Adopted in Arkansas: At the Altar

By Kirsten Osbourne

This book was previously published in a charity anthology. Please make sure you don't already have a copy before purchasing.

 

Socialite Emily Simpson feels out of place. So, when Emily consults her aunt, Lachele suggests she use Matchrimony to find a husband. Farmer Derrick Bobo hopes an arranged marriage will give him a better chance of gaining custody of his autistic nephew, Zach. Can Emily adjust to a farm wife's lifestyle? And more importantly, how will she deal with a boy on the spectrum?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Unlimited Dreams
• Release date: Apr 28, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224557745

Book preview

Chapter One

Derrick stared at the lawyer in shock. You’re telling me she actually wrote it into her will that I can’t raise her kid if I don’t get married?

Mr. Peterson nodded. I’m afraid so. She has a separate sealed letter for you to read on your own.

This is a bunch of hooey! Derrick said, getting to his feet. Zach has been with me since his parents died, and he’s going to stay with me. Alex’s parents have been off God knows where doing whatever they want, and they get to show up and take custody of this kid? There’s no way. None. Zach doesn’t even know his paternal grandparents. He’s mine.

Not according to your sister’s will, I’m afraid. You have six months to marry if you want to have full custody of Zachary.

Derrick left the room, letting the door slam behind him. He knew it was childish, but what else could he do? He was just glad Zach was in school and hadn’t had to listen to his mother’s conditions for his uncle to raise him. It made no sense.

In the hallway of the lawyer’s office, he ran into an old friend, a girl he’d known in school. He wasn’t very social these days, spending all his time working and taking care of Zach. Hey, Beth. Marry me?

She gaped at him in shock for a minute, before holding up her left hand, and letting him see the diamond on her third finger. Sorry. I got married last year, and I’m expecting.

Of course, you are! he said. I’m trying to figure out how I can keep custody of my nephew. According to my sister’s will, I have to be married within six months or I forfeit all rights to him.

Beth narrowed her eyes. I heard about this woman who introduces people at the altar. An old college friend of mine is happily married thanks to her matchmaking. Would you consider that?

Derrick groaned. I guess I’d consider anything. This means Miranda’s half of the family farm as well as custody of her son. When their parents had died, they’d split everything legally between the two siblings. Miranda had been content to leave Derrick to run everything while she lived in Little Rock. Now her half of the farm was up for grabs as well. It was ridiculous.

Let me text my friend and find out the name of the woman she went through. Just a sec. Beth’s fingers tapped out a message while Derrick watched in utter disbelief of what he was thinking about doing. Of course, a random matchmaker couldn’t do worse for his love life than he’d done. Okay, got a response. I’m just going to read it to you. ‘The company name is Matchrimony, and it’s run by a woman named Dr. Lachele Simpson. Don’t let her freak you out. She’s legit.’ I don’t know what the last part is supposed to mean.

I guess I’m going to find out. He typed the company name as well as the name of the woman running it into the notes on his phone. I’m going to make a phone call after I pick up Zach from school.

Is he doing okay in the new school? Beth asked. She’d been friends with Miranda, so it made sense that she was curious about her son.

Not particularly. The schedule is different than he’s used to, and he really liked his elementary school in Little Rock. I guess Harrisburg isn’t the same, but you’d think the smaller city would be easier for him.

Well, kids like Zach are really invested in their routines.

Derrick nodded. Yeah. They are. Okay, I’m off to hear about what he hated at school today.

Beth laughed softly. It’s going to get better.

The only way it can go is up! Derrick walked out to his truck and pulled into the street. It was only a two-minute drive to the school, but Zach was let out five minutes before the other kids because he couldn’t handle the noise that came with locker doors slamming. And Derrick was about to be late for the first time ever picking him up.

When he pulled up to the school, it was only a minute before everyone let out, and Zach was walking in circles on the lawn, talking to himself. As soon as he saw his uncle, he walked to the car, got in, and buckled up. "You’re late, Uncle Derrick. You’re supposed to be here five minutes til three, and it’s two-fifty-nine. What if the other kids had come out