The Perfect Christmas - Debbie Macomber [47]
“Yes.” He sounded bored. “You know very well I did.”
“For an excellent reason,” she said, “as you and I are both aware.”
He checked his watch again, as if to point out that the minutes were ticking away.
“Even though you rejected her, Angie thought highly enough of your skills as a matchmaker to recommend you to me.”
“I know my business, Cassie.”
“You won’t get any argument from me.” She grinned and looked down at her hands, surprised by how calm and controlled she sounded. While her heart continued to beat at an accelerated rate, she remained outwardly collected. “At first I thought the idea of those three tasks was ridiculous, but I complied. In fact, I was willing to do just about anything to prove my value as a wife.”
Once more he glanced at his watch.
“I understand now why you chose the tasks you did. Each one served a specific purpose. You knew all the facts I could list on a sheet of paper, and as a psychologist you could discern a great deal from that, but you didn’t know the real me.” She’d given much thought to his motives. “You didn’t know my heart.”
“Yes, well…”
“You wanted to find out how I interact with strangers as a volunteer. You wanted to see how well I deal with children and then you were interested in my homemaking skills.”
“Practical aspects of any good marriage. But these tasks also told me that you have compassion and flexibility and a sense of humor.”
She bowed her head to hide her pleasure at his words.
“John is looking for a woman who’s willing to have children with him. A woman who enjoys socializing and wants to be part of a community. You are all those things.”
He’d introduced the subject of John, so she’d better get that out of the way right now. “Oh, yes. John, the match you chose on my behalf. I do hope you cancelled the appointment.”
“Per your request I did. However, I feel you should know John was extremely disappointed, as I expected he would be.”
“I would’ve been, too, if I’d been waiting to meet my perfect match. Or as you’d probably say, my most suitable match,” she said with a grin.
“And you aren’t?” Simon challenged.
“No, unfortunately I’ve already made his acquaintance.”
Simon’s eyes narrowed. “Before you say anything else, I want you to think this through very carefully.”
“I have,” she said.
“I beg to differ.” Simon spoke in the same unfriendly tones she’d heard at the beginning of their relationship.
“I brought up Angie’s name for a specific reason. You knew after reading her answers to your questionnaire, and during your initial meeting, that she was in love with someone else.” She paused. “As I told you on Saturday, that someone happens to be my brother. As I also told you, I was impressed by your insight in recognizing her feelings for Shawn so easily.”
“As I’ve repeatedly said, I’m good at my job.”
“You knew it would be wrong to introduce her to another man when she loved my brother.”
“Yes.”
“It would be just as wrong to introduce me to John when I’m in love with…you.”
Simon briefly closed his eyes, then stood. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Don’t do this, Cassie. I’m off-limits.”
“I can’t keep still. I wish I could, but I can’t.”
He reclaimed his seat. Looking exasperated, he informed her, “This happens far more often than you realize. I’ve lost count of the number of women who believe they’ve fallen in love with me.”
“I’m sure that’s true.” Simon was an attractive man. He had a strong sensual appeal and would turn heads wherever he went. She didn’t assume for an instant that she was the only woman ever to fall for him.
“The thing you seem to forget is that you’ve paid thirty thousand dollars to meet the man I’ve chosen as your match.”
Cassie hadn’t forgotten.
“I held up my part of the bargain,” he said.
“Yes, you did.”
“I’ve deposited the check and it’s cleared your bank.”
She nodded.
“If you voluntarily decide not to meet your match, you should know there’ll be no refund.”
“I didn’t think there would be.”
“If you walk away now, without meeting John, you’ll forfeit your money.” He said it again, as if he felt it