An Unexpected Match (17 page)

“Lizzie,” his daughter corrected, looking up at the adults.

He cleared his throat. “Lizzie.”

His mother raised an eyebrow but turned toward the kitchen. “You're probably starving, and that mean old dad won't even feed you.”

The little girl giggled as she trailed after her grandmother into the kitchen, while Matthew stowed their coats in the closet. Within minutes, Amy had the child seated in the dining room with a full plate of, not peanut butter, but leftover roast beef, roasted potatoes, green beans and a thick slice of chocolate cake.

“Don't you want anything?”

He shook his head. “I'm not hungry.”

“I didn't figure you would be. You look terrible.”

“Thanks. I came over here just for a pick-me-up like that.”

Patting her granddaughter on the head, Amy headed out of the dining room and into the formal living room. When they were out of his daughter's earshot, she asked her son, “What's with
Lizzie
in there?”

“Haley called her that, and now she's insisting that Mrs. White call her that, too.”

“How's that working out, anyway?”

“Mrs. White has the patience of Job. I'll give her that.”

“That good, huh?”

“Elizabeth's just having a difficult time with the transition. She wants Haley.”

Having changed out of her Sunday clothes into a soft pink tracksuit, Amy took a seat on the sofa and patted the
space next to hers. “Can you blame her? You want her, too.”

He studied her as he lowered himself on the cushion. “Is it that obvious?”

“I saw the way you looked at her in church. As if part of your heart was missing.”

“Great.” He planted his elbows on the thighs of his dress trousers and held his head in his hands. “Everyone in church could probably tell something was wrong.”

“I don't think so. Even if they could, they probably also saw the way she was looking at you when she was sure you wouldn't notice.”

He swallowed. “Oh.”

“I saw Haley a few days ago, as well. She looked almost as bad as you do.”

“Almost?”

“No. She looked exactly as bad as you do.”

“I'm glad you're enjoying this.”

His mother had been chuckling until then, but she suddenly grew serious. “I'm not enjoying this. It doesn't make me happy to see you miserable.”

“I'm not miserable.”

She continued as if she wasn't buying his story. “I don't know why it surprised Trina and me at first. Of course, you would choose Haley.

“She's like a breath of fresh air when you hadn't slowed down enough to breathe in a long time. Her zest for life and her effortless faith are contagious. And she loves Elizabeth nearly as much as you do. What can attract a young father more than that?”

Everything she'd said was true, and yet Matthew still studied his mother in surprise, waiting for her to make some pithy remark. After a long pause, he realized she
wasn't going to make one. “I don't get it. Why the change of heart?”

“No change of heart. I've always loved Haley.”

“But not for me.”

She closed her eyes and shook her head, but the smile never left her lips. “I was too focused on my own plans to see it. Anyway, as wonderful as she is, Caroline wouldn't have been a good match for you because it would have been like marrying a copy of yourself in feminine outfits.”

Any other time, he would have laughed at the image her comment put in his head, but this wasn't a laughing matter. “None of that matters now. I figured out what I wanted too late.”

“It doesn't have to be.”

“Too late? I think it is.” Leaning back into the couch, he blew out a frustrated breath. “It might sound corny, but I feel as if God sent Haley into my life to awaken my spirit. It's as if He knew that Elizabeth and I needed joy and even chaos in our ordered lives, and He wanted Haley to bring those things to us.”

“That does…sound corny.” She grinned. “But it's also sweet. We know how you feel now, so what are you going to do about it?”

“I wanted to be with her, but as soon as we took a first step at getting close, I got scared and pushed her away. I couldn't help myself. Now I've messed everything up so badly that it can't be fixed.” Even he could hear the resignation in his voice, so he didn't assume she couldn't hear it, too. He stared down at his hands that rested in his lap.

“I wish I'd done things differently. I'm so sorry,” Amy said.

Matthew glanced up at her in surprise. “What are you talking about?”

“After my divorce, I shouldn't have relied on you the way I did. You were just a kid yourself. I made you grow up too fast.”

“It's okay, Mom. I wanted to help.”

