Matching Mr. Right (Rocky Mountain Matchmaker Series Book 1)

by Baumann, Tamra

  “My mom and dad were loving people, but they sucked at being parents. That thing called responsibility eluded them.” She blew out a long breath and faced straight ahead. Maybe it’d make it easier to explain if she didn’t look at him. “My mom got herself pregnant by the gardener at seventeen. When she married my low-class father she was disinherited by her family. My parents liked to party and often passed out before my sister and I got fed.” She glanced his way again. “We ate a lot of yogurt.”

  Nick frowned as he switched gears. “It was your parents’ job to keep you safe. And they failed. That fire wasn’t your fault, it was an accident.”

  She laughed bitterly. “That sounds good in theory. But if I hadn’t used the stove after I was told specifically not to because the knob was tricky, I’d still have my family.”

  Her cell rang, saving her from the rest of the painful conversation she didn’t want to have. The screen showed it was her aunt.

  “I have to take this.” She drew a deep breath, digging deep for patience. “Hello, Aunt Victoria. How are you?”

  “I have a disaster on my hands. You need to help.”

  If her aunt tried to set her up with one more of her pompous, rich friends’ sons, she’d go mad. She couldn’t wait until Greg got back and she won him over. Maybe then her aunt would leave her alone. “What do you need?”

  “I’m sponsoring a black-tie charity event at the club on Saturday, and the celebrity backed out. Imagine my surprise when some of the ladies talking about replacements mentioned an up-and-coming local author, and it was you! They said your little children’s books have become quite popular and they’d love to have you.”

  “Imagine that.” Shelby didn’t bother to disguise her sarcasm.

  “You’ll need to be at the club at seven. It’s formal so you’ll wear a long gown and we won’t have to work around your legs. I know you must be struggling since you left the business, but please don’t show up in something from last season. It’d reflect poorly on the family. Just this once, you may charge my account at any of my usual shops. Oh, and if you don’t have a date I can arrange—”

  “No! I’m good.” Shelby’s jaw clenched. “And I can afford a new dress. I’m not a pauper just because I don’t work for Uncle Jack anymore.”

  Her aunt sniffed. “Please don’t take that tone with me, Shelby. I was trying to be helpful. And don’t be late.” Then she hung up.

  Shelby tossed the phone into her purse and crossed her arms. Dammit. Now she was going to have to spend money on a new dress she’d probably never wear again on top of springing for a tux for her date.

  Nick cleared his throat. “Problem?”

  “I have to make a command performance at my aunt and uncle’s club Saturday night. The snooty Bay View, which is a stupid name because there aren’t any bays in Denver. Should be a scintillating evening.”

  “My dad belongs to that one too. Only the best for him.”

  Shelby rolled her eyes. “Same with my aunt and uncle.” But who should she ask to accompany her? Someone who’d shock her aunt and uncle could be fun. Maybe she’d ask her friend Mike. He was a tattoo artist. It’d drive Uncle Jack insane.

  But poor Mike would be bored out of his skull. No, she liked him too much for that.

  Then it hit her. Nick was a slick guy who dressed to impress. And he still owed her a favor. “Do you own a tux?”

  He eyed her warily. “Yes. Why?”

  “Then you’re my date because you owe me.”

  “I thought you didn’t date clients?”

  “It won’t be a real date, so it doesn’t count.”

  “No way.” Nick shook his head. “I hate wearing the monkey suit. Just hit me with your bat and let’s call it even.”

  “You said if I went to the hospital, I get a free swing. So I get the swing and a favor. But, if you go with me, I promise I won’t hit you on the head.”

  “Name anything else. I hate the country club set. My ass of a father might be at that party, and I don’t want to run into him.”

  “If you say yes, I’ll sweeten the pot by throwing in a stuffed Chester doll that’s not coming out until next month. Emily will be the most envied kid in her class.”

  Emily was clearly Nick’s weakness. She counted in her mind while he contemplated. Four, three, two—

  “Oh, all right.” He scowled as he pulled into her drive. “Do women come out of the womb knowing how to blackmail? You’re worse than my sisters.”

