Secretly Matched

by Marie Higgins

  When he returned to his father’s room, the television was on and his father was watching the game show again. Calvin chuckled and shook his head.

  “Here, Pop. I got you an apple juice.”

  His father swung around and stared at him with blank eyes. Calvin’s heart wrenched. There was no recognition in his father’s eyes now.

  “Do I know you?” his father asked.

  Calvin’s smile was weak when he handed the juice to his father. “I work here.” He winked. “I’m just bringing your drink.”

  His father took the small container away and stared in confusion at the drink. “Do I like apple juice?”

  “It’s your favorite.”

  “Oh.” He set the juice on the small table next to his recliner and turned back toward the television.

  Calvin’s eyes burned with unshed tears, but at least he’d gotten to talk to his father for a few minutes. Those moments were priceless, and he’d always remember them.

  If only he could bring Rayne here to meet his father and catch him while he remembered. But Calvin didn’t dare. One thing was for sure, though, he needed to find a way to win her love. And soon!

  FOURTEEN

  Patience was not one of Rayne’s virtues. Especially when she had to wait all day to tell Calvin how much she loved him.

  After work, she hurried home, only to find the place empty. Not knowing how long she had to get things ready for her surprise, she rushed around the kitchen, making dinner. She’d ordered 90 yellow roses with red-trim and had those sitting in vases all around the living room. She’d turned on some romantic music, just like they’d played at the restaurant.

  While dinner – an Italian dish which was Calvin’s favorite – was warming, she showered and changed into another one of her creations. His favorite color was blue, so she’d chosen a navy-blue form-fitting knee-length dress with a slashed neck, flounced sleeves and a slit on the skirt. She slipped into matching heels and left her hair long and flowing over her shoulders before returning to the kitchen.

  She became restless as the time slowly passed by, and she lost count of how many times she looked out the window. She checked their dinner to make sure it wasn’t drying out, and thankfully, everything still looked moist.

  Just as she was closing the oven door, she heard someone coming up the porch. Her heartbeat hammered out of control, and she ran for the door. Seeing his surprised face when he saw what she’d done would be something to keep in her memory forever.

  She opened the door quickly... and her heart sank. Why was Eddie trying to ruin her life? Again?

  He grinned as his gaze moved slowly over her. “Oh, Pookey-bear, I’ve missed you so much.”

  She silently groaned as a painful throbbing began in her skull. Perhaps the best way to get rid of Eddie once and for all was to tell him the truth.

  “I’m actually glad you’re here. Won’t you come in for a moment? I need to talk to you.”

  As he stepped into the living room, his eyes widened, but then confusion crossed his expression.

  “What’s with all of the flowers?” He rolled his eyes. “Doesn’t Mr. Rich-Pants know that yellow isn’t your favorite color?”

  She gritted her teeth and held back the insult she wanted to fling at him. “It’s my favorite now. In fact, this flower is my favorite.”

  He shrugged. “Yeah, I guess it’s kind of pretty.”

  She left the door open and moved closer to him. “Eddie, I want you to know something.”

  He turned and took her into his arms. She pressed her palms against his chest, not wanting this kind of closeness. When she was finally able to wiggle out of his embrace, she threw him a glare.

  “I was not impressed with those pictures.”

  “What pictures?” His answer was too quick, and he couldn’t fake an innocent look.

  “You know exactly what pictures I’m referring to.” She folded her arms. “I know that Calvin isn’t having an affair, so you might as well stop trying to prove that he is.” She shook her head. “And Rona of all people? Sheesh.” She flipped her hand. “Eddie, the truth is these past three months I’ve realized something about my wonderful husband. He is all I’ve ever wanted, even when I didn’t know what I wanted.” She sighed and smiled. “But he’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

  He scowled. “You’ve got to be kidding! You’re going to give up on us after all I did for you?”

  “Really, Eddie,” she arched an eyebrow, “tell me exactly what you have done because, at this moment, I can’t think of one thing you’ve done for me. You have never treated me like a queen – but Calvin has. You have never thought of others first – but Calvin has. And you have never made my head spin with daydreams of paradise when you kiss me – but Calvin has.”

