Make Me a Match (The Soul Mate Tree Book 5) Read online

  Table of Contents

  MAKE ME A MATCH

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  MAKE ME A MATCH

  The Soul Mate Tree

  MACKENZIE LUCAS

  SOUL MATE PUBLISHING

  New York

  MAKE ME A MATCH

  Copyright©2017

  MACKENZIE LUCAS

  Cover Design by Wren Taylor

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, business establishments, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

  The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials.

  Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

  Published in the United States of America by

  Soul Mate Publishing

  P.O. Box 24

  Macedon, New York, 14502

  ISBN: 978-1-68291-363-5

  www.SoulMatePublishing.com

  The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

  To those lovers who bring us alive

  and help us realize love does exist a second time.

  THE LEGEND OF THE SOUL MATE TREE

  I am old, I am ancient,

  my purpose is clear

  To give those who are needy

  a treasure so dear.

  They who come to my roots,

  touch my bark, stroke my leaves

  Find the soul of their lives

  if they but believe.

  When I call and you listen,

  your prize will be great

  If your heart remains open

  and you don’t hesitate.

  Do you yearn? Be you lonely?

  Is your time yet at hand?

  Reach for me and I’ll give to you.

  I’m yours to command.

  For your trust, for your faith,

  keep my secrets untold

  And I’ll gift you forever,

  to have and to hold.

  Chapter 1

  Disastrous Meetings

  Mark Cage knew what he wanted. Or who.

  Her.

  Waiting in the lobby at Essence Spa & Resort, the pretty strawberry blonde sat with one leg crossed over the other, back straight, hands clasped around her knee. Sun streamed in the skylight, perfectly illuminating her in a shaft of golden sun.

  A butterfly fluttered around her left shoulder. And he was sure he could hear some kind of ethereal Disney princess music playing in the background. Odd, if there hadn’t been a full indoor butterfly garden planted at the heart of the spa and quiet music piped in. But Mark had come to expect just about anything on his distribution runs here at Essence.

  The owner, Haven St. James, spared no expense to go the extra mile and provide a full luxury experience for her clients at the exclusive resort in St. Augustine.

  “How’s it going, big guy?” Sally Johnson, co-owner of Essence, punched him playfully in the arm. “Daydreaming?”

  Still spellbound by the sweetness of the woman sitting near the butterfly garden, Mark found his gaze drawn back to the serene view. He waved at the dolly filled with cases of bottled Mystic Brew. “Ah . . . Mmmm. Delivery.”

  “Caveman much?” She snickered at him.

  Mark turned his attention on the petite brunette, who bore a striking resemblance to a darker version of Marilyn Monroe. “What?”

  Sally glanced between him and the woman he’d been intent on a few seconds before. “She’s not right for you.”

  Mark scowled. “How would you know?”

  Shoulders back, stretching to her full five-foot-nothing height, she poked him in the chest. “Mark Cage, I’ve known you since you were five years old. We were in detention together in the fifth grade every other day because Mrs. Smith didn’t like either of us. I attended your wedding. I was at the birth of your daughter. I stood beside you when you buried your wife. If anyone knows you, it’s me. That woman is not right for you.”

  He hung his head. She was right. If anyone knew him, it was Sally. But, damn. This time she was wrong. She had to be wrong. He leveled a stare at her. “I think she’s perfect for me.”

  “You’d be wrong.” Her mouth pulled in a firm, straight line.

  “Can’t I be happy?”

  “Dammit, Mark. It’s not that. You, of anyone I know, deserve to find happiness. Raising a teenage daughter on your own has not been easy. I know you’re lonely. But Daphne isn’t for you. Jamie needs a good role model for relationships—she needs to see her dad dating, normally.”

  He ignored the dating normal comment and latched on to the woman’s name. “Daphne?” The beautiful name suited the woman sitting in the butterfly garden. “Introduce me.”

  “No.”

  “Come on, Sally, why not? How can I date her if you won’t introduce me?”

  “Because she’s too nice for you.”

  “What?” He cocked his head, confused. “You make me sound like an ogre.”

  “Duh.” She stared him down, hands on her hips. “You are an ogre, Mark. Ever since Sarah died, you’ve been closed off. Harsh. Short with people. You’re not easy to be around. Jamie was in yesterday asking for my help with you.”

  She shook her head and stared off into the distance, then took a deep breath before she spoke. “Look, Mark, you need someone as strong as you. Someone who can stand up to you. Who won’t cower when you bluster. You’d eat nice for breakfast. Have it running for cover in no time. You’d scare poor, wee Daphne to death.”

  “Bullshit.” He gripped the handle of the dolly. “What did Jamie want help with?”

  “Your daughter wants you to be happy. Before she leaves for college in a few months.”