  She grinned at her victory. “Pick me up at six thirty and don’t be late or I’ll sic my aunt on you. You’re just her type.”

  ***

  Just to annoy Shelby for making him wear his tux, Nick showed up on Saturday night at six ten. Women hated when their dates arrived early and paced.

  He didn’t even care that his tie didn’t look right because that’d irritate her too. She was cute when she was mad at him.

  While tugging at his overly starched collar, he made his way up Shelby’s front path. When the door swung open, his mouth went dry.

  Shelby stood before him in the sexiest red dress he’d ever seen. She had more cleavage than he’d realized and curves aplenty.

  “Good, you’re early. Let’s go.” Shelby grabbed her purse and shut the door behind her.

  He’d been tempted to let her open her own car door in retaliation for making him risk seeing his father, but he just couldn’t do it. Instinct took over and he beat her to the handle. As he swung the door open wide, Shelby stopped and frowned.

  “You really suck at tying bow ties. Here, let me.” She threw her sparkly little purse into the car and then fixed his tie in under thirty seconds. “That’s better. Although you probably did that just to annoy me.”

  He checked out her amazing rear end while she maneuvered herself into his low car. Damn she was hot. But totally off-limits. She wasn’t the sex-with-no-strings type.

  He slid behind the wheel and backed out. He’d known plenty of beautiful women, but what was it about Shelby that made him want to know more? It threw him off-balance.

  But he still wasn’t happy about the tux. “Just to be clear, if it’s not an open bar, you’re buying the drinks tonight, Shelby.”

  She pulled down the visor and flipped open the lit mirror. It was torture watching her swipe shiny gloss onto her full lips before she gave them a smack.

  “A Marx never throws an event in which one would have to pay for alcohol. That would just be déclassé Nicolas.”

  Her rich-bitch imitation drew a chuckle from him.

  Damn. He honestly liked her. Originally, he was just going to study her setup, extract key marketing, client, and sales info, and then disappear. But maybe she didn’t have to find out what he was up to. Especially if he played along so she thought he was really trying. He’d just make sure she went along on his dates using her little Bluetooth thing and he’d pretend to be clueless. He really didn’t want to hurt her, just save his stubborn sister who wouldn’t let him help keep her business in the black.

  He asked, “So, what’s the plan tonight? Do the minimum and then slip out early?”

  Shelby sighed. “That’s always my hope for one of my aunt’s fundraisers. But if it goes on too late, you can leave. I can always catch a ride home in my aunt and uncle’s limo.”

  “I’m not going to ditch you, Shelby. That would be déclassé.”

  When she laughed, her smile sparked an answering grin from him. Maybe they’d actually have a good time, even if his father was bound to be there.

  As they drove in silence, he caught Shelby staring at him. “What? Did I cut myself shaving or something?” He ran a hand down the side of his face to check.

  “No. I just can’t figure you out. Why would a guy like you need my help? Let’s face it: you’re not ugly, you have a hot car, and I know from your address you live in one of the most exclusive subdivisions in Denver. You’re kind of arrogant sometimes, but then, some women actually like that. So what’s the deal?”

&nb
sp; Crap! Had she guessed he was spying on her? But he wasn’t arrogant. Maybe he’d taken his bad-client act a little too far.

  Failing to come up with a good retort, he shrugged. “Maybe I just wanted to try something new?” That was lame. He needed to step it up quick or Grandma was going to haunt him for the rest of his life.

  Her eyes narrowed. “So you were completely honest on your questionnaire? That’s really the kind of woman you think you want?”

  “Yes. I think I’d enjoy spending time with a woman like that.”

  An accident on the freeway ahead had him downshifting. That’s all he needed. To be stuck in traffic with Shelby interrogating him. When they came to a dead stop, he turned and faced her. “Why is it so wrong to want the woman I described?”

  “I’ve never had a client say they aren’t looking for love or a real relationship before. It’s why people use my service.”

