Matched For Love (Rocky Mountain Matchmaker Book 3)

by Tamra Baumann

  “Maybe you’d better wait to pass judgment until we see if I fixed it.” He slid out and then stood and turned the water on. They both leaned down, side by side, and waited for a leak to appear. When the pipe stayed dry, she gave him a shoulder bump. “Awesome. Now let’s eat. I’m starving.” She washed her hands, and then Deek did the same.

  It was sweet of him to fix her pipe. She hoped they could become better friends. She’d enjoyed sharing pizza with him the night before.

  Lori grabbed some plates while he unloaded the bags. Little white box after little white box appeared on the faded yellow countertop. The bag was like Mary Poppins’ purse, filled with an impossible number of items. “Should I expect a football team to show up at my door any minute, or are you training to be an Olympic swimmer? There’s enough to feed a small town.”

  He stopped unloading and cringed. “I didn’t know what you’d like, so I just bought one of everything.”

  Lori smiled as she unwrapped pairs of stuck-together wooden chopsticks. “I’m not all that picky when free food shows up at my door, Deek. But thank you. I appreciate it.” She started to pour them both glasses of water. But then for the heck of it, she grabbed a bottle of wine and poured out two glasses. “Did you happen to get any gong bao chicken? That’s my favorite. Well, that and sweet and sour pork.”

  “Yes.” His face lit up. “Those are my favorites too.”

  After they had loaded up their plates, they settled across from each other at the little round table in the nook. Deek asked, “So, how are the kids? Are their fevers any better?”

  Her mouth was full, so she shook her head while she swallowed. “Both running about one hundred two. I think we’ll probably have another sick day tomorrow. Did you get all your business taken care of?”

  “Yes. Thanks to your heroic efforts today, the Universe of Zeldane will defend and defeat the massive invasion from the warriors of Trithor—if the gamer is clever enough. Thank you for saving my contract today. In your honor, I’m going to add a princess to the game and make her look just like you.” He paused for a drink of his wine. “Wait. Did that sound creepy? I didn’t mean it that way. If you’d rather I didn’t—”

  “No. I’m actually a little flattered.” She’d googled Zeldane when she’d gotten home. It was the name of the highly anticipated next installment in one of the most popular video games on the market. “Just make sure I have a fortified castle, so I don’t get killed off. And give me a big closet filled with Louboutins. It’s only fitting for an imaginary princess like me. Real-life Lori has never owned a pair.”

  “Those are the shoes with red soles, right? I went out with a woman once who asked me to buy those for her almost weekly. Then one day I overheard her talking on the phone to a friend. She admitted that she liked that I have a lot of money much more than she liked me. Apparently, I was too much to take sometimes. I didn’t even see that one coming. I’m not always the best with social cues.” He took a bite as he seemed to ponder that failed relationship. After he had swallowed, he said, “But you, princess-who-defiantly-wears-yoga pants, will have complete editorial control over the closet.”

  “I’d expect nothing less for the use of my name and likeness.” She took a bite of the best sweet and sour pork she’d ever had. “Wow. Emily and I are going to have to go back to this place. Everything is awesome. Or am I just so hungry, my taste buds would think cardboard was good right now?”

  “It’s always good. And they’re even open late. Annie used to crave it when she was pregnant with Asher. I made so many late-night runs that I’m now on a first-name basis with the owner.”

  Lori smiled inwardly as she sipped her wine.

  How sweet was that? Joe hadn’t been home most of the time she’d been pregnant. It would’ve been nice to be pampered a bit.

  After a few minutes in comfortable silence as they chowed down their delicious food, she asked, “Any progress on the get-Annie-back front?”

  He shook his head. “She was supposed to call this afternoon. Every Wednesday, I have to text and remind her, but I was so busy today, I forgot. I hope Asher wasn’t too disappointed.”

  “He didn’t mention it if that makes you feel any better.” Sad that Annie didn’t make Asher a priority.

  Lori considered for a moment. A guy who admitted to not reading people well could probably use a little help getting Asher’s mom back. “Maybe you should stop reminding her. I used to remind my husband about things all the time until I finally realized he had no reason to remember important things regarding me because I did it for him.”

