Match Made in Heaven

By Julie Arduini

Match Made in Heaven: A Contemporary, Christian, Small Town & Rural Romance Novella

 

She's afraid to mess up. He already has.

 

Beth Prescott wants to make a difference with the senior citizens she serves as a volunteer coordinator, but their matchmaking efforts leave her guarded. She's experienced too much pain to make that leap again.

 

Dean Kellerman returns to the Finger Lakes area to help his grandfather and heal his own broken heart. He's recommitted his life to Christ, and doesn't want any distractions. When his grandfather needs assistance with a senior program, it places Dean right in Beth's path.

 

Can these two surrender their pasts to Christ and have faith in each other and their future?

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Surrendered Scribe Media
• Release date: Apr 16, 2019
• ISBN: 9798215634974

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

The automatic main entrance doors squealed as Beth Prescott failed to make a discreet arrival. With a groan, she searched for her office door key and click-clacked past the Hammondsport Senior Complex front desk.

Activities Director Wendy Bass chuckled as Beth scurried by. Did you hit the snooze button too many times?

Beth kept her stride. I mixed up AM and PM.

Wendy shook her head and held up a folder. I found these near the copier. I think they belong to you.

Beth stopped and turned. Sure enough, her handwriting was on the front. Intake papers she needed for her outreach appointment. The first of many throughout her day. What would I do without you? You’ve rescued me so many times since I started this job.

Wendy reached across the front desk and passed the folder off. No worries. I had a lot of help when I began here. It’s a lot to learn.

Beth balanced the folder as she maneuvered her purse and steadied the office key in her right hand. Her venti mocha still hadn’t kicked in with the energy level she needed to leave on time for Katy McGlen’s home visit. Although the senior citizen was as sweet as the caramel Beth added to her morning drink, Beth hated being behind schedule.

She turned the corner and found her colleague, Ray Jenkins, at their shared office door, his key already in the lock, twisting it to the unlocked position. How's the weather out there, Beth?

Beth tossed her office lanyard back in her purse. Humid. My last visit is at the Grapevine Nursing Home outside of town. I probably should've scheduled that earlier. The circulation in that place isn't the best.

Ray nudged the door open and gestured her inside. No, you were right. You always want to make the nursing home visits the last of the day.

Beth took a tentative step before turning toward Ray. Why?

He sighed, etches of his seventy years tightened across his face. Those visits are the hardest. The residents don’t have a lot of visitors and they get lonely. Or, dementia has them believing you’re their daughter or granddaughter and they want you to stay.

The information zoomed from her brain to what felt like a heavy brick that sank to the bottom of her stomach. Thanks for the heads up. I definitely want those meetings at the end of the day so I can process it at home.

The older man shuffled toward his desk, about to turn on the lights. By the way, you have a visitor. He’s waiting in the billiard room.

Beth bit her lip, certain she hadn't scheduled anyone. Do you know who?

Ray's crystal blue eyes twinkled. Another grandson.

Beth sighed, unloaded her purse and folder on her desk, and glanced at the wall clock. Seriously, I don’t have time for this. She bolted out her office door and swung around the corner to the billiard room.

A young man who looked college age, if that, stood as soon as he noticed Beth.

I’m Beth Prescott. You’re here to see me? Beth knew the drill after six months of these kind of visits from her clients’ grandsons.

His voice cracked as he cleared the distance between them and stretched out his hand. I'm Chase. My nana, Rita Clark, told me to come here. I'm new in town and she thought you could show me around.

Of course she did.

Beth nibbled at her lip as she shook his moist hand. I apologize. I’m fairly new on the job. Visiting senior citizens like Rita and matching them up with volunteer opportunities throughout the county keep me pretty busy.

He cleared his throat. Oh. Well, we didn’t mean during work hours. We thought maybe it could be a date.

And there it was. Over the months the men had different hair colors and personalities, but they basically all stated the same thing. This is really getting old.

Oh, Chase. That's so sweet, really. But I'm a little older than you think, and I really want to focus on the job. She mustered a smile despite the growing stress that she was late to see the recently widowed Mrs. McGlen.

Chase nodded and gazed at the gray carpet. Okay. It was worth a try. Nana said you were single and you’d be lucky to have dinner with me.

Beth stifled a giggle as she walked him to the door. Say hello to your nana.

TEN MINUTES LATER, Beth slung her purse across her shoulders and returned to the main entrance with her folder, plus intake papers for the other appointments. Nuts, I forgot. I need copies. She sighed and picked up her pace as she made her way to the copy and mailbox room.

Hey, Beth. Where are you headed this time? Wendy grabbed envelopes from her mail slot and turned to her new friend.

Katy McGlen is my first stop. Then there’s a potential new volunteer that wants to meet with me, and then there’s the nursing home. Just need to make some copies. Beth waved them in the air before setting them down on the table next to the printer.

Wendy groaned. Those nursing home visits are rough. I'll be praying for you.

Beth placed her paper on the glass without looking at her friend. Or replying.

Wendy changed her tone to a sing-song type. So, I saw a blond guy with a sad face leave the building.

Now it was Beth's turn to groan. Another grandson. How come you don't get those? We're about the same age.

Wendy smiled. You're fresh meat. I know that sounds bad, but trust me, all my seniors in activities tried when I first started here. But enough grandsons probably went back dejected when I made it clear I didn't want to pay attention to any man who doesn't know the Lord. Wendy tossed back an auburn curl.

I don't think that approach would work with me.

The grandparents will give it a rest after a while. But you can take it as a compliment. They care enough to want to matchmake you with their grandsons.

Beth stacked her papers and placed them in her folder. I guess. Honestly, though. I'd rather just do my job. Speaking of, I’d best go.

Wendy stepped over to the copy machine, lifting the door. Hey, Beth. You forgot the original.

Ugh. Thanks. I knew I'd forget that. Beth reached for the paper and started to stuff it in the folder as she jogged out toward the exit. She tried to place the paper in the front without losing the rest, and yet keep pace. Just as the sheet fit where she wanted, she marched right into a broad chest belonging to a man a good five inches taller than her. Beth stepped back, breathless. Oh, my. I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention.

Mr. Broad Chest reached out with his long hands and placed them on her shoulders, trying to steady her. No, I apologize. I'm not quite sure where I'm going and I wasn't focusing on where I was headed. His scruffy beard made him look at least thirty, if not older.

Her attempt to stop staring at his wide chest was now a quest to recover her focus after looking into his seafoam-colored eyes. She cleared her throat and grinned. Although this is the one-stop place for all senior citizens, I have to say you don’t look like you qualify.

He chuckled, letting go of her. True. My grandpa asked me to stop by. I'm looking for Beth Prescott.

Beth let the folder fall limp at her side. Oh. I see. I'm Beth. Her eyes narrowed as she stared down the husky-sounding grandson. Here we go. More matchmaking.

Great. Do you have an office where we can talk?

She fished for her car keys. I do, but I can’t.

He cocked his head slightly. I’m sorry?

I have a home visit I need to go to. Because I’m out of the office so much I need clients to schedule appointments. She avoided