A Match for Meghan (Heartsong Presents)

by Kimberly Rose Johnson

The thin man nodded. “Yes. That medicine worked well. No more hair loss for Roxie. Now if only I could find something that worked so well for me.” He rubbed his bald head.

  She grinned and turned to her friend. “Have a seat, Charity, and I’ll find out if Dr. Young can see your cat.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Please follow me, Mr. Mann.” She weighed Roxie, then brought the dog and owner into the exam room. She spotted Emma in the hall. “Can Dr. Young work a cat exam into his schedule?”

  “I’ll check.” Emma headed toward the front desk.

  An idea struck Meghan. Charity was single and might be a good match for Dr. Young. One way or another, she’d make sure her friend got in to see him. Meghan hustled to the waiting area and gave her friend the scoop on the doctor.

  Charity’s eyes brightened, but then faded. “What’s wrong with him?”

  “Nothing! Well, maybe he’s a little absentminded sometimes, but other than that, the man is a great catch.”

  “I don’t know, Meghan. Why don’t you date him?”

  “Because I repel men.”

  Charity opened her mouth as if to argue. Meghan waved a hand. “It’s true, but I don’t have time to go into it. About Dr. Young, please promise me you’ll keep an open mind when you meet him. If you like him, maybe give him your number or something.”

  Charity stepped toward the door. “This is crazy. I can’t flirt with my cat’s veterinarian.”

  “Why not?”

  “I don’t know. It seems wrong.”

  Emma broke in. “Charity, if you’ll follow me, I’ll show you to a room.”

  Her friend stood grasping the carrier. She looked from the door to Meghan several times then sighed and followed Emma.

  Meghan blew out a puff of air. Some thanks she got. Any woman should be happy to date Dr. Young.

  * * *

  Ben opened the exam room door and walked in to find a cute blonde holding a marmalade-colored house cat. “Hi, there.” He stuck out his hand and introduced himself, then proceeded with the exam. The feline passed with flying colors, and he returned the animal to her owner’s waiting arms.

  The woman hugged the cat. “She kind of adopted me. I don’t know who she belongs to since she doesn’t have a collar or anything to identify her. I put up posters around town with her picture and no one responded, so I took her to the humane society to see if she had a chip and she doesn’t. Can you believe it?”

  “Actually, I can.” He leaned against the exam table. “Have you given her a name?”

  “Kitty.” She giggled. “I suppose a more proper name is in order now that I’m determined to give her a home. What do you think of Buttercup?”

  “I think whatever name you choose will be perfect.” He offered his hand so they could shake goodbye.

  Instead, she slid a piece of paper onto his open palm.

  “What’s this?” He picked it up with his other hand.

  “My number. Meghan thought we’d hit it off, and I think she’s right.”

  “Oh.” His face heated. “I’m sorry Meghan bothered you with my personal life.”

  “So you’re not interested?” She placed the cat into the carrier and stood. “I’m the one who should be sorry. I shouldn’t have... I understand.” Looking down, she rushed from the room.

  Ben’s stomach knotted as embarrassment for her flooded through him. He needed to have a serious talk with Meghan before he lost all his new patients. He slipped into the hall and spotted her entering the kennel room. “Meghan, a word?”

  She stopped midstep and backtracked. “What did you think of Charity? She rushed out before I could talk to her.”

  “She seemed nice enough, but please don’t do that again.”

  “Do what?”

  He sighed. “You put both of us in an awkward and embarrassing situation.” He didn’t have time for this.

  Emma strolled around the corner. “Room two, Dr. Young.”

  “Thanks.” He entered the room, and thankfully a man, not a woman, waited with a Saint Bernard. Good. With any luck, he wouldn’t be forced into more embarrassing situations with single women today. Perhaps Meghan’s matchmaking was not a good thing, despite his thoughts earlier this morning. He should put a stop to her efforts.

  Chapter 4

  Late that afternoon, Meghan heard a commotion in the waiting room and went to investigate. Trent and Alex sat on the floor in the center of the room playing with a black Lab.

