Irresistible in idaho: At the Altar, #0

By Keira K. Barton

When Taryn Radcliff's boyfriend tells her that he has no plans to marry her, she makes the difficult choice to end their relationship. After meeting Dr. Lachele, Taryn decides to turn over her search for a husband to the capable matchmaker. The day of the wedding, Taryn sneaks a peek of her groom and sees something that brings her painful past to the front of her mind.

Army soldier Andrew Dawson is used to being the hero, but he never expected that his mom would end up with something he can't save her from—breast cancer. He chooses to move back to Grace Lake, Idaho—the town he's been running away from for the past eight years—to care for her. He soon realizes there will be no time to date—if there was anyone to date—and he isn't confident in his ability to care for his mom alone. At the recommendation of his Aunt Eileen, he decides to give Dr. Lachele Simpson's Matchrimony service a try.

 

Can Andrew trust that Dr. Lachele has picked the right woman for him? Or will he regret his choice to meet his wife at the altar?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Keira K. Barton
• Release date: Jun 29, 2018
• ISBN: 9781393153597

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Copyright © 2018 by Keira K. Barton

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, including information storage and retrieval systems, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed Attention: Permissions Coordinator, at the address below.

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www.keirakbarton.com

This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination.. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Cover design by Erin Dameron Hill/EDH Graphics

Edited by Tristi Pinkston

Printed in the United States of America.

First printing edition 2018.

When Taryn Radcliff’s boyfriend tells her that he has no plans to marry her, she makes the difficult choice to end their relationship. After meeting Dr. Lachele, Taryn decides to turn over her search for a husband to the capable matchmaker. The day of the wedding, Taryn sneaks a peek of her groom and sees something that brings her painful past to the front of her mind.

Army soldier Andrew Dawson is used to being the hero, but he never expected that his mom would end up with something he can’t save her from—breast cancer. He chooses to move back to Grace Lake, Idaho—the town he’s been running away from for the past eight years—to care for her. He soon realizes there will be no time to date—if there was anyone to date—and he isn’t confident in his ability to care for his mom alone. At the recommendation of his Aunt Eileen, he decides to give Dr. Lachele Simpson’s Matchrimony service a try. Can he trust that Dr. Lachele has picked the right woman for him? Or will he regret his choice to meet his wife at the altar?

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Keira K. Barton

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For Sam, thanks for making my dreams yours. I love you.

Prologue

Florida

The elevator doors opened loudly and a soft ding signaled that Brad had reached the floor where he needed to get off.

Excuse me, he muttered as he squeezed past three middle-aged women who were standing in front of the elevator door. They shuffled out of his way, eyeing the big bouquet of sunflowers he was holding.

He walked down the hall toward the double doors that separated the patient rooms from the rest of the world, trying to swallow the fear that had been creeping up his throat. Last time he was here was not a pleasant memory, but the woman he was about to see had made it bearable. He buzzed the nurses’ station to be let in.

Yes? A cheerful voice came through the speaker.

I’m here to see Eileen. I called ahead to make sure she was in today, Brad said into the box on the wall.

Oh, yes. We spoke on the phone. Please, come in.

Brad heard a buzz and pushed through the door, being sure to hold the bouquet of sunflowers away from the doorjamb as he entered. He walked up to the nurses’ station, not at all conspicuous with the giant yellow flowers. Eileen turned around just as Brad stepped up to the counter. Her face lit up at the sight of him.

Bradley Carter! Her voice was just as sweet and uplifting as Brad had remembered.

Hey there, lovely lady. Can you believe it’s our one-year anniversary? he teased.

Eileen’s cheeks filled with only the slightest bit of pink. Aww, she said as she grabbed the flowers Brad was offering. They’re absolutely beautiful. How did you know I love sunflowers?

Brad’s smile widened. Lucky guess. He was relieved that she liked them. Sunflowers made him happy, and Eileen made everyone happy, so he thought it was a good fit.

Thank you so much, Brad. It’s so good to see you again. How is everything? she asked.

Oh, it’s great. Life is so good. When I woke up in this hospital a year ago, I couldn’t have even imagined the type of happiness I have now. I wasn’t in a very good place at that time in my life. If I had known that my accident would eventually lead to what I have now, I wouldn’t have been such a hard patient. He laughed.

You weren’t all that bad, Eileen assured. She shifted her weight to her other foot and pushed her nose closer to the flowers she held. What’s making you so happy now, if you don’t mind me asking?

"Well, while I was here in the hospital, I came across an ad in the newspaper for a dating service called Matchrimony. It’s a really unique dating service because you actually meet at the altar. You can’t date your match until after you’re married." He paused to let Eileen express her shock, but she just waited for him to go on. Doesn’t she think this is weird?

