The Random Acts of Cupid (Christian Romance) (7 page)

Elise sighed. “You’re right. You just so aggravate me!”

“I’m sure I’ll have plenty of time tomorrow to aggravate you further. How about we meet around 1:00 at Kerry Park? I live right across the street from there, and I should be done with my meeting by then.”

“That will work. Thanks for the escort tonight.”

“You’re welcome. Good night, Elise.”

As Ryan walked away, Elise slid into her car, a soft smile on her lips. She may not have fully convinced Ryan yet, but she had definitely made progress. After all, earlier tonight, she’d been ‘not unattractive.’ But just now, she’d been ‘beautiful.’

Elise watched as Ryan jogged through the rain to her car. Opening the passenger side door of her Honda Civic, he slid into the seat bringing with him the smell of Seattle dampness mixed with his own masculine scent.

“So what do you have planned for us today, Cupid?” he asked, flashing her a grin as he buckled his seat belt.

“Lots of big plans,” Elise replied noncommittally. “It’s Valentine’s Day, which is typically one of my busiest days for matchmaking. That’s why I always take it off work.”

“I guess I never really stopped to think that some days might be better than others where matchmaking is concerned.”

“People tend to feel their loneliness most around the holidays and Valentine’s Day. I typically try to put in a little extra effort so at least a few people aren’t alone. Besides, the holidays are usually viewed as very romantic, which doesn’t hurt at all.”

“So who’s your first victim?”

“Victim? I help people. I don’t victimize them. Why are you so against the idea of matchmaking? Are you generally opposed to people falling in love? Do you hate the Easter Bunny too?” Elise said, deliberately trying to detour the subject. She wasn’t ready for Ryan to know her full plan yet. After all, she knew it sounded really bad, and he would surely object on the basis of the big picture without taking the time to learn the details.

“No, I’m not opposed to love or the Easter Bunny. I only have a problem with your deceptive methods. Maybe it’s a side effect of my job. Because I have to deal with lying and deception at its worst, I don’t have tolerance for it in any form.”

“You’re a lawyer, right? Elise asked. “But you’re also in school? What is it that has caused you to become so cynical?

“I don’t think I’m cynical as much as realistic. I’ve seen humanity at its worst, and I guess it’s hard to recover from that.”

“You must be in criminal law.”

“I did a stint as a prosecuting attorney,” Ryan admitted. “But most of my success has come with international law. Some of the worst examples haven’t come from felons but from wealthy, powerful people who seem to have little care for anyone other than themselves.”

“Why are you still a lawyer if you hate it so much?”

Ryan looked surprised. “I don’t hate it at all. I love it. I’m working on my doctorate right now. I also am an adjunct professor at the University. Because of my success, I’m frequently called upon as a consultant in international cases. That’s what my conference call this morning was about. You’re right in that I dislike seeing the worst of human behavior, but I love being the one to help defend and bring justice to those who would otherwise not have any.”

 Ryan sounded so honorable. With his experience, it was no wonder that he viewed her pitiful attempt to ‘help’ in such a bad light. Once again, Elise felt the hopelessness of trying to convince him of her motives.

“Um . . . Elise, where exactly are we going?”

Elise recognized the slight thread of suspicion in his voice as he obviously seemed to notice where their direction was taking them. She couldn’t put it off any longer.

“We’re going to the prison.”

“The prison!” Ryan exploded. “You’re making a match at the prison? Are you crazy?”

“No, I am not crazy! I’m not making a match at the prison. We’re just going to talk to one of the inmates.”

“Why? You said you were matchmaking. Are you setting a match up for after an inmate is released?”

“No.” Elise tried to remain calm. There was no way she could give a good explanation for this one. Ryan was just going to have to see it. “We’re just talking to an inmate about her daughter. It won’t take very long. The daughter is the one I’m helping.”

“How do you even find these people? The headlines of the newspaper? America’s Most Wanted?”

Elise sighed. Ryan wasn’t going to make this easy in any way. “Our church has a prison ministry. I’m sure you’ve heard it mentioned. I met this woman while volunteering for that ministry.  And, for your information, I don’t use the headlines to pick my ‘victims.’ I just observe people at church, at the library, wherever. And then, if I’m thinking about helping a couple with a match, I pray about it. I try to make sure it’s something God would want me to do.”

“Just like you prayed for Britney and me?”

“I did pray about you and Britney!” Elise muttered.

“So who was wrong on that one, you or God?”

Elise was quiet, not even wanting to respond. She pulled into the prison parking lot, found a space, and parked the car. Finally, she spoke quietly. “I pray about every match I even think about making. There have been many times that I haven’t gone ahead simply because I didn’t have a peace about it. Britney is a very nice person. And she likes you very much. If I make a match in error, it’s my mistake. Not God’s. I try to take every precaution, but I’m not perfect. I believe I already apologized for that misunderstanding, but if not, I’ll do it again. I’m sorry.”

Ryan sighed heavily. “I don’t know why you seem to bring out the worst in me. I’m really not normally so . . .”

“Irascible . . . judgmental . . . unforgiving . . . “

Ryan’s eyes shot to hers, words of defense on his lips, but seeing the teasing light in her eyes, his eyebrow quirked up and his expressions softened.