  “What does she expect you to do, Sal? Give me a lobotomy? Make me forget that the love of my life died?”

  “You did not die with her, Mark.” Now she sounded mad.

  “I know. And that’s why I need to meet her.” He jerked his head toward Daphne. He pushed up his sleeves and blew out air. “I’d like to ask her out.”

  “Wow. Since when?”

  “Since right now. She’s the woman I want.”

  “You’re wrong. You think she’s the woman you want.” Sally rubbed her forehead. “When’s the last time you were on a real date? Not a wham-bam one-night stand, but the last time you truly asked a woman out?”

  Mark thought about the question a moment.
“Mmmm. Been a while. Think Sarah was the last woman I asked out.”

  “Your wife? Who has been dead ten years now?”

  “Dammit, Sally, are you going to help me or not?”

  She narrowed her eyes. “Against my better judgment, I’ll help you. But don’t blame me if this doesn’t end well.”

  He ignored her negativity. What could possibly go wrong?

  “Now that’s what I’m talking about.” A grin kicked the corner of his mouth into action, and a totally unfamiliar lightness filled his chest. He might actually have a second chance at love.

  “You know you’re my best friend and I adore you, right? This is so wrong.” Sally sucked in a deep breath and blew it out. “First things first, she’s seriously sweet. And kind. She’s a kindergarten teacher.”

  He fell in love with Daphne a little more in that moment. She loved kids. Meant she was nurturing. She fit him better and better.

  Mark gave Sally his most charming smile. The same one that used to get him out of trouble in high school, and had been in constant use until he met Sarah in college. Then, he’d only used it on her. To win her. To woo her. And to keep her happy. Yessiree.

  “Come with me, I’ll introduce you. Then, you’re on your own, buddy.”

  “Give me a minute to drop these brewskies at The Fountain first. Then I’ll be ready.”

  “I’m not sure she’ll be ready, though.” Sally covered her eyes.

  “Oh, ye of little faith.”

  She peeked at him and dropped her hand to her side. “I’ve got plenty of faith. I just know people. And she is wrong for you. But you won’t take my word for it, so let’s get this done and over with.”

  “Back in five.”

  “All right, Mr. Stubborn, meet you back here in five. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  “Deal.” He winked at Sally. “Be back in a jiffy.”

  ~ ~ ~

  After pushing the dolly of Mystic Brews beer around the corner to The Fountain, the restaurant inside Essence, Mark leaned against the bar to wait while Julio scanned the cases into inventory.

  Mystic Brews was his latest popular microbrew. When Sarah died, he’d lost himself in getting his microbrewery up and running. Well, that, and raising his daughter, who was now a senior in high school. Seventeen going on twenty-five, Jamie didn’t think she was doing her job unless she was giving him gray hair.

  It was mid-afternoon, too early for the drinking crowd, but a few people sat at the bar having lunch or enjoying a glass of wine. Essence was an interesting establishment. Part spa, part luxury resort. Fully upscale. Mark had fallen into a sweet deal when he’d become friends with Pace Daniels, the spa owner’s fiancé. Once Pace found out about Ancient City Brewery, Mark’s microbrewery, he’d taken an avid interest in distributing Mark’s beer here at Essence. That’d been over six months ago. Mark had been getting good exposure ever since. While distribution was still local, he had hopes of securing a nationwide deal in the next few months.

  He’d come a long way from the RV park he and Sally had grown up in. He’d pretty much raised himself, which was why it was important for him to do right by Jamie. His parents hadn’t been around. Jamie’s mom might have died, but he planned to be front and center for her as much as he could for as long as possible.

  “Come on, Jase. Give a girl a chance.”

  Mark watched the blonde at the end of the bar lean into Jason Daniels. Her manner easy, she draped her arm around his shoulders, her full breasts pressed against him. She wore a sleeveless top, a tight, short skirt, and the most ridiculous high heels Mark had ever seen. A long silver chain dangled, drawing the eye down to her enticing cleavage. Golden hair hung down her back. She was a looker. And expensive as all get out.

  Mark didn’t like what he saw one bit.

  Not the woman. Not her intent.

  Jason Daniels, now engaged to Mark’s best friend Sally, lowered his head, his shoulder-length hair falling forward to shield his expression. He loosely held his tumbler in both hands in front of him, resting the bottom of the glass on the bar. “Let me think about it, Athena.”

  Hell, no. Jason Daniels wouldn’t two-time Mark’s best friend.

  “How’s it going, Jason?” Mark lifted his chin and raised his fingers.

  “Good. Can’t complain.” The jerk smiled easily. Not a trace of guilt on his face.

  “How’s Sally today? You two set your wedding date?”

