A Texas-Made Match Read online

  Matchmaker—Matched!

  For Ellie O’Brien, finding the perfect partner is easy—as long as it’s for other people. Now the townsfolk of Peppin want to return the favor. But how could Lawson Williams be the right choice? The handsome ranch foreman was her childhood friend, but he’s the man Ellie deems least likely to court a tomboy with a guilty secret.

  Lawson can’t help enjoying the town’s efforts to push him together with Ellie, though marriage isn’t in his plans. Yet Ellie’s become a warm, spirited woman who could chase away the clouds of his past. And with a whole town on their side, they could claim a love as big and bold as Texas itself...

  “You, Ellie O’Brien, are afraid to take off the blinders that keep you from seeing yourself as everyone else sees you—as a kind, beautiful, spontaneous woman.”

  Ellie stared at Lawson in awe. He thought she was beautiful? Hadn’t he always thought of her as one of the boys? Hadn’t he always seen her as a surrogate little sister? Apparently somehow that had changed. He now saw her as beautiful—a woman. She swallowed. Why did that send her heart galloping in her chest?

  He carefully guided her chin up until she was forced to meet the knowing smile in his eyes. “You’re the kind of woman who wouldn’t have any trouble finding herself a husband, if she didn’t try so hard to cross every suitable man off her list or give him away to her friends.”

  She didn’t have anything to say because she’d suddenly realized why those relatively suitable men had seemed so unsuitable. She realized it because she was staring the reason right in the face. She, Ellie O’Brien, had a crush on Lawson Williams.

  Books by Noelle Marchand

  Love Inspired Historical

  Unlawfully Wedded Bride

  The Runaway Bride

  A Texas-Made Match

  NOELLE MARCHAND

  Her love of literature began as a child when she would spend hours reading beneath the covers long after she was supposed to be asleep. Over the years, God began prompting her to write. Eventually those stories became like “fire shut up in her bones,” leading her to complete her first novel at fifteen. Now, at the age of twenty-four, that fire of inspiration continues to burn.

  Noelle is a Houston native who graduated from Houston Baptist University in May 2012. She received a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication with a focus in journalism and Speech Communication.

  Noelle Marchand

  A Texas-Made Match

  Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

  —Philippians 3:13,14

  Dedicated with love to my father and brother.

  Special thanks to Elizabeth Mazer

  for allowing me to share all three of

  the O’Brien’s stories! Also, thanks to Karen Ball

  of Steve Laube Agency for all her hard work.

  Contents

  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

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Epilogue

  Dear Reader

  Questions for Discussion

  Excerpt

  Chapter One

  Peppin, Texas

  September 1888

  Ellie O’Brien was not the type of girl to chase after men.

  That might have to change.

  After all, today was her twenty-first birthday. While that hadn’t stopped her from revisiting her mischievous youth by climbing to her favorite place in the whole world—the top of the waterfall that pooled into her family’s creek—it was pushing marriageable age. This wouldn’t have been a problem in most Western towns, where the scarcity of women allowed them to take their time picking husbands. The town of Peppin didn’t have that problem, though. Women were plentiful, and the competition between them, while friendly, was still fierce. Ellie had never attempted to jump into the fray before. Now, though it might be too late, she wanted to at least try.

  But first, one more moment of being a child.

  Her fingers teased the hairpins from her hair with a familiarity born of desperation, then tossed them to the dry ground below like the nuisances they were. She shook out her curly golden tresses, reveling in her newfound freedom as the wind made her hair bounce in disarray. Warm mud oozed between her bare toes as she stepped closer to the precipice. The water rushed past her feet, urging her to join its free fall away from the side of the waterfall and into the creek seven feet below. If she took that final step forward, there would be no going back.

  Literally and figuratively. She bit her bottom lip as she peered over through the treetops at the rolling green hills that stretched beyond their property. Perhaps it was too romantic to hope that courtship would be as exhilarating as a sheer fall or as refreshing as the cool shock of cold water that followed—but a gal could hope.

  It wasn’t as if she were only interested in the romance part of getting a husband. Oh, no. Ellie also wanted the adventure that would come with it. After all, her sister Kate had quite the adventure when she fell in love with Nathan Rutledge. Their courtship commenced with a shoot-out, continued with Kate’s abduction and was clinched with an arson fire. And then there was Lorelei, Ellie’s sister-in-law of nearly one year. She found love through a run-in with a con artist, a secret engagement and a bank robbery.

  Ellie blew out a frustrated sigh then whispered to a God she knew was listening. “It isn’t as if I want to be abducted or almost killed or anything. I just know what a girl needs to do to get a little excitement around here—find love.”

  And it worked both ways. There was nothing like a little excitement and danger to make people look at each other in new ways, see things about each other that they hadn’t noticed before. In that respect, she could use all the help she could get, living in a town where every eligible man saw her as a little sister.

