Matched Online: Anthology Bks 1-4 (Contemporary Romance)

by Lacy Williams, Julie Jarnagin, Robin Patchen

  His jaw clenched. “Yeah, I know what you think of me.”

  “No, you don’t.” She lifted the binder again. “All these good deeds are great. You did some really nice things for people, but the real Slater Hensley isn’t contained in this book. Not even close. You give yourself away every day, serving the people around you. Your mom, your employees, the people of Ross.”

  She had something nice to say about him? A spark of hope ignited in his chest, but he was afraid to fan it. “What are you saying?”

  “I’m saying you’re a good man. I’m…”

  Slater’s heart nearly burst with joy. He hauled himself up and over the fence. It was the quickest way to get to her.

  “What are you doing?”

  His boots thudded against the packed earth when he landed. “I don’t need to hear any more. I’m—”

  “No, you have to let me finish.” Determination flashed in her eyes, so he held still.

  “I didn’t see it before,” she said. “I was so caught up in blaming you for what happened ten years ago. My plans didn’t go how I wanted them to, but I don’t know a single person who hasn’t had some twists and turns to navigate. Look at you. Would you have chosen the path you’ve taken? I doubt it. But you’re content with where you are. I guess it’s just been easier for me to blame you for my disappointments, but it’s time for me to get over it.”

  “So you forgive me?”

  A smile stretched across her face. “Yes.”

  “I need to hear you say the words.”

  “I forgive you.” She looked sheepishly at him. “Will you forgive me?”

  The question stunned him. “Come again?”

  “I haven’t treated you fairly. You asked for forgiveness, and I refused to give it. I’m sorry.”

  He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “I guess I can forgive you.” He pulled her to him, and she came willingly. “I love you, Morgan.”

  Her eyes went wide, and she stiffened. Maybe he shouldn’t have said it, but it was the truth.

  After a long moment, she sunk into him, giving him that look of intimacy that had been there the day of the food pantry opening. “I love you, too.”

  He bent to kiss her, but paused just before touching his lips to hers.

  The ranch hands in the pen were supposed to be working, but they’d suddenly gone quiet, and Slater could sense them watching. He reached for her hand. “Come with me. I don’t want these jokers heckling us when I kiss the daylights out of you.”

  Her smile was the only response he needed. He led her to the south side of the barn, away from the prying eyes, and pulled her to him. “You should know I’ve been sulking all week without you. ”

  “Is that so?” She ran her hands up his biceps, the love in her eyes crystal clear. “I’m kind of glad to hear it.” Her arms encircled his neck, and she tipped her chin. “So are you going to kiss me or keep talking?”

  He lowered his head so the bill of his cap shadowed their faces, and he whispered, “Look at that, you’ve forgiven me and you’re begging for a kiss.” He paused, jerking back a few inches. “Hold on. This isn’t some kind of sick joke, is it? Are you messing with me? If so, I’ll never forgive you.”

  “You shouldn’t hold grudges, you know. Trust me, I know a little something about unforgiveness, and it’s not good.” She tugged at his neck to bring him closer and gave him a flirty smile and a mock glare. “But so help me, Slater Hensley, if you ever pull another prank on me—”

  “Never.” He swiftly covered her mouth with his to silence her threat and, he hoped, her fears. He wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize her trust now that he’d won it. His prankster days were behind him.

  He kissed her until he could barely breathe. When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against hers, awe and wonder swirling in his chest. “Morgan Drake loves me? Who would’ve thought?”

  “Not me. I was definitely set up on this one.” She murmured the words against his mouth, her lips skimming his with each syllable.

  “I think we were both set up.” Slater couldn’t hold back his smile. “Only God could manage to make you fall in love with me. He’s quite the trickster, apparently.”

  “You may be right.” Her head tilted slightly, her expression thoughtful. “I can’t believe I’m saying it, but this is one joke I don’t mind being the butt of. Not one little bit.”

  “Neither do I.” He kissed the tip of her adorable nose, hugged her tighter, and sent a prayer of thanks heavenward.

