Miss Match: a Lauren Holbrook novel

by Erynn Mangum

  I am born to be a matchmaker!

  Mikey gasps. “Ruby?”

  “Ruby,” I affirm.

  “Ruby Palmer.” He is unbelieving.

  “One and the same.”

  “Holy cow,” he says, leaning against the counter. “Wow, Laurie. I mean, I always figured the first one of the four of y’all to start kissing someone in the studio would be you.”

  “Hey!”

  “That’s not an insult, Laurie,” he soothes. “Wow. Ruby Palmer.”

  “Kissing Nick.” I grin, giddy.

  “Who is Nick?”

  “He’s our singles’ pastor,” Hannah answers.

  Now I’m ecstatic for two reasons: Ruby kissed Nick, and Hannah just called Nick “our” pastor.

  Miracles happen every day.

  “He’s the guy in the ugly sedan,” Mikey says, using his hands to put two and two together.

  I nod. “Yeah, that’s him.”

  “He needs a new car.”

  “Well, no one’s perfect.”

  Mikey points out the window. “Hey, isn’t that —”

  Uh-oh. Big Trouble.

  “Brandon!”

  “He’s back?” Hannah swings around to look out. “Oh man. Laurie, what are we going to do?”

  I don’t answer. Just burst through the door and hightail it to Brandon’s car.

  He opens his door, staring at me warily. “What happened? What’s flooded or on fire or broken?”

  I’m out of breath. “Nothing, nothing. Nothing.”

  “Then why are you rushing out of Bud’s?”

  “Exercise.” I huff. “It was my New Year’s resolution.”

  “You don’t make resolutions.” Now Brandon is beginning to jog toward his beloved studio. I follow like a little lost dog with my tail cut short and my ears cut long. “And you don’t exercise!”

  “Look, Brandon, honestly, nothing is wrong. Everything is right. Really right!” I grab his arm to make him stop.

  He pulls me along with him. “The camera broke, didn’t it?”

  “Nothing broke. Stop, Brandon!” I command.

  He freezes.

  I take a deep breath and step in front of him. The story comes flowing out. “Nick came in this morning to talk to Ruby and they went into the studio and closed the door and he said he was sorry and she said that’s okay and then he kissed her —”

  Brandon holds up his hands, silencing me. “Whoa. Ruby kissed Nick?” He is incredulous.

  “No, actually, Nick kissed Ruby.”

  “I thought you said they closed the door.”

  I look at him.

  “Wait, who am I talking to? Never mind.” His mouth stays open. “Nick kissed her?”

  I nod.

  “What did Ruby do?”

  “I don’t know. Right about there is when she opened the door.”

  Brandon rolls his eyes. “And found you. And if I’m guessing correctly, also Hannah.”

  “Sadly, yes.”

  “And they are still in there?”

  I nod again.

  He lets his breath out slowly. “Wow.”

  “That’s the word of the moment.”

  “I mean, really. Wow!” His expression suddenly changes and he stares at me long and hard, eyes narrowed and cold. “Lauren Holbrook.”

  “Brandon Knox.”

  “You didn’t . . . I don’t see how it’s possible . . . you didn’t make them fall in love, did you?”

  I let my mouth drop open in shock. “Me? How could I even think of toying with something like love?”

  “You did it.”

  “Mmm, I think God did it.” I pause, considering my next words. “I may have sort of arranged a few things.”

  “Oh man, oh man, oh man.”

  “It’s my destiny.” I slit my eyes at him, deepen my voice. “Who am I?” I put a hand to my chest. “I’m Cupidwoman!” I poke my finger in his chest. “And plus, I believe you helped, Mr. Acting-So-Innocent.”

  He finally smiles. Knuckles my head. “Crazy, you are.”

  “Yeah, well, to each his own. Want a burger?”

  “Sure, I’m starved.” He wraps an arm around my shoulders and walks me back to Bud’s. “I guess you’ve completely corrupted Hannah by now.”

  “Well, corruption is in the eye of the beholder.”

  “That’s beauty, Nutsy. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

  Hannah stands guiltily as we open the door. “Hey, Brandon.”

  He gives her a look over and then smiles. “You’re forgiven.”

  She sighs. “Thanks.”