  “No... no! I don’t believe any of this. He’s brainwashed you.”

  She sighed. “I’m sorry Eddie, but I love Calvin. Now and forever.”

  Eddie’s face grew redder by the second.

  Behind her, the floor creaked. She jumped and spun around. Calvin walked toward her holding a bouquet of red roses. His green eyes sparkled when he gazed at her, and her heartbeat flipped with excitement.

  He looked at Eddie and glared. “Uh, Eddie. I believe that was your cue to leave. And if I hear that you’re still bothering my wife, I will press charges.”

  Eddie grumbled and shuffled his feet, but he didn’t leave. It scared Rayne because he looked angry enough to kill. She prayed Eddie didn’t have that in him, though.

  “You’re brainwashing her,” he snapped at Calvin. “I’ll leave, but I’m taking her with me.”

  “No, Eddie. I’m staying right here with my husband.”

  Calvin’s jaw hardened and he stepped right up to Eddie. “I’m really getting tired of you. You have three seconds to leave my house, or I swear to God, you’ll wish you had left when I first asked.”

  “You don’t scare me.” Eddie pushed Calvin.

  “That’s just too bad.” Calvin pulled back his fist and let it fly until it connected with Eddie’s nose.

  The sound of crunching bone ripped through the air. Rayne cringed, knowing that must have really hurt. But it was Eddie’s own fault for accosting Calvin in his own home.

  Eddie cried out and grabbed his bloody nose. “You’re going to pay for this.” He aimed his threat toward Calvin before scurrying out of the door.

  Rayne rushed behind him and slammed the door. She slapped her hands together in a wiping motion and turned toward Calvin.

  “Good riddance to him. He got what he deserved.”

  Calvin’s handsome smile returned to his face as he slowly walked toward her. She met him halfway. He held out the flowers.

  “These are for you.” He glanced around the room. “But I see you already have some.”

  She grinned. “Actually, those are flowers for you. The ones you bought for me are still in my office at work.”

  “For me?” He set the roses on the coffee table and then slowly scanned the room. “You got me yellow with red-edges?”

  “Yes.” She moved closer to him and touched his arm.

  As he turned, he gathered her in his arms. Immediately, they swayed together with the soft music in the background. Her heartbeat was so fast, she had a hard time breathing, but the tenderness in Calvin’s gaze relaxed her slightly.

  “You’re beautiful,” he said huskily.

  “So are you.” She shifted more comfortably in his arms. “How... much did you hear me tell Eddie?”

  His grin stretched. “Enough.”

  That didn’t tell her anything! Did he hear how much she loved him? Well, he was going to hear it again, anyway.

  She caressed the side of his face and he cuddled his cheek against her palm. His happy expression nearly melted her, and she hoped he could see on her face how happy she was too.

  “Calvin,” her voice squeaked, so she cleared her throat. “I’m sorry that Eddie had to ruin things. I feel so guilty for not s
topping it sooner.”

  “What do you mean? Why do you think you could have stopped him sooner?”

  “Because I should have told Eddie weeks ago that I wasn’t in love with him any longer.”

  “Weeks ago?”

  She nodded. “Weeks. But then I really didn’t admit it to myself until the night we went to that romantic restaurant. So, you see, that’s why I felt guilty.”

  “I don’t want you feeling guilty, especially when it comes to him.”

  “Okay.” She wound both arms loosely around his neck and pressed her cheek against his chest. His heartbeat was as erratic and fast as hers. They continued to sway to the music.

  “Calvin, I’m not sure how much you heard me tell Eddie, but...” She licked her dry lips. “But I... I love you.”

  The swaying stopped and he lifted her chin so that she’d look at him. Love shone in his eyes.

  “I love you, too” he said.

  “You are so wonderful. I don’t know why it took me so long to figure that out.”

  “Because you didn’t want to rush into your new feelings, especially since you were just starting to lose the old feelings.”

