Contents
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Title Page
Dedication
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
EPILOGUE
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Other Books
About the Author
Copyright
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NEVER SAY MATCH
No Match for Love book 9
by
Lindzee Armstrong
Dedicated to my Oklahoma grandmother, Geraldine Winters, who always believed one day I’d be published. I miss you!
CHAPTER ONE
The minutes right before ten a.m. were by far the most nerve-racking part of Cassidy’s day. She looked around the bakery with a critical eye, searching for anything that might be out of place. The Victorian couch and two high-backed chairs that she’d reupholstered sat at the front of the store, the lines from the handheld vacuum still visible on the fabric. The mismatched tables and chairs—yard sale finds she’d painted vibrant colors—had been wiped down. The display case next to the cash register overflowed with freshly baked cupcakes, cookies, brownies, and cakes, the front of the case wiped clean of the smudges and fingerprints from yesterday. She could still smell the key lime from the cupcake of the day mixing with the more traditional scents of chocolate and vanilla.
The minute hand on the large wall clock ticked to the upright position. Ten o’clock exactly. Cassidy took a deep breath, then flipped the sign on the glass front door from closed to open, praying she’d sell enough this month to cover her rent and basic costs—no easy feat in a town as small as Sunset Plains, where the customers were loyal but few. If her parents didn’t generously let her live at home rent-free, she’d never have been able to qualify for the bank loan that allowed her to open Cupcakes and Cowboys. And while living at home wasn’t ideal, she’d forever be grateful for their support of her dreams.
The next half hour was quiet, with only the soft sounds of the radio to keep her company. Cassidy didn’t let the lack of customers dampen her spirits and hummed along to the country song. Mondays were always her slowest day of the week, and mornings were even slower. She sat on the stool behind the counter, using the tablet that doubled as her cash register to respond to emails, when the bell on the front door jingled.
Cassidy looked up, her heart jumping in anticipation of her first customer of the day. The shadow against the frosted glass door was short and curvy, suggesting a woman. She hoped it was Mrs. Smith, who always bought one of the more expensive cakes to satisfy her sweet tooth. But it wasn’t elderly Mrs. Smith at the door. Anabeth Collins walked in, the morning sun highlighting her platinum curls briefly before the door swung shut. She set her sunglasses on top of her head and walked across the laminate floor, the click of her cowboy boots echoing in the empty room as her eyes took in everything. Anabeth and Cassidy hadn’t run in the same circles in high school, but they’d been friendly to each other. With a graduating class of only thirty-two students, they’d all known each other pretty well.
“Good morning,” Cassidy said, smiling at Anabeth. She wasn’t the type to eat carbs or sugar, but her mother was a frequent customer.
Anabeth looked around, her gaze approving. “This is a right fine shop you’ve got here. Mama talks about it a lot. I’ve been meaning to stop in.”
Satisfaction rolled through Cassidy, reminding her once again that everything she’d gone through in the past year was worth the opportunity to live out her dream. “Thank you. I’m really happy with how it turned out. What can I do for you today?”
Anabeth set her purse on the counter, the diamond in her engagement ring flashing. “I want you to bake my wedding cake.”
Cassidy inhaled sharply, her chest suddenly ice cold in direct contrast to the warm June day. Her mind flashed back to the last wedding cake she’d baked and decorated—her own. She’d spent hours on the gum paste flowers and baked a tier of spice cake—Seth’s favorite—even though the smell had made her stop three times to throw up. She still didn’t know what her mama did with the cake when Seth failed to show up at the church. It had been three hundred and thirty-nine days, but Cassidy’s heart still bled every time she thought about it.
She looked away, straightening the small stack of customer loyalty cards next to the cash register. “I don’t do wedding cakes. Sorry.”
Anabeth let out an exasperated sigh, like Cassidy was an obstinate toddler refusing to comply with a simple request. “I know you don’t like to do them, but you did that one in high school for Bethany Edwards and it was beautiful.”