  Mikey takes his rightful place behind the register. “Can I guess? Three hamburgers, one order of French fries, two onion rings, and three milkshakes?” Okay, turkey sandwich definitely forgotten. I’ll take a burger and a milkshake over lunchmeat any day.

  Brandon nods. “Sure.”

  Mikey rings the order up. “On the house. Best excitement I’ve had all day.”

  We go back to the studio at three. A horrible thing, appointments are. I open the door, shushing the bell, tiptoe in, and wave Hannah and Brandon in behind me.

  Studio Two’s door is open.

  How can I resist that? I peep inside.

  Ruby and Nick sit side-by-side on two folding chairs, talking quietly. He holds one of her hands in both of his, slowly rubbing his thumb over her knuckles.

  I motion to Hannah, who peeks in as well, turns, and makes doe eyes at me. Then she tiptoes back to her desk, yanking me with her, and whispers, “Aw” in my ear.

  “I think we’ve got company,” Ruby says loudly.

  “Oh boo for you!” I yell back.

  “Do not mess with these ears, Lauren Holbrook.” They appear in the doorway a moment later. Ruby smiles at me. “I know you have the Hendersons at three.”

  “Forget the Hendersons.” I grin cheekily. “What’s happening with you?”

  “Not nosy at all, are we?” Nick is looking at Ruby like she is a ruby.

  Hmm. Bad wordplay. He looks at her as if she is the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen.

  Aw.

  Hannah creeps up beside me and nudges my shoulder. I nod slightly.

  There’s nothing like two people in love to make you feel (A) happy, lovey-dovey, and dreamy or (B) positively lonely.

  “Want to get dinner tonight?” I whisper to her.

  “Please,” she says with a nod.

  “I don’t have any more appointments, so I’m going to take off.” Ruby gets her purse and coat.

  It takes every ounce of self-control for Brandon to keep a straight face and wish them a nice afternoon. I know, because I watch his fingers tighten into fists and his knee bounce.

  Wesley and Buttercup leave the building.

  Hannah and I leave promptly at six.

  “Where are you taking me again?” She climbs into my car.

  “Merson’s. Desserts, coffee, cute little tables.”

  “Drive on.”

  We are through the door a few minutes later. Shawn Merson looks up from the counter and grins.

  “Hi, Laurie. I saw Ryan this morning.”

  “Shawn, this is my good friend Hannah.” I blink. Huh. I think I just said Aloha Barbie was my good friend.

  It’s funny how quickly things change.

  He shakes her hand, smiling. “Take your pick of the tables.”

  The restaurant isn’t crowded. We choose a table in the back corner near the desserts.

  An order pad appears in my peripheral vision. “Know what you want?”

  I smile at Shawn. “A dinner salad with ranch and a slice of chocolate cake, please. And coffee.”

  He looks at my blonde companion. “And for you?”

  “Sounds good. I’ll have the same.” Hannah’s ogling the Retirement Center for Desserts.

  Shawn doesn’t even write it down. He grabs the coffee and comes back, filling the mugs on the table. “You two are way too easy.”

  “Well, you could drizzl
e caramel sauce over my cake,” I say.

  “Ooh!” Hannah shrieks. “Yeah! And sprinkle pecans on top.”

  Shawn rubs his chin where an end-of-the-day blond fuzz is hatching — an entirely aged habit for one so young. “That actually sounds good. I might have to add a new dessert to the menu.”

  “The Lauren-Hannah?” I suggest.

  He shakes his head. “Too long a name. How about turtle cake?”

  “Inspired by Laurie and Hannah?” I smile sweetly.

  He grins. “You got it.”

  Shawn leaves and Hannah leans her elbows on the table. “So, Ruby and Nick.”

  “Soon to be Engaged Couple Number 13,” I say with a sigh.

  I may be happier than a clam at high tide, and I may have arranged the match myself, but when you’re twenty-three years old and you watch every available single person in the entire singles’ Bible study get snatched up before your eyes . . .

  Well, it gives a new dimension to chocolate cake.

  Hannah is sympathetic.

  I fiddle with the salt shaker. “Ever wonder what it’s like, Hannah?”

  “What?”

  “Being one-half of a couple.”

  Hannah lifts her head, surprised. “Don’t you know? Aren’t you and Ryan a couple?”

