The Perfect Blend

The Perfect Blend

By

Donna Marie Rogers

The Perfect Blend, Welcome To Redemption, Book 3

Carrie Lowell swears off men for good after nearly losing her business in a bitter divorce settlement to her abusive ex-husband. She’s on the verge of filing bankruptcy when handsome librarian Matt Jacobs walks into her shop and offers sound—if unwanted—business advice. Sure, financially he’s a godsend, but emotionally he’s a threat to the barricade she’s built around her heart.

Heir to a vast fortune, Jacob Spalding flees L.A. for the tiny Midwest town of Redemption, Wisconsin to escape the scandalous nightmare his life has become. Now known as Matt Jacobs, he buys a little cottage and settles in to small town life. Soon, he finds himself infatuated with the owner of the coffee shop across the street. Too bad the infuriating woman is as contrary as she is beautiful.

Available at:
Amazon.com

Website & Blog:
Donna Marie Rogers

Dedication

Jamie, this one’s for you.

Chapter One

“You know, you could turn this place into a real success with just a few minor changes.”

Carrie Lowell shot a quick frown up from the espresso she was brewing. She did a double take when she realized the deep voice doling out business advice belonged to the hottie who worked across the street at the library. “Excuse me?”

“Add some books and magazines, expand the menu to include sandwiches and wraps, maybe stay open till five. The cheese factory lets out at three thirty so—”

“Uh, Matt, right?” At his nod, she said, “Look, don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re a librarian. If I needed advice on which new novel to check out, your word would be gold. Get my drift?” She handed her customer the cappuccino she’d just made. “Want it on your tab, Bill?”

“Yep. Thanks, Care.”

Once Bill left, Matt said, “See? How do you expect to keep this place afloat when you don’t even charge your customers for their orders?”

Carrie turned to face him, hands on hips. She couldn’t believe the freakin’ librarian was standing here giving her business advice. “Not that it’s any of your concern,
Matt
, but I’m doing just fine. Now go file books away or something and leave me be.” She made a shooing motion with her hands.

Matt crossed his arms across his chest and peered at her over his glasses. It struck her that she’d never thought a man could look sexy in glasses, but somehow Matt rocked his. Yeah, he was a hottie all right. Big whiskey-brown eyes, thick, dark blond hair with sun-kissed highlights. Tall, slim, but with broad shoulders and lean muscled arms. She’d bet he looked damn good in a pair of swim trunks—

“I’m not a child, Ms. Lowell, and since I happen to be your only paying customer, I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss me if I were you.”

“Which you’re not.” She crossed her own arms over her chest—which wasn’t quite as effective with her boobs in the way, making it look more like she was imitating
I Dream of Jeannie
. “Me, that is. So mind your own business.”

He smiled suddenly, displaying perfectly white straight teeth. “You’re like a five-year-old who doesn’t like to be told what to do.”

Well, la-di-freakin’-da
. “Why do you even care? My God, we barely know each other, and within the space of two minutes you’ve offered me unwanted business advice
and
insulted me. My closest friends wouldn’t dare speak to me the way you have.”

He cocked a brow. “Maybe that’s part of the problem. You need someone to give it to you straight.”

“Uh-huh. And you’re just the man for the job, right? Please.”

“Maybe I am.” He let out a sigh and swiped his fingers through his hair. “Look, even a blind man could see how poor your business has been the past few months—”

He plucked at his sky blue, short-sleeved, button collar shirt and frowned as he glanced around. “It’s warm in here. Don’t you have the air on?”

Carrie’s cheeks flamed. The air-conditioner had conked out over the weekend, and she couldn’t afford to replace it right now. Heck, she could barely afford to keep her doors open at this point. Maybe she needed to swallow her pride and take on a partner, like that new boyfriend of Tara’s suggested. The guy seemed certain that selling half of her shop would solve her problems. Well, except one—Carrie didn’t like to share. But an influx of cash was about the only thing that would save this place right now. And maybe someone with a little business sense.

“It broke down this morning,” she lied, too embarrassed to admit the truth. “I haven’t had a chance to have it serviced yet.”

“I could take a look at it, if you’d like.” He smiled, transforming his boyishly handsome face into one that made her pulse leap.

She wanted to kiss him. She hadn’t wanted to kiss a man in almost three years, and here she was, aching to pull him down and lay one on him. She cleared her throat, grabbed a washrag, and went to town on the counter. Had to keep those hands busy. “Thanks, but I’d rather leave it to the experts.” She chanced a peek up at him.

“
Fine
.” She met his gaze, not caring how childish she sounded.

He mumbled something that included the words “stubborn” and “idiot,” then strode out the door.

“Good riddance,” Carrie snapped as the bell tinkled in his wake. Good riddance? Sheesh, great comeback. She leaned against the counter and pouted, watching as he crossed the street and disappeared into the library. Well, he was right about one thing: she was as stubborn as a mule. And when it came to men, the word ‘idiot’ wasn’t far off either.

