Jennifer's Journey: River's End Ranch, #59

By Kirsten Osbourne

Jennifer Olson is a recently reformed mean girl. She moved to River's End Ranch for a new job that would include a new start. No one there knows of her history. She decides to contact a matchmaker who will introduce her at the altar after concluding she is incapable of being kind for long enough to truly get to know a man and marry him. It seems to be the only way she has even a chance at love and a family.

 

Maynard Butts has spent his entire life trying to live above the name he has been given. When he lands a job as the lead actor for a television show, he decides to contact someone who will introduce him to his future bride at the altar. He doesn't want someone to reject him for his name or marry him for his fame and fortune. When he sees Jennifer walking down the aisle toward him, he's sure that everything will work out.

 

But will she ever tell him what she's hiding from him? Or will they always have a distance between them?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Unlimited Dreams
• Release date: Nov 16, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201022297

Book preview

Chapter One

Looking up from her position behind the front desk of the main hotel on River’s End Ranch, Jennifer Olson spotted Dr. Lachele and hurried around the counter to hug her. I wasn’t expecting you until Friday. What are you doing here? It was only Wednesday. Had something gone wrong with her arranged marriage?

Well, I needed to come see Jaclyn, and I figured I’d come early so I could spend more time with you as well. Dr. Lachele’s purple hair fell over her forehead. Are you getting nervous? Dr. Lachele owned a company called Matchrimony, and her specialty was introducing people at the altar. She had never once failed.  All of her matches had remained married.

I’m a little nervous, but more than anything I’m excited to find a man who doesn’t know my history. Jennifer knew Dr. Lachele would understand what she meant. She had been a particularly unpleasant individual before she came to the ranch, and her past still haunted her at times. She had not been kind to people who had done nothing to her. She was making a new life for herself, but she needed to feel better about who she was.

Well, I’m sure he doesn’t know your history, and he wants to marry now, rather than later. I can’t wait for you to see him! Your heart is going to flutter a million miles per minute. Dr. Lachele threw her arms wide, emphasizing her words.

Wouldn’t that be racing and not fluttering? I don’t know how anyone could possibly flutter that fast. Jennifer grinned at the matchmaker, letting her know she was joking. Do you have reservations for tonight?

Reservations are in my husband’s name. Sam Simpson. I think we have the Bearfoot Cabin. Dr. Lachele lifted one foot. Does it matter that I’m wearing shoes? She cackled softly, while Jennifer hurried off to check for the reservations.

I have you for four nights. Are there any activities you’d like me to sign you up for before I show you the cabin?

Are there any kissing contests? Sam and I can kiss longer and better than anyone else you’ve ever met.

Jennifer closed her eyes and shook her head. Dr. Lachele, you are insane! No, there are no kissing contests.

I guess it would be too much to ask for there to be an ugly bug ball?

Why don’t I show you to your cabin?

Not even going to answer that, are you? Smart girl. Dr. Lachele winked at her, and Jennifer shook her head. There was something wrong with the woman, but Jennifer loved her anyway.

Your cabin is right this way. Do you mind a short walk, or do you want me to get a golf cart? Jennifer asked softly.

Oh, grab a golf cart. I’m feeling lazy after that long flight and all the airports. JFK has got to be the craziest airport in the entire world. Dr. Lachele waited as Jennifer went to fetch the golf cart, looking around her at the ranch. It was her second visit, and she was obviously looking for something.

Are you looking for Jaclyn? Jennifer asked as she came back into sight, driving the golf cart. She hasn’t been around as much lately. To find her, you have to go to her house.

Dr. Lachele frowned. I guess I can do that. I just thought that with the way we seem to be connected through out thoughts, she would be standing here waiting for me.

Didn’t you send her a strong enough telepathic message? Jennifer asked. She waited as Dr. Lachele got in and started driving toward the cabin. Jennifer was very glad she was the one driving and not Dr. Lachele. The tales she’d heard about Dr. Lachele’s driving abilities could make anyone sick to their stomach—even if they weren’t prone to motion sickness.

