Read The Perfect Match for Free Online

friends. Still were. “What did you have in mind?”
    I’m really sorry about saying no, Honor. These past few weeks have given me time to think and I love you and I want to marry you. Now.
    “Drinks at O’Rourke’s?” he asked.
    “Sure! You bet.”
    “Fantastic,” he said, and his voice was warm. There was a pause. “I have something important to tell you, and I want to do it in person. I think—I hope—it’ll make you really happy.”
    The eggs sat up straighter. So did Honor.
    “Okay,” she said, pressing her fingers against her hot cheeks. “That sounds great.”
    “Seven o’clock?”
    Seven! That was in ninety-two minutes. “That works. I’ll see you then.”
    She sat there another minute, then sucked in an enormous breath, having forgotten how to breathe normally. Spike licked her chin in concern, and Honor patted her out of reflex. Turned to her computer and typed in Brogan’s words. Studied them. Read them aloud, very softly so her nephew wouldn’t hear.
    “Hey,” the same nephew said from her doorway, causing Honor to slap her laptop closed. Ned gave her a strange look. “Chill, Honor.”
    “What is it, Neddie dear?”
    “You okay? You look all blotchy.”
    “Shush, child. What do you want?”
    “I’m leaving. I have a date. And a life. You should try it some time.”
    “Very funny, Ned. Have fun. Drive carefully.”
    She waited till his footsteps had faded away, then opened her laptop and looked at those words again. I have something important to tell you, and I think—I hope—it’ll make you really happy.
    Could it be?
    Could this be exactly what she wished for?
    For one second, the scene flashed in front of her eyes. Herself, sitting at a little table at O’Rourke’s. Brogan on bended knee, the ring shining from a black velvet box. His question, her answer, the applause of the pub patrons, and then, finally, the feeling of his arms around her as he kissed her in public for the first time ever.
    Her heart was thudding. Could this really be about to happen to her? The most unsurprising of the Holland girls, the one who was steady as a rock, about to be the subject of such a romantic proposal, finally claimed by Brogan Cain?
    It was almost hard to believe. Yeah, about that, said the eggs. The years are precious, sure, but don’t jump the gun.
    She ignored them. Adjusted her hairband (pink-and-green plaid). Read the words again.
    It sure sounded like what she wanted it to sound like. Oh, yes, indeedy.
    Legs trembling slightly, Honor settled Spike in her purse (why have a five-pound dog if you couldn’t take her everywhere?), gave her an absentminded kiss on the head and walked across the lawn to the New House, where Mrs. Johnson was banging pots and pans in the kitchen. Dad was there as well, his face red, stuffing his hands into his faded jeans, a tear in the elbow of his flannel shirt.
    “Hi, guys,” Honor said.
    “Hello, Petunia,” Dad answered, taking off his baseball cap and running a hand through his hair. Mrs. Johnson growled, which was not uncommon.
    “Everyone good here?” Honor asked.
    “Of course! Why would you even ask such a question, Honor Grace Holland?” Mrs. J. demanded in her lilting accent. She slammed a pot on the stove. “Dinner will be ready in twenty minutes. How’s your brother? Is he hungry, do you think?”
    “I don’t know, Mrs. J. Give him a call. And I, uh, I have plans,” she said.
    “Good,” Dad said, his face flushing all the more. “I mean, good that you’ll get out with friends, sweetheart.”
    “Yes. Mrs. J., will you watch Spike tonight?” I may be getting a marriage proposal.
    The housekeeper’s face melted into a smile. “Of course I will! Come here, you precious angel! Your fur is almost all grown back, isn’t it? Oh, my beautiful princess, give us a kiss!”
    Honor floated up to her little suite. Since she was the only Holland kid left at home, she’d appropriated Faith’s old room last year and made it into a sitting