An Unexpected Match Read Online Free Page B

to interview.”
    Amy shrugged as she rinsed dishes and loaded them in the dishwasher. “Up to you.”
    â€œYes, it is.”
    His mother clearly disagreed with him, but as Elizabeth’s father, it was up to him to decide who should provide care for her. What kind of father would he be to trust his child to someone as flighty as Haley? He couldn’t even understand why his mother had suggested it, except that Haley was her best friend’s daughter.
    His obligation was to his own daughter, whose needs he would always put ahead of his own or anyone else’s. Elizabeth deserved better than a child-care provider who might desert her without looking back. Might do exactly what his ex-wife had done.
    â€œShe isn’t Stacey, you know,” his mother said.
    Matthew blinked. His mother was bringing out the big guns if she was mentioning his ex. He’d declared that name off-limits, and usually his family abided by that rule. Before he could call out his mother for breaking the rule, though, Jenna pushed through the door, carrying an armful of dishes. Haley followed right behind her, but she only had dishes in one hand because his daughter was holding the other.
    Matthew glanced surreptitiously at his mother, who caught his attention and grinned. He started shoving dishesinto the dishwasher, hoping the others hadn’t overheard their earlier conversation.
    â€œI was just telling Haley that when I get back from the florist tomorrow, we can go shopping for some new outfits,” Jenna said. “There are so many cute styles for spring.”
    â€œJenna, I don’t think—”
    â€œAw, come on. It’ll be fun.”
    Their mother and Caroline entered the kitchen, stopping just inside the door.
    â€œYou know…shopping therapy,” Jenna continued. “Haley will want to look her best when she gets back out there.”
    â€œBack out there?”
    The dread in Haley’s voice couldn’t be missed. She didn’t sound anywhere near ready to be out there again. Matthew knew what that was like, and he could also relate to times when relatives’ well-meaning help felt too much like pressure.
    â€œShopping therapy might work for some, but are you sure that’s what your sister wants to do?” Matthew turned to Haley. “Haley, what do you want to do?”
    â€œThat is the question of the day.” Haley shook her head, appearing overwhelmed with the thought. “Haley Scott, what do you plan to do with the rest of your life?” For the last, she took on a game show announcer’s voice.
    â€œI’m not talking about the rest of your life. Just tomorrow.” Matthew had been searching for a way to help, and now it seemed obvious: He could give her something to do to take her mind off her problems. She probably needed a temporary distraction even if he doubted she would accept that distraction from him. They hadn’t exactly parted on the best of terms the last time they’d seen each other.
    â€œOh, tomorrow. I hadn’t really thought about it.”
    â€œWell, I have an idea if you need one. Something fun.”
    â€œLike what?”
    Her answer surprised him since he expected an automatic “no.” He cleared his throat before giving his pitch. “I’m chaperoning a youth group road rally at church, and I thought you might like to tag along.”
    â€œSounds to me as if they’re short on volunteers.”
    â€œNo. That’s not it,” he began, but he stopped when the side of her mouth lifted. “I just thought—Anyway, it’s a photo scavenger hunt, and I’m one of the drivers.”
    Matthew placed a few more glasses in the top rack of the dishwasher, giving her a chance to answer. When she didn’t, he hurried on. “The youth group kids are great. I’ve chaperoned several of their trips, and they’ve been a lot of fun.”
    He didn’t know why he was selling