Nursing in Northlake
Book Ten in At the Altar
Kirsten Osbourne
Cover Art Erin Dameron-Hill
Copyright 2016 Kirsten Osbourne
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Jenni Thompson felt like life was passing her by. She was happy with her job as an RN, but she wanted more. Having lived her life under her mother’s exacting thumb, she is afraid to date someone, knowing he’ll never live up to her parents’ expectations. So she contacts a matchmaking service who agrees to introduce her to a man who is right for her at the altar.
Tony Jarrett sees everything in black and white. When his friend tells him about Matchrimony, he scoffs at first, but decides to give the idea a chance. When he’s told he needs to marry on a cruise ship, he has no idea why, but he goes along with it. Marrying the beautiful girl who caught his eye in line is no hardship. Can the two of them make it past their differences to live peacefully? Or will they each be destined to a life of loneliness?
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Chapter One
Jenni Thompson looked up from the chart she was reading, smiling as one of her favorite people walked toward her. “Heidi! How are you feeling?”
Heidi Henderson sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. “I feel like I’m three months pregnant with twins and have a job that requires me to walk all day long. I hurt, and I’m grumpy.”
“Sorry about that!” Jenni said. “How’s Slade taking it all?”
“He’s not the one with all day sickness, so who cares?” Heidi groaned. “I sound miserable, and I kind of am, but he’s the most wonderful thing to ever happen to me.” She patted her stomach which was starting to get big, thanks to the two babies crowded in there.
Jenni smiled. “It kills me that you two met at the altar and have such a wonderful relationship. I want something like what you have.”
Heidi shrugged. “Why don’t you contact Dr. Lachele? You’ve finished your nursing degree now, so I don’t see that there’s anything that’s really holding you back.”
“Nerves are holding me back,” Jenni said softly. “You know what my parents are like. Imagine their reaction to me meeting my future husband at the altar. They came unglued when I wanted to work as a nurse’s aide as I was getting my degree. They think that it’s beneath someone of my breeding to have a job where she’s cleaning up people’s vomit.”
Heidi laughed softly. “Don’t mention vomit, or I might lose it. You know better!” She tilted her head to one side. “Why not do a weird destination wedding so they don’t go? Or know about it before hand? You could get married on a cruise ship or something equally bizarre.”
Jenni grinned. “Oh, my mother would come unglued if I married on a cruise ship. Can you imagine her reaction?” Why did it make her so happy to think about doing something that would upset her mother so much? It wasn’t why she was thinking of marrying, but it certainly was a side benefit.
“Yes!” Heidi said. She’d just met Jenni’s parents at the graduation ceremony a few weeks before. “I think you should go for it. Why not? Call Dr. Lachele, tell her you want to marry on a cruise ship, and watch her make it happen.”
“I just might!”
Heidi pulled out her phone and dug a pen out of the pocket of her scrubs, writing a number on Jenni’s hand. “Do it! Before you lose you nerve.”
Jenni frowned down at the phone number before nodding. “I think I will! It’s time for me to head home anyway.”
As she walked out to get into her car, a graduation gift from her parents, she thought about the past five years of her life. She’d grown up the pampered only child of a wealthy couple who had always expressed their sadness with her life choices. They’d wanted her to go into medicine, but as a doctor, and when she chose to be a nurse, they’d been disappointed. She’d never had any desire to be a doctor.
When she’d decided to become a nurse’s aide while she was on the waiting list for the nursing program at her college, they’d expressed their regret. Now that she’d finally graduated, and no longer had to rely on them to pay for her college tuition, she’d moved into a small apartment in Roanoke, Texas, close to the nursing home where she’d worked as a nurse’s aide, and now worked in her chosen profession.
As soon as she walked in the door, she dialed the number Heidi had scrawled on her palm, hoping there would be no answer. Of course, she knew the Matchrimony office was in Manhattan, and it was after six in Texas, so there was little chance anyone would be in.
When the phone was answered on the first ring, Jenni was dumbstruck for a moment. “Uh...hi.” What kind of hours did the woman keep?
“Hi, this is Dr. Lachele. Can I help you?” The matchmaker’s voice was soft and girlish, immediately making Jenni feel a bit better about the call.
Jenni took a deep breath. “My name is Jenni Thompson. I’m a co-worker of Heidi Henderson.”
“I see. How’s Heidi doing? When’s she due with her munchkin?”
Jenni smiled at the word munchkin. “April. And it’s munchkins. She’s having twins.”
“More twin munchkins! My life is full of joy! I’ll start on the quilts tomorrow.”
“I called because I’m hoping you can help me.” Jenni’s voice was soft, because she was so nervous. She wasn’t exactly a person who liked to be on display anyway, preferring to be quiet most of the time.
“You lonely, Jenni?”
Jenni sighed. “Maybe a little. I’d like to find the kind of love Heidi has with Slade, but I have one request.”
“Requests help make my world go ‘round. What do you want?”
“I want to get married on a cruise ship. I know that’s kind of weird, but my parents would never approve, so I could keep them from the wedding that way…” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Jenni realized how terrible they sounded.