  “Hi, boys.”

  Her cousins hopped up. “Hey!” they said in unison.

  “How about you go wash your hands, then meet me in Dr. Harding’s office. There’s a surprise waiting.”

  The boys raced for the restroom, their backpacks bouncing against their backs.

  “Those are some active boys you have there,” the owner of the Lab said.

  “Yes, I’m watching them tonight to give their parents a break.” Meghan turned away as she heard Trent coughing and sneezing. She bit her bottom lip. Having the boy in a veterinary clinic when he was allergic to cats was most definitely a bad idea. Good thing no animals went into Dr. Harding’s office. “Come on, hurry before you end up in the hospital.”

  Trent wrinkled his nose at her. “I’m not that allergic to cats.”

  “Right. That’s why you’ve been here all of five minutes and you’re sneezing and coughing.” What was Laura thinking sending him here? She must have been awful desperate to get away. “Let’s move.” She guided her cousins into her boss’s office and closed the door.

  “Cookies!” Alex beamed a smile. “Is that our surprise?”

  “Yes.”

  Trent reached for one. “Snickerdoodles. My favorite, but how’d you know?” He sneezed several times into his elbow.

  “I’ve known you your entire life. I bought them because I know they’re your favorite.” She handed him the tissue box from Dr. Harding’s desk. “Stay in here. There are several games in the corner, as well as a puzzle.” She snapped her fingers. “I almost forgot. The ice cooler has water, string cheese and apples inside. Help yourselves if you get hungry.” She pointed to the corner where she had placed the blue-and-white cooler she usually took to ball games.

  Alex’s eyes lit. “I wish we could come here every day.”

  Meghan looked at Trent, who was less than enthusiastic. “Are you going to be okay, buddy?”

  His eyes watered. “Maybe if we crack the window. Are you sure no cats come in here?”

  The door swung open and Pete strolled in. “Well, look who we have here. Hi, Trent. Alex.”

  The boys smiled and waved hello.

  “Whoa, Trent. You don’t look so well.”

  “Cats.” They all said at once.

  His brow lifted. “I forgot about your feline allergy. Would you rather go hang out at the candy shop with Keira? I imagine she could use a couple of assistants.”

  Trent looked like he wanted to say yes, but held back.

  Meghan’s insides crumbled. “Maybe call Keira and see if it’s okay. We could pack up all this stuff and take it with us to the shop.” She looked at the boys. “As soon as I’m off work, I’d swing over and get you. Keira’s really nice.”

  “We know.”

  A minute later, Dr. Harding hung up the phone and gave her the thumbs-up. “Take your time. I checked the schedule and we’re good for the next thirty minutes.”

  “Perfect. Thanks! Okay, boys. Everyone grab something.”

  Trent sneezed. “I’m sorry.”

  “No problem, kiddo.” She scooped up the games and led the way out to the parking lot.

  Twenty minutes later, the kids were settled with Keira, and Meghan pulled back into her spot at the clinic. Several cars were in the lot. In fact, the only spot left was the on
e she’d just pulled into. That was odd. She shrugged it off—tourists probably had parked here again.

  She shook her head and two-timed it toward the clinic’s door, yanked it open and caught her breath. Several sets of eyes turned her way. She rushed to find her boss.

  “Oh good, you’re back.” His hand rested on the doorknob to an exam room.

  “What happened? I thought the schedule was clear for a bit.”

  “Me, too, but apparently a few people decided to drop in without appointments. Ben and I are both swamped.”

  Without a word, Meghan got busy. The quicker they worked through the patients, the sooner she’d be out of there. Not that she didn’t like her job, but she was anxious to retrieve her cousins. She hated having to ask Keira to take them. Thank goodness for people like Dr. Harding’s wife—always willing to lend a hand.

  Two hours later, exhausted and ready for a bubble bath, Meghan flipped the light off in the reception area. She heard footsteps heading down the hall and turned the light back on. Ben. “I thought everyone but Dr. Harding had left.”

