Page 75 of Loved By Tandy

“Matthew Gallagher, you are such a romantic.”

“And there’s a Big Hunk under your pillow.”

She reaches for the buttons on my shirt. “We’ll save that for later. Right now, I’m more interested in the big hunk in front of me.”

Laughing, I flop onto the bed and pull her down on top of me. “Flattery will get you anything you want.”

“I want you, Matthew.”

EPILOGUE

TANDY

The rec room is decked out in streamers and twinkle lights as we celebrate the official opening of Matchmaker Ranch. Our first matches arrive next week.

Jeffrey and Mindy are bringing food in from the kitchen across the breezeway and setting up the buffet table. and Steph and Blake are supposed to be setting up all the drinks, but they keep disappearing onto the patio. And I am not going to check on them.

Beau, Clint, and Mad Dog are playing pool. Lilith, Joji, and Ava are looking through the photo book that shows the progress from empty land to what it is now. Matthew made it for me, and I keep it in this room so that all our guests will be able to look through it.

Jeffrey claps. “Food is ready. Everyone, come and grab a plate. Tandy, you and Matthew are at the front of the line.”

We all get food and drinks, then settle around the long farm table at the end of the room.

Matthew says, “Thank y’all for coming. It’s incredible to see Tandy’s dream come true. And we’re very excited about the love matches that will spark here in the years to come.”

Beau lifts his glass. “To Tandy and Matchmaker Ranch.”

“I’ll drink to that.” I’m giddy about this new venture, and I’m more than thankful that I’m not tackling it alone.

Conversation flows as we eat. Then Lilith asks the important question. “Who’s getting matched? Did you have a lot of applicants? Was it hard choosing?”

Matthew nudges me.

“We only had a few applicants. I’m hoping that will change after a successful match. But y’all are to thank for the ones we have. Word of mouth is what drew these possible matches to the ranch. Lilith, you mentioned that you told all the ranch hands and their wives about the matchmaking. Well, that’s why Quince Templeton signed up. His sister Daisy is married to Grayson. She told him that he’d be helping me out by doing this and that he could possibly find love. So fingers crossed that he does.”

“Who is he matched with?” Joji leans forward. “It takes two to tango.”

“I have Colt to thank for the other applicant. He helps out Zeke De Los Santos from time to time. And Zeke’s daughter has a single friend named Hannah. She’s eager to find love.”

“Well, if you ever need to borrow my ladder…” Beau laughs. “You’ll have to ask Ava where she hides it.”

Ava tosses a chunk of bread at Beau. “If you didn’t break your leg, I wouldn’t have to hide it.”

I lift my glass. “As you all know. I’m excited about matchmaking people. Even more so now that I have my own sweetheart. But I would never have dreamed of this if it hadn’t been for all of you and the friendship you offered me. When I moved back to town, I was a lonely old woman who occupied my time writing books. And I still write a few, but so much of my life is spent living and enjoying time with friends. And for that, I thank you. I love all of y’all. Truly.”

Clint wipes his eyes. “You didn’t have to make me cry.” Then he winks.

“We like you too, Tandy.” Blake drapes an arm around Stephanie. “You helped Steph see what was right in front of her. I mean me, in case that was confusing.”

Beau nods. “And you’re the reason I had to let Lilith take pictures of me with my shirt off. After that, she fell hard.”

“I’m thankful you bought that awful couch that Joji had stashed in the barn. It hurt to look at it.” Clint chuckles.

They continue telling stories of how I’ve touched their lives, and I lean my head on Matthew’s shoulder. I’m not lonely anymore.

Matthew setshis cowboy hat on his head and stands by my office door. “Who’s arriving first?”

“Quince Templeton. He’s six five, so he’ll be easy to spot. He used to be a football player. Bring him here, and I’ll get him all signed in.” I rub my hands together. “Hannah Nichols gets here in an hour, and then Haley will be here for the meet shoot. That’s what I’m calling it. It’s a photoshoot of the meet cute, so a meet shoot.”

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