Page 23 of My Mismatched Valentine

“Do we have a wedding today or what?” Glamma throws out the question without apology.

“I don’t have a dress—”

Dustin lifts one corner of his mouth in a sexy grin. The fear in those blue eyes is fading, giving way to love. Also, lust. Lots and lots of lust. “Thereareperks to marrying a billionaire, you know.”

“Let’s go shopping!” Grandma Olive announces with a clap.

“Oh, this is so exciting!” Marjorie beams. “I promise you’re going to swoon once I’m done with my new article.”

“She’s agreed to cover our story—therealstory that gets your stamp of approval before publication,” Dustin explains, slipping his hand to mine and subtly leading me through the forest of roses to the hallway. “Otherwise, I’ll be suing her for slander.”

“Is the plane ready, dear?” Glamma asks.

“Yes. Go ahead. We’ll meet you there. We need twenty minutes,” Dustin answers.

“Only twenty?” I tease.

“I’ll make up the rest tonight when I get you out of your wedding dress.”

Epilogue

MAGGIE

About five months later…

“You’re a life saver, Andie.” I pull the bakery box with my name on it from the to-go stand and set it on the counter, ready to burst into tears with relief. Pregnancy hormones are crazy. “I know it’s not Christmas, but I was desperate for eggnog cupcakes.”

“They’re made with pasteurized eggs, so safe for momma and baby.” Andie’s smile doesn’t reach her eyes as she takes my credit card. It could be my crazy baby brain, or it could be my matchmaker instinct kicking in. Before I can ask, Andie adds, “If you have any more cravings, just shoot me a text.”

I’m not the only pregnant woman in Caribou Creek that Andie Jensen caters to. Eggnog cupcakes, surprisingly, are not even in her top ten weirdest request list. She never seems put out by any of my strange, last-minute orders. I stare at my friend, overcome with emotion. She’s simply an amazing human being. I burst into instant tears. “I’m sorry,” I sob, wiping away the moisture with a customBaked by Andienapkin. “I’m just so emotional lately! My clients can’t tell whether I’m happy or sad for them. It’s a mess.”

“I’m sure they know,” Andie says, patting my hand. “People come from all over the world, after all.”

“Isn’t it amazing?” The tears still stream down my cheeks as I think about this small miracle. My boutique matchmaking office right here in Caribou Creek. The quarterly trips I have planned for matchmaking events in other parts of the world. A waitlist already six months deep. In my wildest dreams, I couldn’t have imagined things would turn out this wonderfully. “They trustmeto find them true love. It’s such a beautiful thing! I could help you—”

“No thanks.” Andie opens my box. “Have a cupcake!”

I reach for a cupcake while rubbing my baby bump and the tears stop. Dustin and I didn’t waste much time getting started on a family. A wicked grin forms at the thought of how much fun we’ve had creating our little bundle of joy. In every room of that log mansion. One that feels so much more like a home now that it’s not so bare. Karl doesn’t even know what to do with himself with all that space.

My mouth is stuffed full of an eggnog cupcake when Millie Norman pops into the bakery. I step aside so Andie can help her, thankful my mouth is full. I’m not the best at filtering my comments lately—thanks hormones—and I can’t help the thoughts running rampant. Millie is Stormin’ Norman’s grandmother. She and Andie have a strained at best relationship.

“Millie, how can I help you?” Andie asks, her voice mechanical. As though she’s turned into an emotionless robot.

“Just wanted to pick up some of those stars and stripes cookies. A dozen should do it.”

“Of course.” Andie sets to work as I swallow the last of my first cupcake. Thank the gods that I have five more.

“Maggie Parsons—or should I sayMrs. Wilde—how are you doing these days?” Millie’s voice turns sweet at the sight of me,causing irrational guilt. What happened with her grandson isn’t Andie’s fault. Not really.

“I’m fabulous, Millie. Thank you for asking.”

“And baby?”

I rub my bump automatically. “Happy and healthy so far. We’ll get to find out what we’re having at our next appointment.”

“That’s wonderful news! A child is such a blessing.”

“Indeed.”

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