“That was a long time ago.” Cassidy had turned down every single request since Seth left, despite how badly she needed the money.
“A wedding cake is the focus of the reception, and I need someone I know will do a good job. Here, I have a picture.” Anabeth pulled a wrinkled paper from her purse and handed it to Cassidy. The image looked like it had been torn from a magazine, and the left edge was jagged. It showcased a five-tiered wedding cake with white fondant and elegant silver piping. Pink sugar flowers trailed down the side.
Cassidy took a deep breath, fighting to control her emotions. It was remarkably similar to the cake she’d made for herself. Not that anyone had seen the finished product. It wasn’t like the cake had been served at a reception.
She thought about the money the cake would bring in—enough to pay an entire month’s rent on the bakery. She’d get a thirty day reprieve from counting cupcakes and praying to sell just a dozen more so she could make the payment. But then she remembered the way panic had engulfed her when her mama said no one could find Seth. She’d clawed at her wedding dress, the tight fabric on her growing stomach forcing her to lean over a trash can and empty her stomach before her mama could undo all the buttons.
“I can’t,” Cassidy said, forcing the words through her tight throat. “I’m really sorry. I’m happy to recommend a few alternatives.”
“You’re the only bakery in town.”
Like she didn’t already know that. But Sunset Plains wasn’t the only place to buy a cake. “There are lots of reputable bakeries in Tulsa. I’m sure any one of them would do an excellent job.”
“I want to order a wedding cake from you.” Anabeth folded her arms, her lips pulling down in a pout. “I won’t have time the day before my wedding for a two-hour drive to and from Tulsa to pick up a cake. Can’t you make an exception, just this once?”
Cassidy’s mind flashed to sitting on her bed, panic making her heart race and entire body clammy with sweat. She’d discovered blood when using the restroom. Her mother’s arms had wrapped tightly around her as she gasped, each cramp more intense than the last. She and Seth had planned to spend their wedding night at a bed and breakfast in Oklahoma City. Instead Cassidy had ended up in the small Sunset Plains emergency room without him.
“I’m more than happy to cater the reception or provide refreshments for the bridal shower,” Cassidy said, her voice thick. “But I can’t do the cake.”
Anabeth’s eyes flashed with anger. “I’d think a new bakery wouldn’t turn away a paying customer. I just want my wedding day to be p
erfect.”
And Anabeth Collins was used to getting her way. Cassidy gripped the countertop, her composure slipping. Any wedding day that ended with the bride and groom in the same room seemed pretty perfect to Cassidy. A sick pit lodged itself in her stomach as she thought about how much money she was turning away. “I’m really sorry, Anabeth.”
Anabeth folded her arms, her eyes narrowing into slits as she glared. “He’s in a movie, you know. With Jase Larson. I saw a trailer for it the other day.”
Cassidy’s knees trembled. Suddenly she was back in that sterile ER hospital bed hearing the words, “The heartbeat’s gone. I’m sorry.” The stress had proved too much for the unplanned pregnancy. Even though the thought of being a mother terrified Cassidy, losing the baby and Seth all at once had devastated her. “Wh—what?”
“It’s been a year, Cassidy. Get over it. He obviously has.”
The words hit Cassidy like a ton of bricks as Anabeth whirled and stomped toward the door, her blonde hair swaying against her back as she yanked it open. She walked past the front window and disappeared down the sidewalk, probably heading to the pharmacy her parents owned three doors down to complain to her mother.
Cassidy fumbled to turn on the tablet. She brought up the search engine and typed in Seth Harrington. Numerous articles appeared from various celebrity magazines. Her hand shook so badly it took three tries to properly tap the first link. The interview talked about how pleased Seth was to be in a movie with A-list actor Jase Larson, who’d taken Seth under his wing. It seemed the two had become close friends since Seth abandoned Cassidy for California.