  She couldn’t exactly blame them. She’d been a consummate tomboy growing up. She didn’t regret one moment she’d spent climbing trees, riding horses, swimming in the creek—they’d all held far more appeal than giggling and flirting with boys like the girls too afraid of mussing their dresses to have any fun. At some point those giggling, flirting girls had started getting beaus who turned into suitors and then into husbands. But not Ellie. Even though she’d abandoned her hoydenish ways years ago, she hadn’t been able to shake the label of “tomboy” the town had given her or change the way the young men saw her—yet.

  She was ready for the most important adventures of her life, like love, marriage, motherhood. She just needed someone to share them with. And if it took a little danger or excitement to make that happen...well, she was up for it.

  “I’m ready to do my part, Lord. Is a little help too much to ask?”

  She didn’t wait for an answer. She knew only God could join two hearts toge
ther—but that didn’t mean He couldn’t have help. When it came to her siblings, Ellie had helped Him along as much as possible. There was a reason she’d been dubbed the best matchmaker in Peppin. She was the best in town at spotting a match and pulling it off.

  But who would help the matchmaker find a match?

  No one. That’s who. She was going to have to do it on her own, and she was starting today. First things first: she had to figure out a way to climb down from the waterfall without messing up her day dress. Being adventurous was easier when I wore bloomers.

  There was a simpler way to get down. She peered over the waterfall’s tabletop once more, knowing that if she didn’t have plans for the afternoon she would have taken that route. Suddenly, Kate’s voice shot through the air with startling volume. “Ellie, don’t!”

  She jerked toward the sound, knocking herself off balance and sending her arms churning like a tilted windmill. She fell into the creek with a loud splash. The cool water enveloped her and swept her skirts up around her ears before Ellie pushed off the muddy bottom. She surfaced and searched for her cinnamon-haired sister. Kate’s sensible blue dress stood out against the riot of red, orange and yellow wildflowers that painted the banks of the creek.

  Ellie swam toward the shore. “I wasn’t going to jump. You startled me!”

  “Oh, no!” Kate placed one hand over her mouth and another on her hip as she shook her head. “I’m so sorry. What were you doing up there in the first place?”

  Ellie shivered in the slight breeze as she stepped onto dry grass. “Reliving my youth.”

  “You’d better not—after all you put me through.” Kate grabbed the picnic blanket from the ground to wrap it around Ellie’s shoulders.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was perfect.” She lifted her nose, ignoring a laugh from her sister as she gathered the blanket closer. “What are you doing here so early, anyway? I thought you said I had two hours to myself.”

  “It’s been longer than two hours. We are supposed to meet Ms. Lettie and Lorelei at the café for your birthday lunch in thirty minutes.”

  “I’m sorry. I must have lost track of time.”

  “That’s all right. So did I.” Kate grabbed the picnic basket from the ground and began to lead the way to the farmhouse. “It can’t be helped now. You’ll have to change clothes and redo your hair.”

  Ellie paused. “I hadn’t thought of that. Do you think it would make a difference?”

  Kate tossed a confused look over her shoulder. “Of course it would. You can’t go into town drenched.”

  She laughed. “I forgot you can’t read my mind. I meant do you think it would make a difference with men if I changed my hair or clothes?”

  “What men? Why should it make a difference? Why would you want to...?” Kate shook her head. “What are you talking about?”

  “I’m twenty-one. Isn’t it time I tried to catch a husband?” It was a little difficult to force the words out through her chattering teeth. “Do you think I even could?”

  Kate rubbed her back to try to warm her. “You’re more likely to catch a cold if you don’t get changed. As for a husband, there’s no need to rush. Why? Are you interested in someone?”

  “No.”

  They caught sight of the two-story farmhouse and Kate ushered her toward it. “Then don’t worry about it. Go change and try to be quick.”

  Ellie nodded then hurried into the house and up the stairs to her room. She quickly changed into dry clothes. A distant peal of laughter drew her attention to the large window facing the barn. She grabbed a hand towel from the vanity and dried her hair as she watched her brother-in-law tease her sister about something. Her nieces and nephew danced around their legs in anticipation of the promised ride that would keep them occupied while Kate and Ellie went into town. The couple stole a quick kiss before the whole family walked toward the barn.

  The smile that slipped across Ellie’s lips preempted a wistful sigh. She combed her fingers through her hair. It must make a girl feel awfully special to be loved. If a man loved me the way Nathan loves Kate and Sean loves Lorelei, well, it might make up for certain other things.

  On the heels of that thought rode a familiar yet vague feeling of guilt. She pushed it away stubbornly. Today was for celebrating the future, not belaboring distant memories of the past that probably meant nothing. A glimpse of Kate walking toward the house served as a welcome reminder of the need to hurry and sent her rushing to make up for the time she’d spent lollygagging.

