The Matchmaking Pact

The Matchmaking Pact
Carolyne Aarsen

Lily Marstow and Alyssa Cane think they have the perfect plan. After all, helping their single parents fall in love shouldn't be that hard. But Silas Marstow wants nothing to do with the woman who lost track of his child for precious minutes in the aftermath of the High Plains tornado. And Josie Cane is busy caring for her ailing grandmother and rebuilding her life.The girls' matchmaking pact is in jeopardy unless they can make their parents see the love that's right in in front of them.

It had been six years since Josie had a man over for supper.

Six years since her responsibilities completely changed the course of her life. Six years since she carried Alyssa away from the hospital, a confused little girl of two, an orphan, with only her aunt Josie to take care of her.

An aunt who up until then had lived life on her own terms. Josie’s life had taken a 180-degree turn, and there were many times since then that she thanked God for a second chance to redeem herself. Both in His eyes and in the eyes of the community.

She was determined to be a good mother to Alyssa, to focus solely on the little girl and her needs.

And now a man’s voice reverberated from the living room. A man was joining them for dinner. And not just any man: Silas Marstow.

After the Storm:

A Kansas community unites to rebuild

Healing the Boss’s Heart—Valerie Hansen

July 2009

Marrying Minister Right—Annie Jones

August 2009

Rekindled Hearts—Brenda Minton

September 2009

The Matchmaking Pact—Carolyne Aarsen

October 2009

A Family for Thanksgiving—Patricia Davids

November 2009

Jingle Bell Babies—Kathryn Springer

December 2009

CAROLYNE AARSEN

and her husband, Richard, live on a small ranch in Northern Alberta, where they have raised four children and numerous foster children, and are still raising cattle. Carolyne crafts her stories in her office with a large west-facing window, through which she can watch the changing seasons while struggling to make her words obey.

The Matchmaking Pact

Carolyne Aarsen

Special thanks and acknowledgment to

Carolyne Aarsen for her contribution to the

After the Storm miniseries.

Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.

—Matthew 11:28

To those whose lives have been torn apart by storms—without and within

Contents

Prologue

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

Questions for Discussion

Prologue