  It is on the tip of my tongue to blurt out the whole thing and be done with it.

  However, there are several things to consider:

  Ryan would probably like to know if I were going to blow our cover.

  It’s been kind of fun.

  He brought me coffee this morning!

  “Well,” I fumble. “I mean, a serious couple. Like Nick and Ruby. Or Holly and Luke. Or Nate and Lexi. Or —”

  “Tina and Kyle?” Hannah grins.

  “Honestly, Hannah. Tell me the truth. Would you really like to spend the rest of your life with a guy like Kyle?”

  “You mean sweet, very good-looking, charming, and successful?”

  “Uh, yeah.”

  Shawn sets two plates of moist, heavenly smelling cake on the table in front of our salivating faces. The salad becomes an afterthought.

  He steps back and wipes his hands on the dishtowel over his shoulder. “All right, then, ladies, can I get you anything else?”

  I can’t tear my gaze away from the gorgeous cake. “Shawn, I’m having a thought.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Psalm 34. Verse 8. ‘Taste and see that the Lord is good.’”

  Hannah starts laughing. Shawn gives a little “heh” and leaves.

  Hannah levels a look at me over her cake and resumes our previous conversation. “Let’s just say if a guy like Kyle asked me to marry him, I would more than consider it. You wouldn’t?”

  I stick my fork in the cake. “Heck, no.”

  “And why not?”

  “The boy is perfect! I couldn’t live with someone who was perfect! I need at least a few flaws to balance my own.”

  “Really?” She grins evilly. “So what are Ryan’s flaws?”

  “He’s conniving.”

  Hannah starts laughing. “Ryan? Little Ryan? Conniving?”

  “Sure. Appearances are deceiving, Hannah.”

  “Well, he can’t be very conniving compared to you.”

  “Very funny. I don’t know, Hannah. I mean, I barely know the guy.”

  I pray for us both and take a bite of my cake. Mmmm. “I want to die here.”

  Hannah smirks. “Eat enough of this and you might.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  The doorbell rings at exactly ten o’clock on Saturday morning, just as I’m pouring coffee into the jumbo-sized thermos. It’s a cold, cloudy, gray day, and once again I’m not able to stay home and enjoy it.

  Dad looks up from his paper. “Finish getting your coffee, Honey. I’ll get the door.”

  I hear the door squeak. “Hello, Ryan.”

  “Hi, Mr. Holbrook. How are you doing?”

  “Oh fine, fine. Come on in. Laurie’s in the kitchen.”

  “She’s out of bed?”

  “I heard that!” I yell.

  Ryan comes into the kitchen smiling. “Lexi run out of coffee?” He notes the size of the thermos.

  I yawn, covering my mouth with my arm. “You can’t be too careful.”

  I’ve only been up for about thirty minutes, skipping the hair regimen in favor of peaceful slumber. Thus the reason my hair looks like I got out of the shower and brushed it with a wire whisk. I’m wearing my favorite pair of jeans — they’re super-soft and faded perfectly from countless washings — a red long-sleeved T-shirt, and my sneakers.

  I give Ryan a once-over. He wears jeans, a blue T-shirt under a long-sleeved plaid flannel shirt, and hiking boots, and his brown hair curls in reckless abandon all over his head. Obviously, Ryan skipped the hair regimen as well.

  At least we match.

  He’s grinning at me, and I decide he’s laughing at my hair. “Ready?” he asks.

  “Yep. Let me grab my coat.”

  He picks up the thermos for me. “Nice to see you again, Mr. Holbrook.”

  I hug Dad around his neck. “Bye, Dad.”

  “Have a good time.” Dad walks us to the door. “Wear your coats and tell Lexi hi for me.”

  “Will do. Love you.”

  He squeezes my shoulder. “Love you too, Laurie-girl.”

  We step into the frigid morning air, and Dad closes the door after us.

  “Brr!” I say, shivering. “I want the thermos. And where is your coat?”

  “In the truck. Didn’t you get the memo? Coats aren’t cool anymore.”

  He opens the door for me. “Oh well,” I say. “I was never cool to begin with.”

  He climbs in behind the wheel and looks at me. “I hesitate to ask this, but how do I get to Lexi’s?”

  “Turn right, go down the road for about two blocks, turn left, and you’re there.”