  Capturing Morgan’s heart had been the best prank of all.

  Dear Reader

  Thank you for coming along for Morgan and Slater’s story. Morgan never would’ve imagined that she’d end up with the man who ruined her life, and Slater believed he’d never be fully forgiven, but God had a much greater plan. Much like these characters, I’ve found that God’s best gifts are usually outside the scope of my imagination. I pray that whatever you’re hoping for in this season, God breaks through and orchestrates something beyond your best and wildest dreams.

  I hope you’ll pick up the other books in this collection, if you haven’t already. Get to know Morgan’s reunion committee friends as they stumble through online dating and journey toward Happily Ever After. You’ll meet Angela in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Dates by Lacy Williams, Jo in A Package Deal by Robin Patchen, and Mary Beth in Engaged by Friday by Julie Jarnagin. You’re in for a treat with each one.

  I’d love to hear from you! You can reach me online via the links below. While you’re there, please sign up for my newsletter—you’ll be the first to get news about upcoming releases and other fun stuff.

  So much love to you,

  Susan

  Connect with me:

  SusanCrawfordBooks

  www.susancrawfordbooks.com

  lydiasusancrawford@gmail.com

  Also by Susan Crawford

  Heart of the City

  Reclaiming Brynn

  Saving Justice

  Redeeming Cade

  Engaged by Friday by Julie Jarnagin

  To Joy

  1

  Mary Beth flung her phone to the other end of the couch. The only new emails were messages about the upcoming high school reunion she wouldn’t be attending. Not now. She didn't care that she was on the planning committee, that it had been ten years, or that she’d cleared her calendar for the festivities the weekend after next.

  Pup, the Jack Russell Terrier she’d rescued from the side of the road three weeks ago, jumped onto the couch and curled up beside her. She knew she shouldn’t let him on the furniture, but grateful for his company, she stroked his back as he rested his warm body against her leg.

  For most of her classmates, going to the reunion alone would be no big deal, but after her infamous senior-prom incident and the ridiculous bet she’d made with Harper Tulley, the whole situation would be humiliating. Heat blasted her cheeks at the thought.

  Mary Beth should have known better than to tell everyone Todd would be at the reunion. How could she have known he would dump her two weeks before the big event?

  She took a deep breath, willing away the sick sensation she got every time she thought of Todd. A break. The words still stung. The least he could have done was man-up and call it what it was. This wasn’t a break. It was a breakup. Todd had dumped her, plain and simple.

  Hot tears gathered in her eyes. No. She refused to spend another second crying over the man who’d ruined all her big plans for the future.

  The doorbell rang. Pup jumped up and let out a series of ear-piercing yaps.

  “Hush,” she whispered to the dog. “Mrs. Sweeney will hear you." Unless that was her at the door, in which case they were already in big trouble. The last thing she needed was to get kicked out of the tiny house she rented just behind Mrs. Sweeney's two-story home. A strict no-pet policy. How many times had Mrs. Sweeney reminded her of that? Mary Beth had already gotten dumped this week. She didn't need to get evicted too.

  She scoop
ed up Pup and carried the wide-eyed dog to the door.

  A peek through the peephole revealed a familiar face, Jo. Shoot. Not ready to talk to anybody about Todd or the reunion, she'd ignored calls from all three of her friends on the reunion committee. Jo knocked on the door, and Pup barked in a high pitch Mary Beth hadn’t known was possible for any animals besides dolphins.

  Mary Beth had assumed she’d have found a home for the little guy by now. She’d done her best not to get too attached to him, not even giving him a real name, but that brilliant plan had failed. Pup had been there for her through the breakup. She was officially and permanently attached to the pint-sized stray.

  When Pup had finally quieted, Mary Beth heard a car door slam. She hurried to the window and watched as Mrs. Sweeney shuffled from her Buick to the side door of her house. Great. Now, Mary Beth couldn’t hide from Jo, or the next time Jo knocked, the hyper dog would be at it again.

  “Mary Beth,” Jo shouted. “I know you’re in there. I saw your car parked on the street, and your bike is here.”