  Deek grabbed his empty plate and took it to the sink. “I’m not following.”

  “He relied on me, but then because he did that, it made me feel like I was being taken for granted. And it was my own fault.” She joined him at the sink and began loading the dishwasher.

  He handed her his rinsed plate. “That makes sense. But I can’t do that to Asher.”

  “I get it. I used to make excuses for Joe to Emily too. He liked to play golf on his few days off rather than spend time alone with his toddler. He said he never knew what he was supposed to do with her. And if I was there, he didn’t see the need for both of us to have a ruined day off.”

  “Ouch.” Deek turned and leaned back against the counter. “You let him live after a statement like that?”

  “Oh, I let him have it, all right. But then, you can’t change other people, can you?” She sighed as she loaded the dirty lunch and breakfast dishes from earlier into the washer too. “Joe was so clueless sometimes, but I loved him. And Emily figured it out anyway. She took it in stride as Joe just being Joe. Kids are smarter and more resilient than we give them credit for.”

  He crossed his arms as a frown formed. “When I was debating what to do with a sick kid today, I was thinking how crappy it is that Annie takes no responsibility for Asher. I’m going to call her when I get home tonight. Lay the law down, you know? Either she comes back, or…”

  “Or, what? She’s Asher’s mom. It’s not like you can break up and never see her again like you did the Louboutin woman. Don’t go in hot. I know you’re frustrated, but it’ll just make things worse. Take it from a hothead like me.”

  “So Princess Lori has a temper, huh? That’ll make for a better character.” He leaned down and whispered, “Maybe I should make you one of the hot warrior women instead?”

  When a slow, sexy smile formed on his lips, her stomach clenched. He was so damned good-looking. And the guy didn’t even know it. That made him even sexier to her.

  She whispered back, “No, thanks. I’d rather have those shoes.” She should lean away, but he smelled so good, she didn’t want to. The yummy aroma of leather, wine, and sexy man wafted from him.

  What was she doing? He wanted someone else. She leaned away and broke their staring match. “So, do you want another glass of wine?” Liquor was the last thing her libido needed, but she couldn’t come up with anything better while he was looking at her like that. She needed to tamp back those formally dormant urges that were raging like a wildfire inside her. Deek was not available. She understood that in her head, but her hormones weren’t listening. She needed to go on that date with Jason. Maybe if things went well, she’d be able to bury her deep-seated physical desire for Deek.

  Deek wanted another glass of wine, but he better not. Lori was way too easy to talk with. Besides, she’d looked away and seemed uncomfortable all of a sudden. Or maybe he was just boring her. “Thanks, but I better get going.” He laid his empty wineglass in the dishwasher and then headed for the den to gather up Asher.

  “Thanks for a great dinner, Deek. And for leftovers to last a week. Do you want to take some along?” Lori trotted along beside him, and her smile was back. Probably relieved he was finally going to leave her alone.

  “Nope. You earned them. Anytime you need a sitter I’ll return the favor.”

  Her forehead scrunched. “Well, actually, are you busy on Friday night next week?”

&
nbsp; “Yeah. I mean no, I’m not busy.” He hefted his sleeping kid off the couch. “You have a big date or something?”

  She nodded. “I do.” Then she crossed her arms and frowned like Asher did when he wasn’t thrilled about doing something.

  He wasn’t sure why the thought of her going on a date didn’t sit well. That she didn’t seem happy about it made him feel better, but it was none of his business. And he owed her a huge favor

  “Then I’m your man. Maybe I’ll take the kids to eat and then we’ll go to that new place that helps them write their own book if that’s okay?”

  “That’d be great. Emily has been bugging me to take her for weeks. I’ll send some money along.”

  “No. You probably saved me from losing hundreds of thousands of dollars today, so it’s my treat.” He headed for the door as Asher snoozed on his shoulder.

  She stopped dead in her tracks and blinked up at him. “You make that much money making up games? Maybe I should switch my major.” She ran ahead of him, grabbed Asher’s coat from the rack, and then opened the front door.