  “Nope.” Dr. Young strode across the room. “I’d like to have a word with you about your matchmaking.”

  Her stomach flip-flopped. She never imagined he’d give in to finding him a match so easily, especially after earlier. “Great, I’m glad we are both on the same page! I can’t wait to get started. And about earlier, it won’t happen again. You were right. That was unprofessional, and I’m sorry. We’ll need to talk later, though, because I have to go pick up my cousins from Keira’s candy shop ASAP. I wanted them to stay here, but poor Trent has a severe allergy to cats, and we had to come up with a different plan. Let’s touch base tomorrow.” She hoisted her hobo bag onto her shoulder and rushed outside to her Jeep.

  * * *

  Ben watched slack-jawed as Meghan soared out the door. She was like a minitornado! To make matters worse, she’d misunderstood why he wanted to talk with her. How did Pete work with that woman on a daily basis? Well, there was nothing to be done about her this evening. He might as well call it a night, too.

  He noted the light still glowing under Pete’s door. Maybe his business partner would have some advice for dealing with his assistant. He rapped three times on the door.

  “Come in.”

  Ben pushed the door open. “You have a minute?”

  Pete glanced at the wall clock. “Just. What’s up?”

  “Are you aware your assistant tried to set me up with a woman this morning? She promised it wouldn’t happen again, but still—”

  “Was there something wrong with her?”

  “Uh, no.” He shook his head. Clearly, Pete didn’t understand. “The woman handed me her phone number after I examined her cat. She said, and I quote, ‘Meghan thought we’d hit it off’.”

  “O-kay.” He drew the word out, like a question.

  “Don’t you see how unprofessional that was?”

  “Sure, but I know Meghan didn’t mean any harm by it. Since she said she won’t do it again, I suggest letting it go. She has her quirks, but she’s really a nice lady. I don’t know how I’d manage around here without her. Meghan is so fantastic with the animals that I’m surprised she didn’t become a veterinarian herself. She certainly has the brain for it.”

  Ben frowned. Evidently, he didn’t have an ally here and would need to handle Meghan on his own. “See you in the morning.” He had barely enough time to run home and get cleaned up before the midweek service at church.

  An hour later, peace washed over him as he strode into the church. The stiffness in his shoulders eased, and he breathed easier. He loved his church and the way it made him feel. If only he could experience this peace all the time.

  Mitch, a friend and longtime resident of Leavenworth, nodded to him. Ben held out his hand. “Good to see you here this evening, Mitch. Don’t you normally only come on Sundays?”

  “Yes, but we’re hosting a couple of the young people who are in the choir that’s performing tonight. My wife and daughter are already seated.”

  “It sounds like they’re excited about the group.”

  “You could say that.” Mitch chuckled. “What’s this I hear about you being on the hunt for a wife?”

  Ben’s peace scattered. “What are you talking about?” He winced at his sharp tone.

  “Guess I heard wrong. You know how people like to gossip.”

  “If they’re gossiping about me, I want to know. What did you hear?”

  Mitch lowered his voice. “Only that you were on the hunt for your soul mate.”

  Ben cringed. “That sounds like something Meghan would say. She’s looking—not me. This debacle is bigger than I imagined.” He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Somehow, he had thought he could leave his troubles at work, but apparently he’d been wrong. He would not let this situation get the best of him. “Thanks for letting me know about the rumor mill.”

  Mitch shifted from one foot to another and looked over his shoulder. “Yeah. That’s what friends are for. Look, I’ll inform Julia that Meghan is up to her usual matchmaking schemes. Don’t give it another thought.” Mitch clapped him on the shoulder then spun around and marched into the sanctuary.

  How was he supposed to not give it another thought? He needed to do something about Meghan, and fast, before she ruined his reputation all over town. What would people think if it got out that he was on the prowl for a woman? Sure, he had dated, but Meghan made him sound desperate. Talk about humiliating.