She tapped on one article after another. By all accounts, the movie—a romantic comedy with a love triangle between two best friends and the girl they both loved—was supposed to be one of the blockbuster hits of the summer. Why hadn’t she heard about it before now? Had she been that out of touch?
Her finger hovered over a link for the trailer. This is what he’d abandoned her for.
She tapped on the link. Seth filled the screen, dressed in swim trunks and facing off with a shirtless Jase Larson. Seth looked so different from how she remembered him. His face was covered in dark scruff and his hair a few inches longer. And while he’d always been built, those washboard abs were new. “You’re not good enough for her,” Seth seethed as a beach teemed with tourists behind him.
“And you think you are?” Jase demanded, taking a step forward. “You think a five minute chat at a speed dating event compares to ten years being her friend?”
“I guess we’ll find out,” Seth said. “Game on. May the best man win.”
The two men shook hands as the scene cut to one with the female lead. The trailer was good, much as Cassidy hated to admit it. A fun and flirty romcom that would delight women everywhere.
She’d always known Seth had what it took to make it big—had believed in him so fiercely that she’d ignored her own career goals to help him with his. She’d spent hours on set, silently watching as he filmed various indie movies. A few even won awards and she’d stood proudly in the audience while he accepted every one.
She tapped the home button on the tablet with an angry jab. He’d taken a step forward in his career and left her to deal with the mess at home. Alone.
But she was better off without him, as hard of a lesson as it had been to learn. And in the end, it was better that a baby hadn’t been born into the mess that was her life.
Cassidy went through the rest of the day on auto-pilot. At seven o’clock, she closed the shop and left without going through her usual evening routine, taking the unsold product with her. It would be nice to sell out just once—the cowboys at Star Ranch hardly appreciated the hours she spent piping on frosting.
One day, she promised herself. The cowboys might not appreciate her piping skills, but they were sure appreciative of her baking abilities. Watching them devour the leftovers was always a good ego boost.
The sun glowed low in the sky, on its path toward setting. Cassidy rolled down the window of her truck and let the warm June breeze play with her hair as the stress melted away. Seth could have Hollywood—she would stay right here in Oklahoma and run her shop. She never should’ve put aside her dream for his. They’d planned to move to California after the wedding and she’d dreaded it. City life felt like a prison sentence.
She waved at the pastor’s wife as they passed each other on the narrow road, then turned down the long driveway to the ranch. The blacktop was rough with divots and potholes from the ice storms that winter, jostling the truck back and forth. Cassidy saw Cupcake, her chocolate-and-cream paint mare, grazing near the fence, and made a mental note to visit her after dinner.
Cassidy parked on the grass outside the red farmhouse and wandered inside, her shoulders relaxing at the comfort of home. She inhaled deeply and her nose filled with the scent of pork roast and hot rolls.
“I’m home, Mama,” Cassidy called, following her nose to the kitchen. “Do you need help with…?”
She froze under the archway between the kitchen and dining room, zeroing in on the unfamiliar man sitting at the barstool, his broad back on full display. A black T-shirt hugged his muscled arms. Drat. Her mother hadn’t mentioned they were having company for dinner. Maybe she could sneak upstairs and plead a headache.
The man glanced over his shoulder at her. A slow smile appeared, showcasing his blindingly white Hollywood grin while a dimple popped in one cheek.
Cassidy’s jaw dropped. Jase Larson, A-list celebrity. Seth’s co-star and new best friend. She’d always assumed his good looks were a product of lots of airbrushing, but clearly that wasn’t the case.
“Hi.” He rose from the barstool and strode toward her. Denim jeans clung to his legs with each step and Cassidy’s heart slammed against her ribcage. “I’m Jase.”
Cassidy’s hand was in his before she registered the action. His shake was strong and firm, and she fought the sudden and ridiculous urge to giggle. Her palms felt inexplicably sweaty and she rubbed them against her pant legs. Jase Larson. In her kitchen. What on earth was happening?