  Ryan starts the truck. “We could’ve walked.”

  “And risk frostbite? I think not.” I crank the heater up.

  “Here.” He hands me a take-out coffee cup from Merson’s. “This should tide you over for two blocks.”

  I take it, touched. “That’s so sweet, Ryan.”

  He shrugs, but his cheeks redden.

  “I think I like you.” I wrap my hands around the cup, inhaling the steamy, strong scent.

  He doesn’t look at me. “It’s mutual, kid.”

  We rumble down the street, and I direct him to the cute little ranch house. He pulls into the driveway.

  He turns off the engine and looks at the house. “So this is Nate and Lexi’s home.”

  I sip the coffee, nodding. “Isn’t it adorable? Hey, word of the wise. Don’t look in any of the cupboards. And keep an eye out for Muffin, their sadistic dog.”

  “Ankle biter?”

  “Worse. Terrier.”

  He winces. “Got it.” He comes around and opens my door, taking the thermos. We hurry up the porch steps. “Hey.” He stops me before I ring the doorbell.

  “Yeah?”

  The little-kid smile appears. “Thanks for coming with me, Laurie.”

  “Thanks for the coffee, Ryan.”

  I ring the doorbell. Lexi answers it so fast, I know she was waiting by the door. “Hey, guys.” She looks beautiful. It’s not fair. I know she’s been up for maybe ten minutes. Lexi doesn’t have any makeup on, and her hair hasn’t been brushed, but she could walk off the cover of People. Her gray eyes are sleepy-looking, but sparkling.

  I squash the jealousy. “Hiya, Lex.”

  “Lexi.” Ryan smiles and pushes me inside.

  She returns the smile. “Nate’s out back already. You’re a sweetheart for doing this, Ryan. What’s in the thermos?”

  “Laurie’s lifeblood.”

  She starts laughing. “I like you, Ryan.”

  “Where’s the back door?”

  She points the way. He squeezes my shoulder and then leaves. Lexi turns raised eyebrows in my direction
.

  “So cute in the early morning too,” she whispers.

  “Thank you.” I sip the coffee.

  She rolls her eyes. “Want some coffeecake?”

  I perk up. “Homemade?”

  “Of course.”

  “Did you have to ask?”

  She wraps an arm around my shoulders as we walk to the kitchen. “I thought while the boys were out back we could maybe look at some decorator magazines and figure out my color scheme.”

  I nod, watching her cut a hefty slice of coffeecake.

  Lexi makes the best coffeecake. It’s actually Laney’s original recipe, but Lexi adds nutmeg to the mix. Totally different zing to it. This is where I get my culinary talents — from watching my big sisters make a hundred different cooking mistakes and then not copying them.

  I sit at the kitchen table, wave to Nate and Ryan through the window, and eat a big hunk of the cake while they watch.

  Ryan makes a face at me.

  Lexi sits beside me with her coffee. “So how’s it going with the two of you?”

  I frown, chewing. “The two of who?”

  “You and Ryan.”

  “Oh. Fine.”

  “Fine? Honey, people who have been married for ten years are fine. You’re young, unmarried, and in love. Find a different adjective.”

  I drink my coffee, thinking. “Swell?”

  She chokes. “Never mind. Real romantics, you and Ryan.”

  “You know me.” I take a forkful of cake. “Lexi?”

  “What’s up, Baby?”

  I pause, figuring out my question. “How did you know Nate was the right guy? I mean, like, how did you know he’s who God had for you?” My words are faltering because I’m unsure of what I’m asking. I know how I knew Nate was right for Lexi. I not only introduced them, I kept pushing them toward marriage.

  Lexi sets her coffee down and lets out a deep breath. “Wow. You’re one for early morning surface conversations, you know?” She crinkles her forehead, looks out the window, and watches Nate heft one-half of a board over his shoulder. Ryan grabs the other side.

  “Well, I don’t really know, I guess.” She waves her hands around. “I just remember one day waking up and thinking, ‘I’m going to marry Nate.’” She shrugs and picks up her coffee again. “There wasn’t a sign in the sky or anything. I just had a peace when I would pray about our future together.”

  “Helpful, Lex.”

  “I’ll try to do better next time, Sweetie. Ready for swatches?”