* * *

“I swear, the woman’s nuts,” Matt griped, glowering out the window. “And mean as a snake. You’d think she’d appreciate my input. Appreciate that I cared enough to walk into her shop and—”

“Tell her how to run her business?” Caleb Hunter set his books and library card on the counter. “Yeah, it’s amazing she didn’t melt at your feet.”

“You’re just sticking up for her ’cause she’s your girlfriend’s best friend.”

Caleb grinned. “There is that.”

Matt tore his gaze away from the infuriating woman—who was busy cleaning windows—to checkout Caleb’s books. A smile lifted his lips when he scanned in the first one. “For Emma?”

“No, I thought I’d read
Green Eggs and Ham
to Lauren tonight. Dr. Seuss is a surprising turn-on for her.”

Matt grinned. Lauren was an excellent cook, and if Caleb wasn’t careful, he’d have a Buddha belly in no time. “Hundred bucks says you’ll need a new wardrobe by Halloween.”

Caleb patted his stomach. “Nah, I just have to learn to pace myself. See you later, man.”

“Later.” A twinge of envy tightened Matt’s chest. He’d had so few home-cooked meals in his life; he couldn’t even imagine what it would feel like to have a woman cook a meal for him. In his world, you either dined out or ordered takeout. A visual of Carrie slaving over a hot stove made him snort out loud. Crazy woman would more likely serve him up as the main entrée. Trussed up in a pan with an apple in his mouth. He rolled his eyes. At least he wouldn’t have to think about her for the rest of the night.

He ended the call with a heavy heart. Guilt gnawed at him until he wanted to put his fist through the goddamn wall. If he’d just stayed and taken over the company reins so the old man could retire, his parents would be sipping piña coladas in the Caribbean right now. Instead, his father was lying in a hospital bed while his mother no doubt worried herself sick.

Thanks to their only son.

By the time four o’clock rolled around, Matt wasn’t much in the mood for socializing. Maybe he’d swing past Lauren’s to say hi before heading home. Then maybe he’d pack his bags and head to LA, see for himself that his father was all right. And, hell, maybe he’d stay. After today, he was fairly certain he didn’t have a future in Redemption anyway. The one woman who heated his blood could barely remember his name. Yep, he’d made some impression on Ms. Carrie Lowell, hadn’t he?

Matt pulled into Lauren’s driveway and killed the engine. He sat for a minute, hands clutching the steering wheel, as he debated whether or not to stay for supper. He was torn, especially if this turned out to be the last meal he shared with these two. In just a few short months, Caleb Hunter had become one of the best friends he’d ever had. And Lauren Frazier was a dream: sweet, generous, funny, a great mom. A real home and hearth type.

Thank God neither of them knew what a damn fraud he was.

“Hey, you daydreaming or what?” Caleb said as he smacked the hood and scared the hell out of him. “Come on, I got an ice-cold Bud waiting for you.”

Matt shook his head as he climbed out of the old Jeep Wrangler he’d purchased on his first day in town. The cheapest vehicle he’d ever owned, and by far his favorite. “Sounds good.” Couldn’t hurt to stay for a beer, he supposed.

He followed Caleb inside and froze when an all-too-familiar voice reached his ears. Sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee was none other than Miss Stubborn, laughing with Lauren, her head tipped back, looking more beautiful than usual, if that were possible. A ridiculous surge of jealousy seized him by the throat. How come the ornery woman never cracked a smile when he was around?

Carrie looked up and caught sight of him, her smile fading. She shot Caleb a look, then Lauren, who in turn sent Matt a sheepish grin.

A setup? A blind date? He almost laughed, but caught himself. A grin tugged at his lips. The woman looked ready to blow.

“Please tell me he’s not the”—Carrie made air quotes—“great guy you’ve been raving about.”

Caleb grabbed a beer from the fridge and handed it to Matt as Carrie glared daggers at her friend. Lauren cleared her throat and looked to Caleb, who shrugged. “We just thought...you know, that you’d hit it off. And we’d planned this before...” Lauren glanced over at Matt.

He took a fortifying sip of his beer and supplied, “Before I opened my big mouth and became her least favorite person in Redemption?”

Carrie scowled at him. “Don’t talk about me like I’m not here. And you did more than open your mouth, you pompous ass.”

Infuriating woman. Matt took a step forward. “I offered you sound business advice. But, hey, you want to lose your shop? End up in bankruptcy court? Be my guest.”

“It’s summer!”

“O-kay.” Caleb moved to Lauren’s side. “Time to calm down. Matt, why don’t you have a seat. Carrie, please,” Caleb added when she started to rise. “Lauren spent a lot of time and effort making this meal. The least you two can do is sit and eat it.”

“You’re right,” Matt said, embarrassed by his childish behavior. He shot Carrie a look. The woman brought out the worst in him like no one ever had. “Lauren, dinner smells incredible, thank you.”