A Groom Worth Waiting For. Crystal Stovall

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СКАЧАТЬ a career as an accountant. But it was his hobbies—the horses and the Wynn family land—that truly satisfied his heart. He chose to work as an accountant in order to make a living for the family he one day hoped to support, but he was most content and fulfilled when he was riding or caring for his horses or walking on the land where his great-grandfather and grandfather had walked before him.

      “So, you’d be open to a variety of positions,” Matt clarified. When Amy hesitated before answering, he knew it wouldn’t be easy to get her to go along with his idea. But then maybe he was pushing too hard to keep her in his life. Still, he was convinced Amy and his aunt Lila were a perfect match. While his plan served his desire to keep Amy in his life, it also greatly benefited his aunt. And Aunt Lila’s health and well-being were major concerns of his, as well as the rest of the Wynn family.

      “At this point, I can’t be picky,” Amy finally admitted.

      “Well, maybe I can help,” Matt said, deciding to leave it at that until Amy and Aunt Lila had had a chance to meet.

      Silently, he sent a prayer heavenward. Dear Lord, if it’s Your will for Amy to stay here, let Aunt Lila and Amy both see how much they need each other. It was out of his hands for now. It was in the care of someone who saw the bigger picture.

      The front door of the stately house flew open, and Aunt Lila stepped onto the wide veranda. A month ago, she would have run across the yard with both arms flung wide, eager to hug him and feel for herself that he was okay. But recent surgery had slowed the sixty-year-old woman down, and for the first time Matt was worried about the aunt he adored. Then he saw her bright, youthful smile, and fifteen years melted from her countenance.

      Taking off at a jog, Matt rushed toward her. She hugged him tightly, then sandwiching his chin between her agile hands, she looked him over.

      “I’ve been watching the live coverage on TV. You had me worried,” she said, a glimmer of tears in her eyes. Though she’d never had children of her own, it hadn’t stopped her from spoiling Matt as if he were hers. “You don’t know how glad I am to see you.”

      “To tell the truth, I was a little worried, too,”

      Peering around Matt, Aunt Lila said, “And you must be Amy Jenkins.”

      The older woman extended her hand, and Amy gracefully accepted the warm welcome.

      “I’m pleased to meet you. I owe your nephew my life.”

      “I suspect you had to depend on each other in order to survive,” Aunt Lila said matter-of-factly. “And after such an ordeal, you must be starving. I set out an early lunch. You can tell me everything while we eat.” Pointing a finger at Matt, she said, “Don’t leave out a single detail.”

      “Aunt Lila,” Matt protested. “You shouldn’t have. You know the doctor released you from the hospital on the promise you’d take it easy.”

      Looking beyond Matt, Aunt Lila spoke to Amy. “You understand, dear. There’s nothing like puttering in the kitchen to soothe the nerves. Besides, my sister, Louise, brought a roast and deviled eggs yesterday. I just set them on the counter. You’ll have to help yourselves.”

      Amy smiled with understanding, and Matt felt a glimmer of hope.

      The lush pastures, the magnificent home and Aunt Lila’s feisty spirit were too much for Amy to take in at once. Several times she’d lost track of the conversation and hadn’t realized Aunt Lila had spoken to her as her gaze roamed the spacious kitchen, admiring the unique collection of antiques or enjoying the view through the large window. At first, she worried that she’d offended the woman with her wandering mind, but she soon realized Aunt Lila was pleased to find Amy entranced with the home she dearly loved.

      To her surprise, she answered Aunt Lila’s questions when she’d been reluctant to share personal information with Matt. For some reason she couldn’t fully identify, Aunt Lila put her at ease. She felt comfortable in this house, and after the unsettling morning, she wasn’t in a hurry to leave the older woman’s nest.

      “They said on the news you’d just moved here.” Aunt Lila pushed her food around her plate, then nibbled on an egg.

      “I grew up in a small Ohio town,” Amy volunteered. “There wasn’t much opportunity there, and when I decided to leave, Lexington seemed like a great place to make a fresh start.”

      Aunt Lila nodded as if she understood completely what Amy meant, though that was impossible. From a corner chair, Matt sipped a cup of coffee while he quietly observed the exchange between the two women. Amy hadn’t given him a second thought until the curious look in his eyes turned smug. She had the oddest feeling that this moment was progressing exactly as he’d choreographed. And that bothered Amy.

      “How long ago did you move here?” Aunt Lila asked.

      “Today was my first official day.”

      “Oh, my,” she exclaimed. “What a fine welcome you’ve received!”

      “This morning was certainly more exciting than I’d hoped for,” Amy admitted.

      Aunt Lila rose slowly, refilled the coffee mugs, then set a plate of sugar cookies on the table. “They’re Matt’s favorite. I know as long as I keep them stocked he’ll keep hanging around.”

      Matt smiled, as if he’d heard this comment before. “Now, Aunt Lila, don’t be giving away my secrets so soon.”

      “Don’t be certain this young woman hasn’t already seen clear through you,” Aunt Lila quipped.

      “What’s there to see?” Matt joked. “I’m an open book.”

      Amy looked from Matt to his aunt, suddenly feeling like the outsider. She’d been right, Matt was up to something. Impatiently, she stood, having had enough of the conversation. “If there’s something to be said, I wish someone would come out and say it. Otherwise, I’ve got to be going. While I appreciate your hospitality, I’ve got important matters to attend to.” Like finding a place to live and a decent job.

      Matt opened his mouth, but didn’t say anything.

      “Well,” Aunt Lila prodded. “Are you going to ask her or do I have to?”

      “I’m not sure what you mean,” Matt said.

      Aunt Lila rolled her eyes.

      When Matt didn’t respond quickly enough to please Aunt Lila, she charged ahead. “It’s fairly simple, actually. I’m only a few days home from the hospital, and my family is worried that I’m overdoing it. They’ve tried to convince me to hire help, but until now I’ve refused.”

      Amy nodded, beginning to understand the situation. “And your nephew knows I’m out of work, not to mention that I’d like to repay him for his courage.”

      Matt leaned forward in his chair. “Well, it just seemed to me that you both—”

      “What do you think, Amy?” Aunt Lila interrupted.

      “I don’t know what to say. You don’t really know me.” And I don’t know you at all, she thought. Though the offer seemed to be the answer to her immediate problems, was it prudent to move into the home of a virtual stranger?

      “We’ll СКАЧАТЬ