“Guess I deserve that.”

Elise unbuckled her seatbelt, got out of the car, and opened the door to the backseat so she could pull out a garment bag. Wanting to have her umbrella up first, she tried to open it, but the old, cheaply-made contraption was jammed and wouldn’t fully extend. As she struggled, Ryan came up beside her and extended his own classy black umbrella over her as well.

Elise tossed her under-achieving umbrella back into the car, grabbed the garment bag, and began walking to the front entrance with Ryan and his umbrella remaining in close attendance beside her.

“What’s this lady in for?” Ryan asked

“I don’t know. I didn’t even ask,” Elise replied. “It’s not important. She mentioned that she’d made some mistakes. But now she’s anxious to finish her sentence so she can get back to her family and turn her life around. I think the church’s ministry has really helped her, and she’s committed her life to Christ. She’s very nice. You would never think her a criminal.”

“Everyone is capable of being a criminal. I haven’t even decided on your guilt or innocence yet.”

As if she needed a reminder.

“So tell me what we’re doing here,” Ryan urged once again, ignoring her silence. “How are you helping this inmate and her daughter?”

Elise could tell that Ryan was the type who liked to know the plan. It probably gave him a sense of control over the situation. It was very likely driving him crazy not to know every single last detail. And Elise kind of liked the thought of throwing this self-assured man even a little off-balance.

Right before the entrance, Elise stopped and turned to face Ryan squarely.

“I think I’ve really told you all you need to know right now. Like I said, I don’t know much about Tricia other than she’s a woman who needs a little help with her daughter. I have a plan to help her, so beyond that, I guess you’re just going to have to trust me.”

From the tension emanating from Ryan, Elise knew he wasn’t happy about the situation, but he kept his moody silence the entire time as they went through security and were led to a windowless room to wait for Tricia. He remained quiet even then, though after about thirty seconds of waiting, he popped out of his chair and began pacing the room. Elise ignored him and pretended to inspect her nails until finally, the door opened and a security guard led a woman dressed in the standard prison-issue jumpsuit inside.

Tricia’s eyes jumped from Elise to Ryan, and she stopped dead in her tracks.

“I didn’t ask for a lawyer,” she said in confusion. “Elise, I already told you I was guilty.”

“No, Tricia,” Elise hurried to explain. “He’s not here for—”

“How did she know I was a lawyer?” Ryan interrupted in confusion.

“Isn’t it obvious?” Elise said, pointedly looking at Ryan from head to toe. “Wipkipedia probably uses your picture to help define the term ‘lawyer’”

In Ryan’s defense, Elise had to admit he wasn’t dressed as a typical lawyer, at least not today. This was the first time Elise had seen him in anything other than a suit. But even with his khaki pants and forest green pullover, Ryan still had the unmistakable presence of a successful attorney.

“He is a lawyer, Tricia, but he’s not here on official business. Ryan is my . . .” How exactly was she supposed to explain Ryan’s presence? “friend,” she finally finished. “He’s just tagging along on my errands today.”

Thankfully, Tricia seemed to accept this explanation and sat down at the table.

Elise stood and opened the garment bag. “Tell me what you think of this, Tricia. Do you think Macy will like it?” Elise pulled out a beautiful turquois blue gown. It had little cap sleeves and delicate sparkly detailing along the bodice. The classic empire waist extended in a long skirt made from soft flowing material.

Tears filled Tricia’s eyes, and she suddenly couldn’t speak around the emotion clogging her throat. Elise reached over and gently held the other woman’s hand in quiet comfort.

“It’s beautiful.” Tricia finally managed. “It’s perfect. Exactly what I imagined.” Taking a few more cleansing breaths, she nodded more confidently. “She’ll love it. But I’m sure you spent way too much money.”

“Don’t worry about that,” Elise said firmly. “It was my pleasure.”

Tricia got a little choked up. “I don’t know how to thank you,” she whispered brokenly.

“You don’t have to.” Elise replied. “I enjoyed doing it.”

Worry suddenly creased Tricia’s brow. “I know she’ll love it, but I’m still worried that she’ll refuse to go without a date. I know how much she wants to, but I also know my daughter can be extremely stubborn at times. She might find it too embarrassing to go to the dance alone.”

“Don’t worry,” Elise assured. “I already have that covered. I’ve arranged for my cousin to escort her. They go to the same high school, so it will work out well. I helped him get a good grade in Trigonometry, so he owes me a favor.”

“But is he a nice boy? Will she even like him? Macy is shy, and I hate to think of her feeling pressured to go out with a boy she doesn’t like; or worse, one who doesn’t behave well.”

“He is very nice. He’s a Christian and goes to the same church I do. I think they will like each other a lot. I wouldn’t have asked him to go with her if I didn’t think it would be good for both of them.”

Tricia nodded. “Okay. Thank you, Elise. I will find a way to pay you back someday.”

“The only payment I’ll accept is you finishing your time here, getting back to your family, and living your life for God.”

Tricia looked Elise in the eye. “With God’s help, that’s exactly what I intend to do.”

Tricia walked back to the guard to be escorted back to her cell.