  Fail there. He should’ve kept his mouth shut about that. “I’m hoping you can find me that woman so we could have a nice time and enjoy each other’s company until it fizzles out. Not everyone wants to be married and have kids . . . like you obviously do.”

  “Leave me out of this. We’re analyzing you. Do you have any women friends?”

  “No. But none of my other guy friends do either. So what?”

  “You’d really rather have a girlfriend who likes sports over one with say, intelligence and wit?”

  “Intelligence and wit would be a nice bonus. I just hate it when women pretend to like sports when I first meet them, and then get mad because I spend too much time watching football with the guys.”

  “So, you prefer to hang out with men over being with a woman?”

  “Yeah, especially during football season.”

  “You do realize the woman you described on your questionnaire is basically a guy, but with girl parts, right?”

  “What are you trying to say, Shelby?”

  The traffic started moving again, so he put the car in gear and gave it some gas.

  She ignored his question. “You mentioned you didn’t want to run into your dad tonight, so you seem to have father issues too.”

  “Father issues? I think it’s perfectly normal to dislike a cheating bastard.”

  “Maybe you’ve come to me because you’re having trouble facing the truth?”

  “About what?”

  “Think about it Nick. You prefer to hang with guys, and you can’t commit to women. Maybe you’d rather be with a man?”

  What!

  “Shelby, I’m not—”

  She wrapped her arms around her waist and laughed out loud. “The look on your face, Nick . . .” She had to stop and catch her breath, she was laughing so hard. “Priceless.”

  “Cute. How are you the top-rated matchmaker in town if you tease your clients like that?”

  She sobered up quickly and crossed her arms. “I don’t tease my other clients. Guys like you just bring it out in me, I guess.”

  “Guys like me? What does that mean?”

  She shrugged and looked out the window. “Never mind. It doesn’t matter. Maybe you and I shouldn’t work together.”

  He’d played the jerk card a little too well when they’d first met to test her. So now he needed to show her he wasn’t arrogant and that he truly respected her so she wouldn’t dump him. “Maybe you tease me because you actually like me. Have you ever considered that?”

  Now it was her expression that made him laugh. “You don’t have to look so horrified, Shelby. Maybe I’m not the guy you think I am. Why don’t we call a truce and just get through tonight before we go tearing up contracts. Deal?” He held out his fist for a friendly bump.

  “Really?” She frowned at his fist. “We’re going to fist bump, like men? Maybe this is why you can’t find the right woman.” She rolled her eyes, but fist bumped him anyway. “Okay. Your first assignment is to try to act like a gentleman tonight. No burping, scratching, or anything Neanderthal-like. Got it?”

  “Got it.” Relief rushed through him. That had been too close a call. He still needed to figure out how she ran her business and couldn’t afford to screw up again. Luckily, his mother hadn’t raised an ape. After his father left, his mother never missed an opportunity to point out how to treat a lady.

  Shelby pulled out her phone, ignoring him the rest of the way to the club. Clearly she still didn’t like him enough to make the effort at simple small talk, even though he was doing her a favor. He’d just have to show Shelby Marx how wrong she was about “guys like him.”

  The accident on the freeway delayed them, but because he’d been early, they arrived at the party only a few minutes late. Nick gave the valet his keys, then slipped his hand around Shelby’s slender waist and led her up the steps of Denver’s most exclusive country club. Maybe if things went well, he might even be able to snag a few new, rich clients. Could be a productive evening.

  When they entered the ballroom, an elderly man dressed in a black suit with the county club’s crest on the pocket smiled at Shelby. “Good evening, Ms. Marx. Your aunt and uncle await your arrival at the front of the ballroom. May I show you the way?”

  Shelby leaned up on her tiptoes and kissed the man’s cheek. “Nice to see you, Arthur. This is my . . . date, Nick.”

  Arthur tilted his head. “A pleasure, sir.”

  Shelby’s date? Not her escort or companion? Maybe he was growing on her already.

  As Arthur led them through the opulent ballroom, weaving around small groups of Denver’s elite, Shelby whispered, “My uncle can be a bit . . . intimidating. And my aunt? Well, you’ll see for yourself. Don’t let them get to you.”