  Thirty minutes later, Ellie glanced at the three women who’d taken time out of their busy day to help her celebrate her birthday. Kate sat across from her. Their dearly departed mother’s best friend, Mrs. Lettie Williams, sat to her right. Lorelei, her sister-in-law, sat on her left. They were all beautiful. They were all strong. They were all married. And Ellie? Well, she wasn’t sure she could lay a legitimate claim to any of those things.

  Either I’m being obsessive or I’m detecting a theme. She narrowed her eyes as Maddie settled their drinks on the table. “Maddie, would you happen to have a pencil and piece of paper I could use?”

  “Certainly.” Maddie pulled the pencil from behind her ear and tore a sheet of paper from the small tablet she carried in her pocket.

  “Thanks.” Ellie tilted her head, then wrote down on one side of the paper a list of the local bachelors who attended church. Then she started going down the list and writing in initials of certain young women in town alongside a few of the men’s names.

  Lettie’s curious voice broke through her thoughts. “Ellie, what are you doing?”

  Her hand paused in its feverish pace. She glanced up to find all three women watching her. Her gaze dropped to the paper in her hands before she offered them an innocent smile. “I’m finding myself a husband.”

  Kate nearly choked on the sip of water she’d taken. Lorelei stared at her, mouth agape. Lettie started chuckling and couldn’t seem to stop. “The world would be a dull place without you, Ellie.”

  Ellie grinned. “Wouldn’t it?”

  Lettie leaned forward. “How exactly is that piece of paper going to help you find a husband?”

  Ellie shrugged. “By process of elimination. I’ll match the eligible young men with the women they are interested in and go from there.”

  “Oh, Ellie.” Lorelei laughed then leaned across the table for a better view. “Let me help.”

  Kate had always tried to put a damper on Ellie’s escapades. Nathan was content to sit on the sidelines and enjoy whatever scene she’d caused. As a child, her brother, Sean, had always been in the thick of things with her, but eventually he became too sensible to be involved in any excitement she might cause. Then he’d married Lorelei. Ellie’s world had not been the same since. She finally had a partner in crime.

  Lorelei scooted her chair closer. Ellie glanced up at Kate’s exasperated sigh. She didn’t buy that for a moment. Kate’s eyes were filled with just as much laughter as Lettie’s. Ellie picked up the pencil and got back to work. Kate covered her grin by taking another sip of water. “Ellie does seem to have a sixth sense when it comes to detecting romance.”

  Ellie glanced at Lettie. The woman was responsible for Ellie’s “sixth sense” and didn’t even know it. Lettie told her at a young age that it didn’t always matter so much what a person said as what a person didn’t say. For that reason, Ellie had spent her life picking up on the little clues no one else noticed. Like the way Maddie’s tone of voice changed when she asked for Jeff Bridger’s order, and the way his nervous fingers straightened his collar while he gave it.

  She added Maddie’s initials to Jeff’s name before handing it to Lorelei. “Now, tell me who is left without initials by his name. I’m going to ask you to mark off the men I could not possibly see myself with. Hopefully, we’ll find a winner.”

&
nbsp; “Christian Johansen.”

  Ellie shook her head. The young man had been her good friend for years, but she couldn’t imagine him as anything more.

  “Rhett Granger.” Lorelei glanced up. “He’s handsome.”

  “I thought I marked him off. He’s taken.”

  Lorelei leaned toward her. “Taken by whom?”

  “Never mind that.” She leaned back to give the women a knowing glance. “Just mark my words.”

  “Donovan Turner.”

  Ellie froze. Her gaze shot to Lorelei’s mirth-filled eyes and she frowned. “Lorelei O’Brien, that man was not allowed on my list. He gives me the willies. Who’s left?”

  Lorelei exchanged a glance with Kate. “No one.”

  “What? How is that possible?”

  Kate leaned over to look at the list. “Everyone else has initials. Some have question marks by them, though. What do those mean?”

  Ellie frowned. “It means I’m sure of what the man thinks, or the woman, but not both. I suppose those are still possibilities—until I find out for sure if they’re really taken. But there’s really no one else without initials?”

  Kate shook her head. “You paired off every decent man on the list.”

  Ellie sat in stunned silence. “I’m going to be a spinster.”

  “Don’t say that.” Lorelei sounded horrified.

  She buried her face in her hands. “Why not? It’s true.”

  “What’s true, Ellie?” Maddie sidled up to the table with their plates.

  Ellie spread her fingers to peer up at Maddie. “I’m going to die a decrepit old maid.”

  Maddie laughed. “Don’t be silly.”

  Ellie straightened abruptly and nearly managed to bump her head on the plate Maddie was setting in front of her. She met the woman’s dark brown eyes adamantly. “It isn’t silly. It isn’t silly at all. I went through every bachelor in town and I’m pretty sure that none of them work.”