  Mary Beth walked back to the door and straightened before opening it. “Hey,” she said with all the fake brightness she could muster.

  Jo’s gaze moved from Mary Beth’s ratty T-shirt to the yoga pants she’d been wearing for the past three days. “The girls all agreed that I should stop by to check on you.”

  “Come in.” She stepped farther into the living room, wishing she’d hidden the Little Debbie wrappers on the coffee table. “You didn’t need to come by. I’m fine.”

  Jo stepped inside, her dark hair in its signature short crop. “You missed our meeting, and you didn’t answer our calls. That isn’t like you.”

  Mary Beth tucked a strand of hair that had escaped her messy ponytail behind her ear. Her dirty blond hair was now a literal description. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have flaked out on you or the rest of the committee. I’ve been busy with work, and I just needed a break.”

  “How was your big date with Todd?” The pinched expression on Jo’s face told her she already suspected the answer.

  “Fine,” Mary Beth said, but her voice cracked.

  Jo stared at her. “Fine?”

  Pup licked her chin, and Mary Beth sighed. She couldn’t lie to Jo. “Todd and I decided to take a little break.”

  Jo gasped. “Oh, sweetie. You broke up? What happened?”

  Her face hot with embarrassment, Mary Beth set Pup on the beat up wood floors. She swallowed, trying to keep control of her emotions. “It’s okay. He said he wanted to talk to me about something important. Since we were going to the restaurant where we went on our first date, I just assumed…” She lowered herself onto the edge of the couch, and all of her energy drained out of her. “I’m so stupid.”

  “You thought he was proposing?” Jo whispered as she sat beside her. “What kind of jerk takes someone to the place of their first date to break up with them?”

  The kind who never remembered details like that. The kind who decided to take a job in California without even telling his girlfriend that he’d applied or flown out for an interview. At dinner, he’d announced he’d accepted a job offer and that a long distance relationship wouldn’t be fair to either of them. He also hadn’t invited her to move with him. “I’m sure you understand why I can’t be at the reunion. You can explain it to the other girls, can’t you?”

  “Not go? But we’ve been planning this for months,” Jo said. “You have to be there.”

  Mary Beth put her head in her hands. “I can’t show up alone. It would be a remake of prom night.” Mary Beth, in all her awkward, nerdy teenager glory, had talked about her out-of-town date for weeks. When he’d gotten food poisoning on the day of prom and couldn’t take her, she’d been a laughingstock. Everyone thought she’d made him up.

  “You won’t be alone,” Jo said. “You’ll be with me, Morgan, and Angela. Don’t tell me this is about Harper. I’m sure she’s forgotten all about the bet. It was ten years ago.”

  Even if it weren’t for the bet with Harper, Mary Beth would be the biggest punch line of the night if she showed up to the reunion without a date after telling everyone about Todd. “You’ll all have dates.” All three of them had found great guys over the past few months.

  “Then, we’ll just have to find you a date, won’t we?”

  “It’s too late for that. The reunion is less than two weeks away.”

  Jo took Mary Beth’s laptop from the coffee table and opened it.

  “What are you doing?” Mary Beth asked.

  “Dating sites found us our perfect matches. We can find you one too.”

  Mary Beth stood. “No way. I’m not doing online dating.”

  Jo stared up at her. “You were pushing for us to use a dating site, but it’s not good enough for you?”

  “That’s not what I’m saying. There’s a big difference between a serious boyfriend and a random date I’ve only known for a couple of weeks.”

  “You were in on the pact. You said that if things didn’t work out between you and Todd, that you would sign up too. Well, now you’re single.”

  “Sure, I said that when we’d only been dating a couple of months. I didn’t know we would break up two weeks before the reunion.”

  Jo grabbed her hand and pulled her back down to the couch. “This’ll be good for you. You can’t skip the reunion.” Jo typed on the keyboard, her eyes wide. “And if you show up with a guy like this, no one will care.” She turned the laptop toward Mary Beth. “You can’t deny that this guy is hot. He’s got a Chris Evans thing going for him, don’t you think?”