The awe at his unexpected presence disappeared as she remembered Seth’s praise of the man in the articles she’d read. “Oh, I know who you are, Jase Larson. Did Seth send you?”
Jase’s brow furrowed and he folded his massive arms. “I’m sorry?”
His confusion seemed genuine, but Seth had taught her to never trust an actor—they were experts at faking. Pain sliced viciously through Cassidy, sending a release of energy that left her feeling sick.
An actor. In her home. One that worked with Seth.
“Where’s my mama?” Cassidy demanded. “And how did you end up at my house?”
“She went upstairs to switch the laundry. And Shawn arranged everything. He’s been great.”
That stopped Cassidy cold. “What does my brother have to do with anything?”
“We met about six months ago on the Ocean Dream. When this role came up, I gave him a call.”
That was the cruise ship that Shawn had been a VIP coordinator on until recently. But if Shawn knew Jase, why hadn’t he ever said anything? She thought back over their recent conversations. They’d pretty much all focused on Shawn’s nauseatingly adorable devotion to his fiancée, Natalie. They’d met on the ship and Shawn had moved to Arizona to pursue a relationship.
She folded her arms and glared at Jase. “Shawn knows lots of celebrities. It’s an unfortunate consequence of his job. But that still doesn’t explain why you’re in my house.”
Jase’s full lips lifted in a slow smile, deepening the dimple in his cheek. “I’m a method actor.” His tone oozed with arrogant confidence, as though she should bow in awe at his dedication to his craft. Seth had been like that.
“And?” Cassidy snapped.
“And I just got a part in a western. I called Shawn, who talked to your dad, and we reached an agreement. I’ll be staying at the ranch for the next four months to prepare for my role.”
; CHAPTER TWO
When Jase had contacted Randy Erickson about spending four months at Star Ranch, he’d wanted one thing—escape from Hollywood. He hadn’t expected to run into this gorgeous woman barely an hour after arriving. She wore shorts that hugged her hips, a fitted gray T-shirt that emphasized her curves, and cowboy boots. Was that flour dusting her shoulder? It gave her a down-to-earth look that he adored. Blonde hair pulled back in a messy bun emphasized her prominent cheekbones and stormy gray eyes. She folded her arms across her chest and Jase fought to hold back a grin. He loved a woman with a little fight. Hollywood types were way too accommodating.
“You’re seriously going to stay here?” Cassidy’s full lips turned down in an enticing pout. He’d met her type before—spoiled prima donnas who threw tantrums when plans were changed without their approval.
“There aren’t a lot of hotels in town. And to get the true ranch experience, I should live like a ranch hand.” Jase needed to completely immerse himself in this role and not just play the character, but be the character. Acting no longer held the thrill it once had, and with each new role he struggled to regain the fire by diving deeper and deeper into character.
He hadn’t grown up dreaming of one day being a famous actor—he’d always been one. His mother was an award-winning producer and director. The fact that she was a successful woman in a man’s world only made Hollywood adore her more. Jase had been acting since before he could walk. Other career choices were never discussed. And in the beginning, he’d loved it. But not anymore.
Cassidy snorted, wrinkling her nose as though she smelled manure. “You’re going to wake up at dawn, feed the animals, mend fences—”
“Let me stop you right there, sweetheart.” The words felt as strange on his tongue as the day-old stubble on his face, but it seemed like something a ranch hand would say. He walked over to Cassidy and didn’t stop until their boots were touching. The top of her head barely came to his chest, and he stared down into her gray eyes, which crackled with anger. He expected her to step back, maybe play with her hair and look away with a coy flutter of her eyelashes. But she didn’t flinch, didn’t back down. Her feet didn’t budge an inch, and his respect for her grew. “I’m going to do all of it. For the next four months, I don’t want you to treat me any differently than you would any other ranch hand.”
Never Say Match (No Match for Love Book 9) Page 1
