A Perfect Match

A Perfect Match
Deb Kastner

SHE WAS GOIN' TO THE CHAPEL….…and she was going to get married–to the dashing new minister. At least, that was Julia Evans's plan. Convinced holy matrimony should be based on more than romance, Julia was caught off guard when old-fashioned fireworks erupted where she least expected them– and ignited a spark she couldn't seem to ignore….Carpenter Zeke Taylor knew Julia fully intended to become the pastor's wife. But the more time he spent with the angelic blue-eyed blonde, the more Zeke suspected the Lord had other plans for her–for both of them. If only Julia would listen to what her heart–and God–were trying to tell her….

Zeke’s angel didn’t believe in love? What kind of nonsense was this?

He whirled to Julia. Her golden hair swirled about her like a halo, and his breath caught before he could speak. He forced words through his tight throat. “You’re wrong.”

“Am I?” she asked, sounding genuinely surprised. Or confused.

He wanted to take her into his arms and prove it, but he could hardly act on those feelings. Nor could he leave it quite alone.

He reached out and gently swiped a thumb down her cheek. “You are wrong about love. And if it takes me forever, I’m going to prove it to you.”

DEB KASTNER

is the wife of a Reformed Episcopal minister, so it was natural for her to find her niche in the Christian/Inspirational romance market. She enjoys tackling the issues of faith and trust within the context of a romance. Her characters range from upbeat and humorous to (her favorite) dark and brooding heroes. Her plots fall anywhere between, from a playful romp to the deeply emotional.

When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three girls and, whenever she can manage, attending regional dinner theater and touring Broadway musicals.

A Perfect Match

Deb Kastner

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

—Ephesians 2:8-9

A big thank-you to Pam Hopkins for all she’s done for my career. You’re my own “perfect match” for a literary agent. What can I say? You’re the best!

To Melissa, editor extraordinaire.

Thanks for all your hard work and enthusiasm. You encourage me with your kindness.

To the Love Inspired Ladies.

Your love, integrity and work ethic inspire me to new heights.

Love always and forever to Joe, Annie, Kimmie and Katie.

Contents

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

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Epilogue

Letter to Reader

Chapter One

“You marry a man, not an occupation.” Lakeisha Wilson made her point, loud and clear.

But it wasn’t as if Julia Evans hadn’t already considered every angle of her Great Scheme. It was simply a matter of helping her dear friend grasp the concept.

“He is a man,” Julia reasoned aloud, though softly. She didn’t want Thomas and Evy Martin, sitting across the round table from them, to overhear the private conversation. Goodness knows she didn’t want her exceptional ideas exposed to the eyes of the whole waiting world.

It was enough that Lakeisha was going to give her a hard time about it. And if her dear friend of twenty-four years didn’t understand, no one would. It was a wretched way to begin.

Smothering a half smile, she coolly shifted her gaze to the subject in question—the Object of her Affection.

Well, not affection, precisely, but be that as it may…