"Anyway, once I got home, I felt really strongly that I wanted to start a family, and Matchrimony seemed like the best option for me to be able to do that as quickly as possible. The girl Dr. Lachele set me up with has turned out to be the woman of my dreams. I couldn’t be happier," Brad finished.

Wow... Eileen said. The word wasn’t an exclamation, but a long, drawn-out thought that hung in the air for a while. Brad could tell that Eileen’s wheels were spinning, but he wasn’t sure what about. He waited for her to say more—she wasn’t really the quiet type, after all—but she didn’t.

My wife, Daphne, and I decided we’re going to have a ring ceremony for our one-year anniversary. She wasn’t on good terms with her family when we got married last year, so they didn’t attend the wedding. Since we’ve been married, they’ve been able to patch things up, so this is our grand gesture to show them how happy we are that they’ll be involved in our lives. I’d love it if you’d come as well, Eileen, he said.

While he was talking, she seemed to have shaken herself out of her reflective state. Her answer was much more animated. Absolutely!

You have no idea how much it will mean to Daphne and Ava that you’ll be there. I mean, it means a lot to me too—you were a bright spot in my life when I felt little hope. I just know they want to experience your effervescence too, Brad said.

Eileen laughed. Oh, you give me too much credit! But hold on. If Daphne’s your wife, who’s Ava?

How could I forget to tell you about the second-most important woman in my life? Ava is Daphne’s beautiful daughter. She turned two last month. I can’t believe how much that little girl has me wrapped around her finger already, Brad said.

How sweet. Eileen beamed. Well, my break is definitely over. I need to get back to work, but please, send me an invitation and I’ll be there!

You’re the best, Brad replied as they embraced. He was already looking forward to the next time he would see her.

Chapter 1

Florida

The air smelled of jasmine, gardenias, and freshly cut grass. That morning, Taryn had helped Daphne and Brad decorate their backyard with strings of blossoms for their vow renewal ceremony, and clusters of the white flowers hung from branches of orange trees scattered around the yard. A beautiful backdrop of pink garden spray roses was set up behind the happy couple, who stood at the front of an intimate gathering of family and friends.

Taryn fought tears as she watched them, eyes locked on one another, the love between them almost palpable. All she had ever wanted was for someone to look at her the way Brad looked at Daphne now. She tried to blink back the tears that had pooled in her eyes, but they ran down her cheeks despite her best efforts.

Aren’t they a beautiful couple? the purple haired woman sitting next to her whispered, obviously unaware that her tears weren’t because she was happy for them. She was happy for them, but she was crying because she was heartbroken.

She held back a sob. They’re perfect, she managed.

She couldn't help but be a little jealous of Daphne. She was hugely pregnant and still looked absolutely stunning, and Brad was completely smitten with her—that much was clear. Watching other people live out your dreams while you had to wait was painful, and the ache in her chest wouldn’t let her forget it.

A few months ago, her boyfriend of almost two years had admitted to her that he didn’t want to get married. Her hopes and dreams for their future had crumbled beneath her, and she’d felt lost ever since. She thought Paul had been the one.

Once Brad and Daphne exchanged rings, everyone stood and clapped. The noise forced her out of her thoughts, and she stood too, clapping absentmindedly. The guests lined up to congratulate them on one year together, and Dr. Lachele followed her to the end of the line.

I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Dr. Lachele, she said, extending her hand. Her purple hair was shimmering in the afternoon sun, and her grasp was firm, but welcoming.

Nice to finally meet you. I’m Taryn Radcliff. Brad and I met in college—I was his calculus tutor, she explained.

"That’s right! Daphne told me about you and your taco truck. We share a love for tacos, so I already like you."

Taryn laughed. Never underestimate the power of tacos.

Since most of the guests were family and close friends, the line moved fast, and Taryn was grateful. She could only fake a smile for so long.

Congratulations on one year of marriage, Taryn said to Brad when she finally made it to the front of the line. Thanks for having me here to celebrate with you. She hoped he couldn't discern the pain she felt inside. The last thing she wanted was to distract from his happiness today.

Of course! It wouldn't have been the same without you, Brad said as he reached around her to give her a giant hug. And thanks for helping us set up. Daphne is so uncomfortable these days, she can only be on her feet for so long before she has to sit down.

Anything for you guys. She wondered if her smile looked as forced as it felt.

Taryn moved along to speak to Daphne and gave Lachele a chance to talk with Brad. You’re glowing! she said once she had Daphne’s attention.

I don't think sweating and glowing are the same thing. Daphne took a big huffy breath and tried to blow her bangs off her forehead, but they were slicked to her damp skin.

Taryn’s forced smiled turned real, and she giggled. Well, sweaty or not, you look absolutely stunning. How far along are you now?

"Thirty-six weeks and