rushing back with a vengeance that she could scarcely control. “Yes,” she said quietly.

  “Very good. Then you’ll first need to complete the assignments I give you.”

  “How many of them?”

  A look of frustration registered on Gertrude’s face. “As many as it takes!”

  Gracie mulled over the situation. Maybe being an angel wasn’t such a raw deal after all. She could help a few people and then be on her way. Even though she didn’t know what lay beyond it, something told her she had to get to that door. If being an angel were the first step, then so be it! “Fine. I’ll do it.”

  Gertrude looked relieved.

  She leaned forward. “So, what will I be doing? Saving the world from a nuclear meltdown or finding the cure for cancer?” Even though she was trying to play it cool, there was a twinge of excitement creeping into her voice. Who would’ve thought that she would end up doing something important? If only her mother could see her now, she wouldn’t think she’d been such a failure, after all.

  Gertrude tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “No, not exactly. You’re what I like to call a relationship mender.”

  “A what?”

  “You help fix relationships.”

  She frowned. “What kind of relationships?”

  “The romantic kind.”

  Gracie pointed to herself. “Me?”

  Gertrude rolled her eyes. “Yes, and not only will you mend relationships, but you will help others find true love.”

  She started laughing. “Yeah, right. That’s a good one. Now tell me what I’m really doing.”

  A furrow appeared between Gertrude’s brows. “That’s what you’ll be doing.”

  “If you’re giving me that assignment, then you obviously don’t know as much about me as you thought you did,” she said dryly.

  “Your full name is Gracie Louise Andrews. You grew up in the small town of Scottsboro, Alabama. After you graduated from high school, you attended The University of Alabama for a couple of years and then decided that you’d had enough of the academic world. You dropped out and went to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. You’ve spent the last three years, trying to get a foot in the door. You’ve worked a series of odd jobs—let’s see—receptionist, call center rep, substitute teacher—and most recently, a server in a restaurant. You were engaged to one Christopher Stevens, and you were killed when you—”

  “Enough!” Gracie held up a hand, her lips tight with anger. “I’ve heard enough. I don’t need the events of my life spelled out for me to know I was a dismal failure. I get the point.” A tear slipped out.

  Compassion filled Gertrude’s eyes. “We all have our own list of regrets,” she said kindly. “You have a chance to learn a few things … and to help others. It really is an awesome responsibility.”

  “But why can’t I do something important like cure world hunger? I wouldn’t think the Man upstairs would be that concerned with piddly relationships.”

  Gertrude was amused. “You don’t think relationships are important?”

  She shrugged. “I mean, I guess they’re important, but not as important as curing world hunger.” She could tell from the peeved look on Gertrude’s face that she’d said the wrong thing.

  “I’ll have you know that relationships make up the foundation of human existence. The relationship between a man and woman is the purest and most sacred expression of love. Devoted husbands and wives rear happy and productive children. Families are the central part of God’s Creation and must be protected at all costs.”

  “Geez, sorry,” she inserted when Gertrude paused long enough to take a breath. “I didn’t mean to ruffle your feathers.”

  “Through this assignment, you will come to know how vital relationships are.”

  Gracie let out a breath. “Okay, you’ve made your point. When do we start?”

  “There’s no time like the present.”

  Gracie looked down. “Oh, one more thing. I appreciate these clothes, and I’m sure my mom would love them ... but …”

  Gertrude let out an impatient huff. “I can see that you’re going to be a demanding one.”

  Gracie shrugged. “What can I say? I may be dead, but that doesn’t mean I have to look like crap.”

  “You’re starting to push my buttons.”

  Gracie gave what she hoped was her best convincing smile. “Please, you want me to feel comfortable, don’t you?”

  “Very well.” Gertrude waved a hand. Suddenly, Gracie was wearing one of her favorite outfits—a long, black sweater, patterned leggings, and black lace-up boots. She gave Gertrude an appraising look. “Wow, I’m impressed. You’ve obviously done your homework.”

  “I always do,” she quipped. But she looked pleased, making Gracie suspect that she might be a big softie underneath that stern exterior.

  “Hey, when do I get to do that wave thing?”

  “Wave thing?”

  “Yeah, making things appear. That’s pretty cool.”

  Gertrude chuckled. “Oh, give it a millennium or two … you’ll get the hang of it.”

  Gracie’s face fell. “What?” How long was she going to have to do this angel thing? Then she saw the mischievous glint in Gertrude’s eyes. She pointed. “You got me.” She lifted her arms in the air and stretched, inhaling deeply. “All right, Gertie. What do you say we get this show on the road?”

  “It’s Gertrude,” she countered stiffly.

  Gracie just laughed. “Gracie and Gertie. Has a nice ring to it. Don’t you think?”

  Gertrude shook her head and looked up. “Why me?”

  I hope you enjoyed the excerpt from Candlelight Kisses. To continue reading, click here.

  

  About the Author

  Lucy McConnell loves romance. She’s the author of the Billionaire Marriage Brokers Series and contribute to the Snow Valley and Echo Ridge anthologies. Her short fiction has been published in Woman’s World Magazine and she’s written for Parents’ Magazine and The Deseret News. Besides fiction, Lucy also writes cookbooks. You can find her award-winning recipes under Christina Dymock.

  When she’s not writing, you can find Lucy volunteering at the elementary school or church, shuttling kids to basketball, rodeos, skiing with her family, wake boarding, running, cycling, or baking.

  To sign up for her newsletter and receive announcements regarding new book releases and free recipes, click here.