Building a Perfect Match

Building a Perfect Match
Arlene James

THE RIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB?In charge of a hotel renovation, Petra Chatam’s got everything under control—except Dale Bowen. The too-handsome contractor has his own ideas about the project. And they don’t match up with ambitious Petra’s, who hopes to become hotel manager.But the more time they spend together, the more Petra realizes they both agree on what really matters: love, faith and family. And they soon learn that building a future together is more work than building a hotel! It’ll take a little bit of patience—and a lot of help from three love-minded aunts. Chatam House: Where three matchmaking aunts bring faith and love to life.

The right man for the job?

In charge of a hotel renovation, Petra Chatam’s got everything under control—except Dale Bowen. The too-handsome contractor has his own ideas about the project. And they don’t match up with ambitious Petra’s, who hopes to become hotel manager. But the more time they spend together, the more Petra realizes they both agree on what really matters: love, faith and family. And they soon learn that building a future together is more work than building a hotel! It’ll take a little bit of patience—and a lot of help from three love-minded aunts.

“You!” they both said. “What are you doing here at Chatam House?”

Dale grinned. “I work here.”

At the same time, Petra said, “I live here. My aunts invited me to stay until the hotel is finished.”

“You’re a Chatam!” Dale declared.

“Petra Chatam,” she confirmed, comprehension dawning in her warm amber eyes.

“I should’ve known.” He reached out to tap the delicate cleft in her dainty chin, but at the last moment, stopped himself. “That and the eyes. Though, yours are darker, which is odd because your hair is so…” Beautiful, he thought.

“It’s good of you to inspect the job that your crew is doing on the new suite.”

“Uh, I am the crew,” he informed her.

She blinked at that, and he could almost see himself coming down in her estimation, from partner and project manager to lowly carpenter. Uncharacteristically, his temper spiked. He was proud of what he did.

But he didn’t kid himself that he lived on the same plain as Garth Anderton. Or the Chatams.

But he was shocked to find that it suddenly mattered....

ARLENE JAMES

says, “Camp meetings, mission work and church attendance permeate my Oklahoma childhood mem-ories. It was a golden time, which sustains me yet. However, only as a young widowed mother did I truly begin growing in my personal relationship with the Lord. Through adversity He has blessed me in countless ways, one of which is a second marriage so loving and romantic it still feels like courtship!”

After thirty-three years in Texas, Arlene James now resides in Bella Vista, Arkansas, with her beloved husband. Even after seventy-five novels, her need to write is greater than ever, a fact that frankly amazes her, as she’s been at it since the eighth grade. She loves to hear from readers, and can be reached via her website, www.arlenejames.com.

Building a Perfect Match

Arlene James

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

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and

let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

— Proverbs 31:30–31

Some daughters-in-law are sweet and thoughtful. Some are brilliant and talented. Some are beautiful and fun. Some are industrious and hardworking. Some are good wives, and some are good moms. Some are dedicated Christian women.

I hit the jackpot and got all of the above!

This one’s for you, Monica.

MomR

Contents

Chapter One (#u4a0a9823-8f86-5ab7-a63a-ce6c60195691)

Chapter Two (#u134e0a34-8852-5dd5-a7a6-800ddf1dbc18)

Chapter Three (#u582b100c-7c22-57a2-9dd5-35f73fc846a5)

Chapter Four (#u50869bc2-e95a-5284-a067-71e825993e98)

Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)

Dear Reader (#litres_trial_promo)

Questions for Discussion (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter One

“Well, sis,” Asher Chatam said, smiling across his desk at Petra, “you’re bringing the old Vail Hotel back to life. How does it feel?”