“I'm sorry that your father and Stacey left you and that your losses have made it difficult for you to trust anyone else.”

“I don't know why you're bringing all of this up now.” He shook his head. “It's water under the bridge, anyway.”

“Is it?” Her gaze seemed to look right through him. “I just don't want your past and the mistakes I have made ruin your future.”

“I think I might have already done that.”

“Well,
undo
it. Another thing Haley has brought into your life is an example of true faith. Maybe you should have a little faith in Haley…in her ability to forgive.”

“Do you really think she could?”

“You'll never know until you ask.”

He shrugged. She was right. He'd known all along what he needed to do. He should have been at Haley's right now, pleading his case with the woman he loved, instead of coming here to have his mother bolster his courage. Well, he'd spent too much of his life settling for the ordinary instead of striving for the wonderful. No matter how much he had to lose, he was taking that risk now.

He stood up from the couch and strode to the doorway. Turning back, he indicated the room down the hall with a tilt of his head. “Would you mind watching her for a few hours?”

“You mean
Lizzie?
” She waited for his smile. “Of course. Now go convince Haley you're worth all the trouble.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

He slipped into his coat. His hand on the door handle, he turned back to his mother. “Thanks, Mom.”

“Don't you find it ironic that you would come to me for relationship advice? I wasn't the best role model for making relationships last.”

Matthew leaned down to place a kiss on his mother's cheek. “I wouldn't have asked for advice from anyone else.”

R
yan and Hanks were back at it again on the Scotts' television, this time in
You've Got Mail
as business competitors by day and e-mail buddies at night. Although this time someone else was on the other side of Haley's popcorn bowl, her movie partner didn't have as much tolerance for romantic film fests.

“How can you watch this romance stuff all day long?” Trina reached in the bowl for another handful of popcorn.

“Is this coming from the romantic who thought she should set up her daughters with her best friend's sons?”

Trina leaned past the bowl and patted Haley's sweats-clad knee. She hadn't slept in her outfit this time; she'd only changed into it after church. That had to be an improvement, so maybe she would get over Matthew one day after all.

She'd even survived church today, with him right up front, but she didn't want anyone to report the number of times she'd looked at him when she should have been studying her Bible. That might have tested her new recovery theory.

When the doorbell rang, Haley turned to her mother. “Are you expecting anyone?”

“Not me.” She lifted an eyebrow. “You?”

Haley shook her head. “I'll get it.” She swallowed her anxiety and tamped back her racing thoughts as she stood up from the couch and started to the front of the house.

She shouldn't allow herself to jump to conclusions. No matter how much she had wished it, nothing had changed between her and Matthew that would make it possible for them to be together. Matthew wouldn't be rushing to her doorstep like one of those men in her movies. Even if he had no fear of trust, he just wasn't the groveling type.

When she reached the front door, Haley exhaled slowly to relax herself. In the unlikely chance that it
was
Matthew standing on her doorstep, she didn't want to hyperventilate and pass out at his feet. The sight when she opened the door made her gasp.

His hair was spikier than she had remembered, and last time she'd seen him he'd still been wearing a winter coat instead of a jacket, but standing there was the man who'd asked her to be his wife and then rescinded the offer.

“Tom?” She choked out the word.

“Hi, Hales. You look great.”

“What…what are you doing here?”

“Who is it, sweetheart? Oh, hello, Tom.”

The sound of her mother's voice surprised Haley as she hadn't heard her approach, but if her ex-fiancé's appearance shocked Trina at all, she did not show it.

“Where are your manners, Haley? Invite him in.”

“Oh, sorry. Would you like to come inside?”

He nodded, chewing his lip. At least she wasn't the only one who was nervous. Part of her would have preferred that he only be allowed to speak to her from outside the
storm door, but they still had unfinished business, and he must have realized it, too.

Opening the door for him, she led him into the living room, the same room where she had read
the letter.
Indicating for him to sit on the sofa, she sat opposite him in the side chair. Her mother, who usually hovered too much, seemed to have disappeared altogether.