  A lady he recognized, but couldn’t put a name to, glided past him with a grin and a raised brow.

  He stifled a groan. Looked like the word might already be out. He did not need this complication in his life. Hopefully, Mitch would be able to do damage control. His wife, Julia, was well respected among the women of the church and town, so that should go a long way in snuffing out the gossip.

  Until then, he’d lay low. He slunk into the sanctuary with his head down and sat near the back, off to the right side. Meghan would definitely be hearing from him first thing in the morning.

  * * *

  Meghan propped her feet on her cousin’s coffee table. The boys were sound asleep, and she finally had some free time to ponder who would best suit Dr. Young. She was a little surprised he had agreed to the whole matchmaking thing after the way he’d reacted to Charity, but maybe all he needed was some time to get used to the idea.

  Keira had been a huge help, too. Once Meghan had convinced her Ben was on board with the matchmaking idea, Keira had been a wealth of information. Now to find the man a wife—or at least, a potential wife.

  She grabbed a pad and pen from her bag and started making a list. The first and foremost thing Keira had mentioned was that Ben was committed to God. He also taught a Sunday school class at their church. This didn’t surprise Meghan. He’d always seemed like a do-gooder. She’d heard he loaned out his farm field and a stall in his barn to a 4-H student every year.

  Keira had said Ben’s future wife must be a committed Christian for him to give her a second look. Meghan frowned. She hadn’t given God much thought in recent years. This task might be harder than she had originally thought. None of her friends were religious—well, none that she knew of. Finding a Christian woman when she didn’t know any would be the most difficult part of her matchmaking mission. She tapped her pen on the pad. Surely, she knew a few single Christian women and just didn’t realize it. She racked her brain, but couldn’t come up with one name.

  Meghan pushed the dilemma aside and jotted down the other things Keira had shared. Ben liked being outdoors—hiking, running, biking, swimming. He enjoyed the theater and acting, and had had a small part in the summer theater’s annual production of The Sound of Music last year.

  He was easygoing, loved watching sports—a die-hard Mariners and Seahawks fan—a steak and
potatoes kind of guy and a gentleman.

  She studied her list. There must be something here she could work with. The key would be to find a woman who loved sports and being outdoors. That shouldn’t be too difficult. After all, this was Leavenworth, where outdoor activities abounded. Even she enjoyed camping. She didn’t like roughing it, but as long as there were bathrooms with showers nearby she was okay.

  She tapped her fingers on the arm of the couch. Who did she know who was single, religious and enjoyed the outdoors? She made a note to find out his age preference. He was in his midthirties, well past his prime in her opinion, but at least he didn’t look old. She winced—another month and she’d be thirty. Maybe he wasn’t that old. Somehow, anyone over thirty seemed old, but evidently she needed to redefine her thinking, because she was not old.

  Yawning, she set aside the list. Time to snuggle up for some z’s. Her mind always worked best at rest. Maybe by morning, a gaggle of single women would come to mind.

  Fat chance, but she could dream. She readied for bed quickly and climbed between the luxurious sheets her cousin kept on the guest bed. Hmm, maybe she should stay over more often. She closed her eyes and let her mind wander to Ben—a catch by most women’s standards. Financially stable, well-adjusted, handsome...and absentminded. Well, that didn’t matter. Not if she found his soul mate. The woman meant for him would overlook his one flaw.

  Contentment settled over her. She closed her eyes and imagined Ben’s baby blues and dark wavy hair. Mmm, the man was near perfect. Not only was he handsome, he was exceptional with animals, appreciated good music and had a heart of gold. Her stomach fluttered. All this thinking about Ben had done something to her head, and she couldn’t deny being attracted to him. But there was no way they would be a good match. She didn’t meet all his qualifications and she had too much self-respect to throw herself at the man.

  Chapter 5

  Ben arrived at the clinic twenty minutes early hoping to catch Meghan the moment she walked through the door. He needed to set things straight with her so his life could return to normal. He flipped on the lights and booted up his computer.