Dr. Lachele chortled…it was the only way to describe her laugh. “I love it! Let me check my calendar.” She paused for a moment, and Jenni heard clicking sounds. “I can be there this weekend.”
Jenni frowned. “I work weekends. I’m a new nurse, so I get the yuck shifts.” Would that matter to her future husband? She hoped not!
“Oh, I see. What days do you have off?”
“I have Wednesday and Thursday this week.”
“Could you fly to me?”
“I don’t see why not!” Jenni loved to fly. “Would you have time to help me this week?”
“If you were here and didn’t mind splitting into two days, I don’t see why I couldn't. Have you ever been to New York?”
Jenni smiled at the question. “My mother took me to Fifth Avenue for school clothes every year.” She had some good memories of Manhattan, but she also had some that were awful. It all just depended on the year.
“I see. Well, you let me know when your flight is, and I’ll have a car at the airport to pick you up. And Jenni?”
“Yes, ma’am?”
“I’m going to find you a man that’s going to knock your socks off!”
*****
Tony Jarrett stared down at the paperwork in front of him, trying to reconcile the accounting of an old friend. “What is this
entry for Matchrimony?” he asked, tucking his pencil behind his ear.
Seth shrugged. “It’s a matchmaking service I hired. The woman who runs it introduced me to my wife at the altar.”
Tony raised an eyebrow. “You agreed to that nonsense?” Who in their right mind would do such a thing?
“Yup. You remember Daniel from college? He met his wife that way too. So did my twin brother. We’ve all been really happy with her services.”
Tony frowned, but filed the name away in his head. He’d gone to college with Seth and Daniel, and considered them both to be intelligent men. Why would they see a matchmaker who wouldn’t even allow them to meet their future wives before they were standing in front of a preacher? It was crazy.
Five hours later, Tony walked into his lonely apartment, thinking about his last two relationships. Both had ended as quickly as they’d started. Tony didn’t exactly approve of wild living. He was an accountant, and he liked being serious-minded. Why would he want to date someone who wasn’t the same as he was? Dedicated to her career and her future?
He sat down at the computer and googled Matchrimony, only finding rave results from people who were happily matched by the company. Maybe it wasn’t such a horrible idea.
An hour later, he had an appointment for Dr. Lachele to meet him at his Arlington, Texas home to interview him, helping him find the perfect bride. He’d probably lost his mind, but he was going to give it a try.
*****
In line for his wedding cruise, Tony noticed a pretty woman around his age, and thought it would be nice if she was the woman who had been chosen for him. Just as he thought it, the two women she was with got into a loud argument over who was cuter. One of the girls was exceptionally tall with short blond hair and glasses, and the other was very short, with long brown hair.
“You know I’m cuter than you! I always have been! Even ask Mom,” the shorter one said.
The two women looked remarkably alike in facial features, and Tony frowned, trying to figure out what their problems were. Why disturb a whole line of people with that idiocy?
The taller woman glared at the younger one. “You may be able to get Mom on your side, because you always do, but I don’t care. We all know I’m smarter and that’s what really matters.”
“Smarter? Just because you talk to the people who live in your head? I have a nursing degree!”
The pretty woman Tony had first noticed shook her head. “Can we save the arguments for the ship? You guys are making me queasy and we’re not even onboard yet!”
He lost sight of the three as they went to get their Sail and Sign cards, and he was put into a different line. Why had he agreed to marry aboard a cruise ship anyway? He was supposed to get married two nights from then. Two nights by himself on a cruise ship.
He’d asked friends to join him, but they’d all said they were too busy with family. Soon he’d be busy with family too.
*****
Jenni was going to go nuts if her friends, Bridget and Kaya, kept fighting. They were twins, and she’d been roommates with Kaya her first year at UTA. She’d found she had a major in common with Bridget, though, so she’d gotten close to both. It had seemed natural for her to invite them to be her bridesmaids and come on her wedding cruise with her.
She’d paid for the suite they’d all share until the ceremony on Monday evening. Dr. Lachele had said she would be there, but if they ran into each other, they couldn’t speak, because her groom could be any of the men present.
Jenni was certain Dr. Lachele was more excited to be on the cruise ship than her friends were. Lachele had brought her husband, Sam, along with her, and she’d been bouncing off the walls with excitement.
When they got to the room, Bridget insisted they immediately go “stuff their faces” at the buffet. “It’s free food, Jenni!” Bridget had said excitedly.
Jenni had changed into the shorts and T-shirt she’d brought with her, despite it being winter. She was told by the next afternoon, it would be a comfortable temperature.
When they got up to the deck, Jenni looked around her in awe. Even though it was only fifty degrees, there were people in the hot tub, and swimming in the pool. There was even one little boy screaming as he rode down the slide.
They looked around to see what food was available. Bridget was squealing with excitement. Kaya rolled her eyes at her sister and said, “Calm down, Bridget the Midget!”
“Get off my back, Kaya! You're not the boss of me!” Bridget wrinkled her nose at her sister, and hurried over to the buffet, checking out what was available.