Tom sat staring at her with longing in his eyes. “It's been so long.”

“Yes, it has.” She paused, waiting for him to say more, but when he didn't, she tried again. “You haven't told me why you're here. I already returned all the gifts. I haven't heard a word from you in more than a month, and now you just show up here—”

“I'm sorry.” He paused, shaking his head. “For a lot of things.”

“None of that matters now.”

“Of course it does, Hales. I don't know what happened, but I developed this huge case of cold feet.” He cleared his throat. “I want you to know I'm over it now. The cold feet I mean.”

“I don't know what you're saying.” Maybe she didn't know for certain, but she had a good idea, and she hoped she was wrong.

“I've realized I can't live without you. I was wrong to call off our wedding. Will you please forgive me and marry me?”

Uneasiness brought Haley out of her chair, and she crossed to the window, pausing to look outside. An offer that she might have considered a month ago seemed outrageous now.

Gathering her courage, she turned back to the man she'd once agreed to marry. The tears in her eyes were for
his sadness rather than hers. “What you said in the letter was right. We aren't right for each other. Yes, we love each other as Christian brothers and sisters, but we don't share the kind of love that could sustain a marriage.”

“You're wrong.” He came to stand next to her by the window, but then he paused as if a thought had struck him. “That other man, the first love you told me about. You've never gotten over him, have you?”

“No, I haven't.” She doubted she ever could, either, but she chose not to share that with Tom. He was her friend; she didn't want to hurt him unnecessarily.

After asking him to wait for her on the porch, Haley hurried upstairs. There was something she needed to give him. She ached inside for having to deliver such hurtful news, but talking to him had cemented in her mind that God had someone planned for Tom and for her in the future. Though her heart cried now for Matthew, she believed that if he wasn't the right choice, then God would comfort her until He revealed His plan.

 

Matthew was still practicing the speech he would give Haley when he started up the walk to Mrs. Scott's house, a bouquet of peach roses in his arms. He stopped cold as he watched Haley approach a man he didn't recognize on the porch. She reached for the man's hand and pressed something into it before reaching her arms out to hug him.

Something inside Matthew went cold. The man had to be Tom, Haley's ex-fiancé whom she had admitted she would have married if he'd been willing. He wondered now if this Tom had experienced a change of heart. Had she, as well?

Matthew swallowed, but he couldn't get past the knot that had formed in his throat. He'd known there was a pos
sibility that he'd come to his senses too late, but here was proof. This man probably had realized his mistake, as well, and he'd stepped to the plate before Matthew ever had the chance for his epiphany.

As Haley pulled back from the man's embrace, she turned her head and caught sight of Matthew. She jumped back even farther, her expression filled with guilt. Haley had no reason to feel guilty for making her choice, but that didn't mean that Matthew wanted to see the two of them together as he berated himself for waiting too long to make up his mind.

“Oh, Matthew. Meet Tom Jeffries.” She turned to the man she had just released. “Tom, this is Matthew Warren.”

At the confirmation of his suspicion regarding the man's identity, Matthew turned and walked away, the flowers feeling like a ridiculous prop in his hands. He could hear the sounds of footsteps behind him.

“Matthew. Wait.”

But he couldn't stop. What would he say when he turned back to her? Would he be forced to congratulate Haley on her choice when she should have been with him? Could he bear knowing she would spend her future in another man's arms?

“Oh,
that
Matthew.”

At the other man's words, Matthew stopped and turned back again. Tom still stood on the porch, but instead of staying with him, Haley was halfway between them, clearly following him.

“
Which
Matthew?” he couldn't help asking.

He looked to Tom for an answer, but Haley started toward him instead, her eyes shining. She stopped just a few steps away from him.

“The one I've loved since I was just fourteen.” She
paused as if searching for courage. “The one I still love, with feelings that are mature now and more real and overwhelming than they were then.”