  He threw his arm around her shoulder. “I’m not easily intimidated, Shelby. Relax.”

  As they approached the raised dais in the front of the ballroom, he spotted the man who’d broken his mother’s heart, and pulled up short.

  Shelby glanced up at him. “What?”

  “That’s my father over there, talking to the bimbo who’s obviously had one too many plastic surgeries. Not surprising, that’s his type.”

  Shelby laughed as she tucked her arm through his and pulled him forward. “Well, since that bimbo is my aunt Victoria, we should probably join them.”

  Great. That wasn’t going to help get rid of her urge to dump him from her client list.

  “Sorry. I was commenting on my father—”

  Ignoring his babbling explanation she said, “No, you’re right. My aunt has had one too many procedures. But after the few cryptic things you’ve said about your father, I’m curious to meet him.”

  Shelby tugged him closer to his father, a top divorce lawyer—a destroyer of families. These people were his type of clients. Of course he’d not want to miss an opportunity to pick up some new business.

  It could be a long night.

  When they joined them, Shelby’s aunt turned her overly botoxed face their way and said, “You’re late, dear.” Only her tone betrayed her annoyance. Her face was so shot up with poison, not a muscle moved.

  “Accident on I-25,” Shelby replied and then pushed Nick closer. “And this is your companion’s son, Nick Caldwell.”

  When her aunt’s eyes lit with pleasure, his stomach took a dive.

  “I see Shelby’s taste in men has finally improved. You look just like your handsome father, Nick. Pleasure to meet you.”

  He hated when women who refused to accept their fading beauty looked at him like he was the last éclair in the box. Let her beam that scary smile at someone her own age, like his dad.

  Steeling himself, he held out his hand to receive her handshake. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Marx.” Then he lowered his hand to his side and greeted his father. “Dad. This is Shelby.”

  His father said, “Hello, Son,” but couldn’t seem to take his eyes off of Shelby. His father’s gaze ran up and down the length of Shelby’s tight, low-cut dress. “A delight to meet you, Shelby. Are all the Marx women as beautiful as you and your aunt?”

/>   Shelby reached out and shook his father’s hand, then it looked as though his father was going to pull her hand to his mouth for a kiss.

  Frickin’ pervert!

  He’d never know for sure because Shelby’s hand quickly slid from his grasp and she said, “What a charming thing to say. It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Caldwell.”

  He’d forgotten Shelby had grown up around people like his dad. He admired the way she politely blew him off. Or, maybe his father had released her hand.

  Didn’t matter, his father was a jerk either way and needed to understand Shelby was off-limits. He wrapped his hand around her waist, pulling Shelby closer in a silent back-off gesture.

  Aunt Victoria said, “Shelby is one of the many items being auctioned off this evening, Edward. Pay enough for the privilege and you’ll be able to accompany her on a date.”

  Nick and Shelby both said “What?” in unison.

  Shelby slammed her hands on her curvy little hips and faced her aunt. “You didn’t say anything about auctioning me off!”

  “Surely I mentioned that part, Shelby. You must not have been listening again.” Auntie Botox turned her wicked gaze toward his father and smiled. “If you’ll excuse us Edward, Shelby and I need to powder our noses.”

  Aunt Victoria’s clawlike hand wrapped around Shelby’s arm as she none so gently dragged her niece toward the exit. “I’ll have her back in a jiffy, Nick.”

  He turned to his father who was watching the ladies cross the ballroom. Was his father admiring Shelby’s ass? Admittedly it was hard not to notice Shelby’s nicely rounded feature in that dress. Or maybe his dad had his eye on Aunt Victoria’s? He hoped to God his father wasn’t banging married women again like before. He thought that had stopped after his father divorced his mom and then moved on to much younger prey.

  Just as he leaned close to tell his father to forget about bidding on Shelby, someone slapped his father on the back. “Edward. It’s been ages. How are you?”

  His father shook the man’s hand. “Nice to see you, Jack.” Then he held a hand in Nick’s direction. “This is your niece’s date, my son, Nick.”