Jenni walked off toward the pizza bar, not wanting to mess with all the interesting-looking food at that moment. Something basic would suit her better just then. Kaya followed behind her, and they both grabbed slices of pepperoni. Finding an open seat was harder than they thought. The entire deck was already full of people. Once Bridget joined them, Jenni got up to get drinks for all three of them.
“Don't eat too much, Bridget. You need to be hungry for dinner! I hear dinner is the best meal on a cruise,” Jenni said as she put drinks on the table. None of them had ever cruised before, so it was an adventure to embark on together.
“Whatever.” Bridget just rolled her eyes at Jenni. She’d never much cared for her sister’s opinion on anything.
Jenni shook her head. She wasn't sure what Bridget's problem was, but whatever it was, she'd always had it. “Just promise me whatever you do, you won't get three desserts at dinner. I've heard people do that sometimes on cruises, and it sounds like something you would do, Bridget.”
Kaya nodded emphatically at her sister. “Listen to Jenni for a change. Listen to someone other than the creepy voices in your head!”
“Like I’m the one with voices in my head!” Bridget made a face. “I don't know why you guys bother. I'm going to eat what I want to eat. If you don't like it, eat with random strangers.”
Jenni frowned. “You don't always have to be rude, Bridget.”
“She's just doing what she does best!” Kaya said. “You know Bridget. Can't take her out around people.”
Jenni ignored the sisters as they bickered on, well aware that they were always at their worst when they were together, and watched the different people around her. She wondered which man there would end up being her husband in two days. Then a thought occurred to her that had her worried. What if he didn't show? She wasn't allowed to talk to Lachele! How would she know if he was there?
She saw Dr. Lachele who moved over to a table beside her. Jenni's eyes met the doctor’s. She mouthed the words, “Did he make it onto the ship?”
Dr. Lachele nodded, and Jenni immediately felt better. At least she wasn't being stood up at the altar. Or would it be correct to say being stood up on a cruise ship? She'd asked Kaya, but Kaya was being annoying because Bridget was there. Kaya had always had a way with words, which was why she was a writer.
After lunch, they went back to the room, and Bridget read the schedule out loud to everybody. She told them what they should do, and when they should do it. “I want to karaoke tonight! I think Kaya and I should sing I Got You Babe!”
Jenni looked at Kaya. “And what does Kaya think of this idea?”
“Kaya thinks it's a stupid idea, and she thinks Bridget should get a life.” She collapsed backward onto the bed. “I need a nap. Vacations are about sleeping and eating. Not about singing stupid songs at karaoke with your sister.”
Bridget sighed heavily. “Jenni, you'll sing with me, won't you?”
“You've got to be kidding me! My future husband could be in the audience, not knowing me, and you want me to sing I Got You Babe?” Jenni shook her head. “It's not happening.”
Bridget made a face. “We are on vacation, people! How are we going to have any fun if you two are acting like sticks in the mud?”
Kaya put a pillow over her head. “Just be quiet for a little while, Bridget! Why don't you go up on deck and see if there are any men for you? You can wander around
picking up men and drinking Shirley Temples or something!”
“I prefer Coke!” Bridget got up, grabbed her key card for the room, and left. She slammed the door behind her.
Jenni sighed. “Now we've made her mad. She's going to be a pain for the rest of the trip.”
Kaya removed the pillow from her head and looked at Jenni. “She'll be fine. She'll come back and will have met the most gorgeous guy on the whole ship and he'll be waiting to meet her in a bar later. Who cares what Bridget thinks anyway?”
“Well, she is our friend.”
Kaya ground. “Speak for yourself! You may have chosen her, but she's my sister. I'm stuck with her!” Kaya rolled to her side. “I think you should nap too. We both need naps. Naps are made of awesome and fairy dust.”
Jenni looked over at her bed. It did look inviting. She grabbed her iPad and settled down on some pillows, finding a book to read on her Kindle app. She had half a dozen books saved up for the trip. She was going to enjoy herself despite her annoying friends.
When Bridget came back to the room three hours later, she was in a much better mood. Kaya and Jenni were playing cards, and Jenni looked up. “Looks like you had fun!”
“I did! I went up to the spa and entered a raffle and I won a free massage on a port day, which means I might have to not get off the ship, but I can live with that. And then I played ping pong with some cute guy from Oklahoma, who told me we should meet up for another match tomorrow on our sea day. It was a good day! Glad I ditched you two. Did you nap?”
Kaya nodded. “I feel much better now.”
Jenni shrugged. “Me too. We have dinner in an hour, so we probably need to dress for it. You guys mind if I shower first?”
Bridget shook her head. “Nope. You go for it. I’m going to nap, so do it quietly.”
Kaya sighed. “I’ll take my laptop out on deck and see if I can get a few words written. I’ve got my internet package so I’ll check in with May and Liz, my writer friends. They’ll keep me company while I stare contentedly at the ocean.”
Teasing in Texas (At the Altar Book 10) Page 1