  Crap. He shouldn’t have said that. That was the second time he’d mentioned money in the last ten minutes. Now he’d never know if she was being nice to him for his wealth like so many other people in his life. That was why he needed to get Annie back. She’d never cared much about money.

  He took the coat Lori held out and wrapped it around Asher’s shoulders. “Text me what time I should pick Emily up next Friday.”

  Lori shivered in the cold air the open door let inside. “You don’t have to go out of your way. I can drop her off at your house.”

  He’d sworn he wouldn’t let another woman see his three-million-dollar home either. Not until he was sure he wouldn’t get used for his money again, at least. “It’s no trouble. It’ll be on the way.”

  Lori hugged her middle to stave off the cold. “Okay. I’ll text you that afternoon. Asher can have something for his fever in a half hour. Good night.”

  “Thanks. Night.” He carried Asher to the car, wishing for his own coat he’d left on the front seat. Asher finally woke up a little, making it easier to strap him in before he fell right back asleep. Then Deek slid behind the wheel.

  It was later than they usually talked, but maybe he’d call Annie anyway. As he headed for home, Deek ran words around his brain to say to Annie to convince her to come home after her dig finished. He needed to stay calm like Lori suggested, and just lay out the facts. That ought to work better with Annie, because she rarely lost her temper, outwardly, like he did.

  After they were home and Asher was tucked into bed, Deek picked up his cell to video chat with Annie. She was supposed to be on her short break and back in her meager living quarters for the week before she went back to the field.

  Finally, after five rings, she answered, rubbing the sleep from her eyes as she walked down a hallway. Away from her bedroom’s closed door. “It’s late, Deek. What’s wrong?”

  He wanted to ask if she remembered she was supposed to have called her son but refrained. “Nothing. Asher was sick today, so I forgot to text my weekly reminder to call. Sorry about that.”

  “I can’t believe I forgot. We’ve just been so busy here. I’ll try to call tomorrow. Is Asher okay?” She frowned as she sat on an old couch in the living room.

  Wait. Why would she have gotten out of bed? His stomach sank as possibilities rushed into his head. “Do you have company?”

  “Yes.” Her head tilted to the side. “But I don’t understand the upset expression on your face, Deek. We both agreed we could sleep with others. It doesn’t mean anything. It’s just sex. You’ve been with other women since I’ve been gone.”

  “Not since we decided we’d try to make our relationship work, three months ago. I thought no sleeping with others was implied.” He felt like he was going to be sick.

  Annie’s blue eyes just stared back at his as she processed his words through that damned logical brain of hers.

  Her blonde hair was rumpled too, and he didn’t want to think about how it’d gotten that way.

  Finally, she said, “I’m sorry. I guess I misunderstood our agreement. But we talked about this, remember? You should sleep with other women, Deek. That way we’ll be sure when it’s time to settle down. Right?”

  He’d been sure since she’d become pregnant. It was his responsibility to marry her and be a good father. “Wrong.” Hot anger welled in his throat, but then Lori’s voice in his head reminded him not to lose his temper. “What it’s time for is for me to show you what you’re missing. We both know that, empirically, we’re a perfect match on paper. You’ve just forgotten it. Now go kick that guy’s ass out of the bed I paid for. I’ll call you tomorrow. And every day after that until you remember why you used to love me.”

  “I —”

  He quickly disconnected the call before she could disagree with him. She’d said she’d loved him once. Maybe she’d been a little drunk at the time, but it’d been enough for him. It’d been the only time anyone had ever said the “L” word to him, beside Asher, so he remembered it distinctly.

  After tossing his phone on the coffee table, he stood to pace. His gut ached at the thought of losing her. He couldn’t let that happen, for Asher’s sake. But what could he do to win her back that he hadn’t already tried? He needed some big-time help.

  Maybe Lori was still up. He scooped his phone from the coffee table and started to hit dial, but stopped. He didn’t want to wake Emily. He texted instead. 9-1-1. Can I hire you? Annie had another man in her bed when I called just now. He stared at the phone, begging Lori to see the text. After a few minutes, she replied.