Matthew blinked. She'd chosen him. He couldn't have been happier or more relieved. He took two long strides and clasped Haley to him, one hand sinking into that wonderful mess of hair while his other hand released his hold on the roses. He felt right inside for the first time since he'd willingly let her out of his arms before. She loved him. She'd spoken the words aloud, without fear. He admired her bravery. For a long time, he couldn't let go, so he was relieved that her arms held him just as tightly.

Though he could have held her like that forever, he realized there were still things to be said. No matter what happened from this point on, she deserved to know what was in his heart. He pulled back until she was just out of his reach, his arms falling to his sides.

“I've had time to think and to pray about what you said to me, and I know now I can't allow my fears to stop me from having the life I want.” He searched her gaze and found understanding there. He wanted and needed more than that. “Trust doesn't come easily to me, but I'm trying to learn how.”

“Good for you. I'm glad.”

“There is something I need you to know.” As he paused, it was all he could do not to take both of her hands in his. But she needed to be free to walk away if she chose to. “I love you, and I always will, no matter where you go.”

“Where I go?” She lifted an eyebrow, appearing amused by the concept. “I'm exactly where I want to be.”

The next thing he knew, Haley's arms were around him, and she was stretching up to press her sweet lips to his. Nothing had ever felt more precious or given him more hope.

She pulled back but was still close enough to join her hands with his.

“My heart has always led me back to you. I was always searching for my place in the world, and now I know it is with you and Elizabeth.”

Matthew couldn't help smiling at that. “If you call her Lizzie, I think we can work something out.”

Her confused look only made his smile spread.

“Some crazy sitter started calling her that, and now my daughter has decided to change her name.”

“Oh. Sorry.”

“Don't be sorry. I'm not. About anything except wasting too much time to get to this point.”

“What point?”

“The point where I drop on one knee and ask you to marry me.” Instead of waiting for her reaction, he did as he said he would, lowering himself right on the walk. He did use her hand for balance, but he figured that would be better than tipping over in the lawn.

Haley didn't speak but stared down at him wide-eyed.

“Haley Scott, I didn't know how to live until I met you, and I didn't really know about love until I saw how easily you showered it on my daughter and me.” He shifted from one knee to the other because the first was beginning to ache. “Will you be my wife and make my family complete?”

“I don't know. I've only waited all my life for you to ask that question. What do you think I should say?”

“Hopefully, yes.” He switched knees again. “And hopefully soon because my knees are killing me.”

“Well, when you put it like that, how can I resist? Yes, I'll marry you.” She gave him a mischievous grin. “Just try to stop me.”

Matthew gathered her to him again, her form fitting so perfectly in the circle of his arms. With infinite care, he lowered his mouth to hers. His kiss was one of purpose, one of promises he intended to keep. A rush of warmth filled his heart. So this was how it felt for a man to have everything he ever wanted and even everything he never knew he needed.

At the sound of applause behind them, Matthew and Haley pulled away from each other in surprise. On the porch, Trina and Tom stood watching them, a virtual fan club. Haley put her hand to her mouth, clearly embarrassed for having experienced such a private moment in front of her former fiancé. Matthew had to give the guy credit for still wanting Haley to be happy.

“If you need an engagement ring, I have one to spare.” Tom reached in his pocket and withdrew a large diamond solitaire, clearly the item Haley had handed him earlier.

Matthew started to answer, but another voice from behind him stopped him again.

“That's kind of you, but he won't be needing that.”

He turned to the sound of his mother's voice and found her standing at the curb and clasping Elizabeth's hand. The child held out an old-fashioned jeweler's box in her free hand.

“As the oldest son, Matthew inherited his grandmother's engagement ring,” Amy explained. “We brought it over in case you wanted to give it to your future bride.”

“How did you even know…” It became obvious to him how his mother would have known that the situation was progressing nicely at the Scott house. Mrs. Scott still held her cell phone.

“I have my sources,” Amy said with a laugh.

“Couldn't let this happen without both matchmakers in attendance,” Trina chimed.

Letting go of her grandmother's hand, Elizabeth carefully carried the jeweler's box to her father. “Daddy, are you and Miss Haley really getting married?”

“Yes, we are,” he told her. “Isn't that great?”