  She chuckled lightly. “You’re right. I wanted to make sure you were the man for me.”

  “Rayne, you are the woman for me. I love how you make me feel so alive, but I love more how you make me want to be a better person.”

  “I do?”

  He nodded. “Rayne, I love you so much. I want us to have a real wedding.”

  “But, we did have a real wedding.”

  “Not the kind you’ve dreamed of having. I want us to repeat our vows in a church, in front of God and our family and friends. I want to give you everything you’ve ever wanted because you’ve given me everything I’ve ever wanted.”

  “And what’s that?” As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized what it was.

  “Acceptance... and unconditional love,” he replied.

  “I only share what you have given to me.”

  He covered her mouth and tightened his arms around her. The kiss was even more special than any of the times before because this time she knew she was in love. She deepened the kiss, enjoying his soft sighs and the way he acted as though he couldn’t get enough. Oh, wait... those sighs were coming from her!

  He broke the kiss and trailed his lips down her neck and over her bare collarbone. She shivered with delight.

  “I have some good news,” he muttered in between kisses.

  “Nothing can be better than this.”

  His body shook with silent laughs. “No, nothing is better, but you’re going to want to hear this anyway.”

  His mouth moved up her neck to her ear. He nibbled lightly on her lobe. “Hmm... Do we have to stop kissing?”

  “No.”

  She sighed heavily. “Okay, then tell me.”

  “I heard from the investigator for Sally’s case.” He moved his mouth back up to hers to kiss there before moving back down her neck. “Jeff isn’t very bright. He’s been cheating on his wife, and so now he’ll not get one penny of her money.”

  Rayne gasped and pulled back just enough to look into Calvin’s eyes. “That was fast.”

  He nodded. “As I said, Jeff isn’t very bright. He reminds me of Eddie.”

  She snorted a laugh. “Yeah, they are very similar creatures.”

  “And that’s not all.” He gathered her closer again, moving his mouth back to the crook of her neck.

  She heaved a sigh. “It’s not?”

  “No. Because of what I’ve done so far with Sally’s case, and the effort I’ve put in with the other big case I’m working on,” he moved up to her ear, “the firm is going to make me a partner.”

  “What?” She jumped back again. He gave a huge smile and her heart burst with happiness for him. “Oh, Calvin, that is wonderful.”

  He shook his head. “Not as wonderful as hearing that I’m the best thing that’s ever happened to you, and that you love me completely, now and forever.”

  She laughed and cuddled against him again. “You heard every word I said to Eddie, didn’t you?”

  “Yes.” He caressed her hair. “When I walked in, you were just wiggling out of his arms. I was ready to punch him in the face then, but I’m glad I waited to hear your confession.”

  “Me too.”

  He pulled away from her, dug through his suitcoat pocket and pulled out a small, red-velvet square box. He opened it, showing her the ginormous wedding ring inside. He knelt on one knee.

  “Rayne, will you marry me again? Will you love and cherish me from this day forward and throughout eternity?”

  Tears filled her eyes and she nodded. “Or even longer, if that’s possible.”

  As he stood, she quickly removed the cheap ring he’d given her so that he could slide on the new ring.

  “Calvin, you do know that I love you, not your money, right?”

  “It’s a good thing, because I think your inheritance is more than mine.”

  She laughed and threw her arms around him, holding him close again. He kissed her softly and with so much emotion. Her mind twirled faster and faster. Being with this man would be like living in paradise every day.

  The scent of burning meat touched her senses, and she groaned in humiliation. Thankfully, he was marrying her because he loved her and not for her cooking.

  But... that’s what take-out was for. Right?

  THE END

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  Author’s Bio

  Marie Higgins is an award-winning, best-selling author of clean romance novels that melt your heart and have you falling in love over and over again. Since 2010, she’s published over 50 heartwarming, on-the-edge-of-your-seat romance stories. She’s broadened her readership by writing mystery/suspense, humor, time-travel, paranormal, along with her love for historical romances. Her readers have dubbed her “Queen of Tease” because of all her twists and unexpected endings.

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