Ruth Dale - Bachelor Available!

KEEP believing that, Terry, Emily thought as she reread yesterday’s E-mail missive from her cousin. Sitting in the reception area at Yellow Rose Matchmakers, she assured herself that there was no reason her entire life had to be an open book.

She’d arrived a few minutes early for her appointment and now, on the stroke of nine, the front door swung open and Cody James entered. Feeling guilty for no particular reason, she stuffed Terry’s E-mail into her jacket pocket and gave Cody a deliberately impersonal smile.

Before he could even speak to Teresa, Wanda’s door popped open. “How lovely! You’re both here. Please come in, children.”

Cody looked at Emily and Emily looked at Cody. It was as if Wanda’s announcement ended even this tenuous relationship between them. Once matched with different people, they’d go their separate ways and that would be that.

“After you,” he said.

She nodded her thanks and preceded him into the office, feeling intensely his presence just behind her. She’d never met a more magnetic man. When he was in the room, it was as if her entire being was somehow connected to his every move.

Silly. He certainly wasn’t her type. Too good-looking, for openers. Too different in his dreams, for closers.

“Sit down, children, do sit down.” Wanda indicated the same seats they’d occupied before. Turning, she limped behind the desk.

Emily exchanged an alarmed glance with Cody, who looked equally concerned. “Are you all right?” Emily asked the little woman. “Teresa said your accident wasn’t serious.”

Wanda waved concern aside. “No, no, I’m fine. A little stiff is all. That’s to be expected at my age.”

Emily felt greatly relieved. “Thank heaven. Uhh...you have something to tell us?”

“That’s right.”

Wanda just sat there, smiling. Watching attentively, Emily thought she saw a bruise on the woman’s forehead. Perhaps she’d been hurt more seriously than she’d admitted.

Finally, Cody cleared his throat. “We’re both a little curious how you happened to double up on our appointments again,” he said. A glance at Emily drew a nod of agreement. “Not that we mind.”

Another nod from Emily, this one less enthusiastic. Actually, she did mind. She felt uncomfortable around Cody, mostly because she was so attracted to him and knew such feelings were a complete waste of time.

“My goodness, why should you mind?” Wanda cocked her head and furrowed her brow. “I thought you’d have guessed by now.”

“Guessed what?” they asked together. This time, Emily and Cody exchanged frowns.

“Why, guessed that the two of you are made for each other. In fact, this is a match made in heaven!”

Emily gasped and fell back in her chair. “You’ve got to be kidding!”

Wanda looked hurt. “George never kids,” she said with great dignity, “and he never lies.”

“Is George ever wrong?” Cody sounded grim.

Wanda blinked her big blue eyes. “Not to my knowledge,” she said, frowning. “I thought you’d both be thrilled. It was obvious to me from the beginning that you belong together forever.”

“But, Wanda,” Emily protested, “we’re so different!”

“Opposites attract,” Wanda said serenely.

“We came here for different reasons,” Cody argued.

“That’s what makes a horse race.”

Cody looked around, a desperate gleam in his eyes. “But Emily isn’t interested in marriage and I won’t settle for anything less.”

“It’s a woman’s prerogative to change her mind.”

“But I don’t want to change my mind!”

“A woman can even change her mind about changing her mind,” Wanda pointed out. She pursed her soft lips. “I don’t know what’s the matter with you two,” she grumbled. “Did you come here because you want the help of a professional or not?”

“Well, yes,” Cody admitted.

“And a computer,” Emily chimed in. “I wanted the latest and most up-to-date guidance to be had.”

Wanda threw up her hands. “That’s what you’re getting, so what’s the problem?”

“Well...” Emily thought fast. “Could I see the computer printout for this match? I’d like to know just what George found about the two of us that’s so compatible.”

Wanda gasped. “No one has ever asked for such a thing.”

Even Cody looked puzzled by that. “Never?”

Wanda shook her silvery head.

“I’d really like to see that printout.” Emily felt she must stand firm. Here was a chance to get the information Terry needed, which would get him off her back once and for all.

Wanda grimaced and drummed her fingers on the desktop. With extreme reluctance, she said, “Of course, if you insist, I suppose I can try.”

“Try?” Emily echoed.

“George is so temperamental. Sometimes he gets his feelings hurt and then you don’t know what he...” As she spoke, she reached out with one hesitant forefinger to touch the keyboard. Instantly, she jerked back with a gasp.

Cody half rose from his chair. “What is it? Did George—did you get shocked or something?”

“The screen went blank!”

“The screen went...?” Cody walked around the desk until he could see the front of the computer. He frowned, leaned down and hit a couple of keys, then shook his head. “She’s right,” he said to Emily. “Nothing.”

“Is it broken?” Something fishy was going on here, Emily just couldn’t imagine what.

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