  Mark waited for the bombshell next to Jason to pull back, act surprised, crestfallen.

  Only she didn’t.

  Instead, she turned her full-watt smile on him. Her green-blue eyes were a startling color and seemed filled with light and laughter. “Hello, there.” She waggled her fingers. “I’m Athena.”

  Mark hated her immediately. Everything she stood for. Everything she was in that moment. A flirty, sexy woman who targeted men only to put another notch in her lipstick case. Luring them away from committed relationships to seduce them, and then easily discarding them when she changed her allegiance because a new man entered her sights.

  A new one always would. She, no doubt, racked up numbers. Watched them fall. One by one.

  Oh, hells no.

  Jason cleared his throat. “Don’t worry about him. His manners improve over time. Athena, meet Mark Cage, our resident microbrewer and self-proclaimed saint.”

  Athena studied him. “Self-proclaimed saint? Huh. How does that work?”

  Jason snorted. “You remain celibate for ten years and sit in judgment of anyone else who’s getting laid.”

  The woman’s mouth rounded in a pretty O.

  “Not true.” Mark stared through her a moment, then turned his attention back to Jason. He knew a pissed-off attitude radiated from him. He didn’t care. “Sally?”

  Jason took a sip of his drink. “She’s good. I imagine you figured out the answer to your question a few minutes ago, when you were talking to her in the lobby.”

  Busted. What the hell? Didn’t matter. Dropping her name did its job. The woman had backed off, if only subtly. She still sat way too close to Jason for Mark’s comfort. “Set your wedding date yet? Let her make an honest man of you?”

  Again, Jason chuckled. “Man, you are a piece of work. Good thing Sal loves you so much, Saint Mark. Yeah. We’ve set the date. Since you’re the man of honor or the bridesman, you know exactly when and where we’ll be tying the knot.” He sipped his drink. “And so does Athena, she’s my best man.”

  Another hell, no. Mark glowered at her.

  She gave him a bright smile. “Appears we’ll be paired up at the wedding. First dance and all such nonsense at the happy occasion.”

  “I don’t dance with women like you.”

  “Ouch.” She took a sip of her wine. “And what would women like me entail exactly?” The blonde pulled back to share a moment of silent communication with Jason before turning back to Mark. The gleam in her eyes seemed just a little dimmer, if Mark did say so himself. Good.

  “Fast women. Someone who would take another woman’s man.”

  “Huh, interesting.” Her eyebrows disappeared into her bangs. She held Jason’s gaze, but didn’t respond to Mark’s comment further.

  He couldn’t help the satisfied smirk that spread across his face. Well, at least Aphrodite got the hint. She knew exactly how little he thought of her.

  She glanced between Jason and Mark with interest, anger and amusement both evident on her pretty face. Despite his immediate dislike, Mark couldn’t help the pull of attraction he felt low in his gut. He was, after all, a man.

  With long legs and the body of a goddess, she was any man’s wet dream. Not Mark’s, though. He could ignore animal magnetism. Had done it for years since Sarah had gone.

  He’d become a master at ignori
ng his own biologic needs. He had no interest in women like this one. Now, give him sweet, modest Daphne any day. Yep, definitely the kind of woman he needed in his life.

  Which reminded him. He needed to go. “About finished, Julio? I gotta see a woman about a date.”

  “Yep, good to go, boss.” Julio handed him a receipt for the beer.

  Mark turned back toward Jason and Athena. Both stared at him with incredulous expressions. “What?”

  Jason spoke up. “You? A date? The Saint? Saints don’t date.”

  “Why not?” The question came out more a growl than anything else. He knew he sounded surly. But he didn’t care. Well, not really. “And I didn’t pick the name. I’ve never claimed to be a saint.”

  “Could’ve fooled me. You’re sitting in judgment now. Acting all high and mighty, and yet you don’t even know Athena.”

  “I know enough.” He narrowed his eyes. “And I know her type.”

  Jason smirked. “See, there you go again. All judge-y. You’re right, though, saints don’t have the attitude of a bear.”

  Athena watched Mark quietly, chin tilted, her expression neutral, like she was assessing his technique or something. Fuck her. What did she know?

  “Bite me, Daniels.” Mark lifted his hand, then cocked an imaginary gun and pointed it at him like a trigger. “Fair warning, buddy, remember you’ve got a fiancé. Or you won’t like the way I help you remember.” He eyed the blonde pointedly, then turned to go claim the kind, uncomplicated woman sitting in the garden. Daphne.

  ~ ~ ~

  Back in the lobby, Sally milled with the others chatting with Daphne.

  Sally waved when she saw him. “Mark, I want you to meet someone.”

  He walked over, hands shoved in his jeans pockets. “Hey, there.”