Is Jaclyn sick? Any idea why she hasn’t been out and about? Dr. Lachele seemed truly worried.

I don’t think so. She’s just been...quiet lately. I think she must be having a fight with the fairies or plotting to take over the world, one garden gnome at a time. Jennifer didn’t have to add that she thought Jaclyn was totally off her rocker, but she was sure it came out in her tone of voice.

As Jennifer parked in front of the Bearfoot Cabin, Dr. Lachele glared at her. Are you making fun of my friend?

Not at all. She’s my favorite matchmaker who lives on this ranch! Which was true as far as it went...Jennifer didn’t trust Jaclyn, but she would trust Dr. Lachele with her life—and she had. In just a few days, she would be walking toward an altar where a man she had never met would be standing.

I suppose I can take that as an answer, but I do understand your double-speak. Come and meet my Sam, the man who puts up with me when he shouldn’t. Dr. Lachele climbed out of the golf-cart, her eyes sparkling.

I’m sure you deserve his love, Dr. Lachele. You must be the most giving woman alive. Jennifer admired Dr. Lachele in a way she had never admired anyone. She wished she was good at complimenting other women, but she’d spent most of her life tearing them down.

Thank you. That’s very sweet of you to say. Dr. Lachele was one of the few people in Jennifer’s new world who understood exactly how she’d been before, so she knew the effort that came from complimenting other women.

I’m trying. Jennifer walked up to the door with Lachele, unlocking the door. How long before your Sam gets here? I have to get back to the desk. I have someone working there, but she doesn’t have the experience I have, and I’m not supposed to leave her alone for long.

I’d think any minute. Let me call him. Dr. Lachele pulled out her phone with the purple case on it, quickly punching a couple of buttons. Sammy! When are you getting to our cabin? She laughed shortly. Just follow the road to the right. There’s a golf cart parked out front. She stuffed her phone back into her pocket. He’ll be here in a minute. He got lost and like most men, he wouldn’t stop and ask for directions.

Jennifer smiled at that. Can I help you get anything ready for your stay?

Nope. I’ll be good as soon as Sam gets here with our stuff. Dr. Lachele walked to the window and looked out. There he is! She threw the door open and waved. Sam, this is Jennifer Olson. She’s our bride this weekend.

Jennifer smiled slightly. She didn’t want to be known as the bride. She was afraid whoever her groom was would figure out she was the bride and run away. It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Simpson.

Sam shook his head, holding his hand out for her to shake. That’s way too formal for a man like me. I’m just Sam. He nodded at Lachele. She’s the one who has the string of letters behind her name.

Then it’s nice to meet you, Sam. Jennifer walked toward the golf-cart. I have to get back to the front desk. I’m sure I’ll see you both this weekend. With those words, she backed out of their driveway and made her way back to the hotel. She wished she knew who she was marrying, but even she knew it was better this way. If she saw any woman talking to her future husband, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to bite her tongue.

When she got back to the hotel, she went to the front desk, smiling at the young girl she was training to take her place after she left her job. You’re doing great, Lacy. Were there any issues while I was gone?

Lacy shook her head. None at all. The actor, Maynard Butts, checked in, but he’s been on and off the ranch since he signed on for the television series.

"Isn’t his name awful? Can you imagine having a name as bad as Maynard Butts? You’d think he’d use a stage name or something. Jennifer shook her head, not noticing the look on Lacy’s face as she continued. If your last name was as bad as Butts, wouldn’t you name your son Harry? Can you imagine? Harry Butts!"

My parents weren’t quite that cruel, said a voice from behind her.

Jennifer closed her eyes for a moment before turning around. I’m so sorry, Mr. Butts. I didn’t mean to offend.

I’m sure you didn’t. Don’t worry. I’m used to people making fun of my name. People have always done it.

I know better. Please forgive me.

Maynard nodded. "I’ll forgive you.