  “Jo, cut it out,” Mary Beth said. She wasn’t interested…though he did actually look a lot like the guy who played Captain America. “Besides, you’re not supposed to be looking at men on a dating sight. What about Carter?” Jo and Carter had met months ago online.

  “Carter’s hot too. I’m purely looking for you now.” Her attention moved back to the screen. “His name is Christian. He lives in a town nearby. He’s an engineer. He’s close to his family and loves Jesus.” She wiggled her eyebrows at Mary Beth. “What more do you need?”

  “He’s probably a foot shorter than me.” It was shallow, and Mary Beth knew it, but when you were six feet tall you had to consider these things.

  “You have to keep an open mind.”

  “He doesn't have to be taller, but I'd like him to be in the same airspace. Besides, I don’t need a date. I’m just going to skip it.”

  “Don’t you want to see everybody? Don’t you want them to know what a fabulous life you have now?”

  Mary Beth gave a weak laugh and looked down at her yoga pants with the—what was that? A Dorito stain? “Yeah, if they could only see me now.” But she wasn’t that same awkward teenager she used to be. Back then, she’d been taller than even the boys, and she’d played trombone in the marching band. But things were different now. She owned a successful music lesson studio. She had great friends and a good life, but what she didn’t have was a date to the reunion.

  “Here’s another one,” Jo squinted at the computer. “How do you feel about a guy being in a heavy metal band? You would have the love of music in common.”

  Mary Beth just stared at her.

  Jo groaned, leaning her head back. “Come on. You’ve been looking forward to this. Don’t let Todd ruin it for you.”

  It was true. Todd had already ruined plenty for her. “I’ll think about it.”

  Jo clicked on the computer, and the photo of the Jesus-loving engineer returned to the screen. “What could it hurt? He might turn out to be Mr. Right.”

  Mary Beth seriously doubted that, but maybe if she went out on a date, she could keep Jo and the rest of the planning committee off her back. Maybe even luck out and meet someone who could help her hang onto a shred of her pride at the reunion.

  * * *

  Christian glanced up from the lantern on the workbench in his garage. His sister climbed out of her car parked at the curb.

 
“Hey, Lori. What are you doing here?” When his sister showed up unannounced, she usually had something that needed to be fixed or their mother was behind the visit.

  Her dark hair in a low ponytail, Lori wore her typical uniform of workout gear, even though he’d never known Lori to actually work out. She stepped inside the garage and put a hand on her hip. “Mom called me,” she said. “Freaking out because she thinks you’re dead out in the wilderness somewhere. I told her I’d come check on you.”

  He tightened the tiny screw that attached the solar panel to the case. “She sent you to do her dirty work, huh? She knows I don’t carry my phone around constantly.” And that he ignored it the rest of the time. How did people actually enjoy being leashed to those devices?

  “You’re exactly where I told her you’d be—in this dirty garage, tinkering with all your camping junk.” Lori held her phone out to him. “Call her. Let her know you’re alive.”

  He held his hands up. “Just because I moved back doesn’t mean I need you two checking up on me nonstop.” He’d moved back to his hometown because he could rent a house for practically nothing and spend all of his time working to launch his business. Having his sister only a few miles away was a bonus. Having his mom only a few miles away was a liability. He loved her, but she had very different ideas about what direction his life should take. He turned his attention back to the screw. “I’m a grown man, in case you haven’t noticed.”

  “That scruff you need to shave proves that, but I’m sick of being the go-between with you and Mom.” Lori slid the phone on top of the panel. “You deal with her for a while.”

  Their mother had a knack for thinking anything that wasn’t her idea was a bad idea. Lori dealt with it by doing whatever she could to keep their mom happy. Christian, on the other hand, coped by telling her as little about what was going on in his life as he could get away with. “I don’t need her giving me another lecture about how I’m throwing my life away, and how I’m going to die alone.” He held the phone out to Lori. When she didn’t take it, he left it on the edge of the workbench.