  Yikes. That’s not good. But you don’t have to hire me. I’m happy to give you some tips.

  I insist. I’ll even pay double if you help me figure out what I’m going to say when I call her tomorrow. And every day after until I win her back. I don’t know why I said I’d do that, but now I have to come up with a bunch of clever crap to say to her.

  I charge four times my usual rate if I have to come up with CLEVER crap. But because we’re friends, I’ll cut you a break.

  Relief washed over him. For the help and because she still thought of them as friends. He hadn’t been sure when she’d seemed so uncomfortable earlier.

  Thanks. But if I do dumb stuff to annoy you, please just tell me, okay? I need your Princess Lori powers to save my kingdom and keep it intact.

  A few moments passed with no reply. Had that been a stupid thing to say? Had he just messed up what he was trying to save with her? He should have just said thanks and signed off for the night instead of being such a geek.

  Sorry. Emily woke up. She needed more medicine. Asher does too, by the way. And I’ll be sure to let you know if your nerdy super brain annoys me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. But now I have to go. Talk tomorrow?

  Sounds good. Thanks.

  Don’t forget Asher’s medicine :0)

  On it. He tossed his phone aside and then went to the kitchen to get the children’s pain reliever.

  He heaved out a long breath as he headed up the stairs to Asher’s room. Hiring Lori was a good plan. It’d work.

  It had to.

  4

  COME TO THE DARK SIDE—WE HAVE COOKIES. AND CARTOONS.

  At three o’clock on the dot the next day, Deek and Asher stood on Lori’s doorstep. Deek wore an open coat that showed off his T-shirt that said: Always give 100%—unless you’re giving blood, and Asher was bundled up appropriately for a sick kid. She opened the door wider in invitation.

  “Hi guys. Come in.”

  She closed the door after they trooped inside and hung up their coats on the rack by the front door. “How’s the appetite today, Asher? Are you hungry for a snack?”

  Deek answered, “He hasn’t been hungry all day. But whatcha got?” When he grinned, she couldn’t help but smile right back.

  There was something so hot and yet so innocent and kind about Deek. He looked like a macho, tough guy bui
ld-wise, but then all sorts of goodness just radiated through his gorgeous turquoise-colored eyes. Annie was a fool to let him run loose in the wild. Some smart woman was going to snag and bag him soon if Annie didn’t hurry up and come to her senses.

  “Emily said she wasn’t hungry either, so I was forced to dig out the secret weapon from my rusty arsenal. I baked chocolate chip cookies.”

  Asher’s face brightened. “Yum.”

  Deek’s brows drew together. “I try to limit Asher’s sugar intake, so we only have cookies on special occasions.”

  Lori led the way to the den where Emily was watching an animated movie. “Then you guys are in luck. That I actually baked makes this a special occasion. How about just one?” She glanced over her shoulder to get Deek’s permission. He stood with his hands on his hips, scowling at what was playing on TV as if it were porn. “What?”

  “I’ll be right back, Asher. I need to talk to Lori in the kitchen about something.” Deek slipped his large hand around her waist and gently tugged her against his hard body. He whispered, “They watched cartoons all day yesterday and now one of those silly animal movies?”

  His hot breath on her ear was warming other parts of her and made it hard to concentrate. “If it makes you feel any better, they were both so sick that neither of them even cracked a smile yesterday. It was embarrassing when I was the only one laughing.”

  As Deek continued to guide her to the kitchen, she added, “That was a joke, by the way. I probably only really laughed out loud once.”

  They got to the kitchen, and Deek quickly released her as if he’d finally realized she’d been snuggled against his side. He lifted his hands in frustration, but then let them drop to his sides. “Fine. He can have one cookie. It’s just that we have rules in our house, Lori.”

  Like she didn’t?

  She crossed her arms. “Rules are essential. But I don’t see anything wrong with making an exception when they’re sick. Are you this strict with Asher all the time?”

  Deek ran a hand through his thick blond hair and stalked to the table in the nook. After he had dropped into a chair, he said, “Maybe I’m a little hard on Asher, but I don’t want him to end up like me. That’s all.”