Matched in Minnesota (At the Altar Book 22) Read online

  “Roses are perfect. I don’t know that I have a favorite flower. I’ve never really thought about it.” She knew most women had a favorite, but any flowers made her happy.

  “Well, when you decide what your favorite is, would you let me know? I need to be able to get you your favorite flower and not just any flower.”

  “That’s a good point.” She rushed at him and wrapped her arms around him. “Thank you so much!”

  “You’re welcome.” He buried his face in her hair. “We don’t have to eat dinner right away, you know…”

  “Yes, we do! I’m not letting my supper go bad.”

  “What is it? It smells good, but I don’t recognize the smell.”

  She smiled. “Good. I wanted to surprise you. I made fettucine with a homemade chicken alfredo sauce. It’s one of my favorite meals.”

  “I love fettucine alfredo! You didn’t think to make garlic bread to go with it, did you?”

  “I sure did. And I made a zuppa Toscana as well. So yummy!” Marissa was pleased he seemed happy with the meal she’d made. It was more work than she usually put into supper, but it felt like a celebration.

  “Sounds delicious.” Aaron caught her by the hips and pulled her to him, kissing her. “You’re going to have to work hard to keep me happy if you keep spoiling me like this.”

  “I think I like you spoiled.” She remembered thinking her mother had gone overboard doing little things for her father, but she understood now. It felt good to pamper her husband.

  As they ate, she constantly felt his eyes on her, and she finally shook her head. “We’re never going to finish our meal at this rate. Pay attention to your food, Professor.”

  He looked down at the plate of delicious food in front of him, and though his mind wasn’t on food, he took a big bite. “I hope it reheats well.”

  “Why do you say that?” she asked.

  “Because there’s no way we’re going to finish all this. You must have thought you were cooking for a family of four.”

  Marissa smiled. “I do tend to make too much. We’ll have it for lunch Sunday.”

  “Sounds good to me.” He wiped his face with a napkin. “By the way, Bob invited us to his house for a small dinner party next Friday night. Do you mind if we go? He only ever invites the married couples, and I’m finally married.”

  “Sounds good to me. Should I take something?”

  “I have no idea. I’ll ask on Monday. His wife may want a hand cooking.”

  As soon as they were finished eating, he got to his feet and took her hand. “Dishes can wait. Your husband can’t.”

  She laughed. “I want the dishes done. I know you’re in a hurry, but I hate leaving dishes in the sink.” Her mother had ingrained in her from a very young age that if you left dishes in the sink, you got bugs. She didn’t want bugs, so she would do the dishes.

  He groaned. “You’re really going to make me wait?”

  “You liked supper…don’t you want me to put up the food so we can eat it again?”

  “I guess.” Aaron couldn’t believe how impatient he was feeling. It was a new feeling for him. “I’m going to go into the study and read. Would you please hurry?”

  She laughed. “You’re a mess, Aaron Christiansen. Yes, I’ll hurry.”

  “Good. I will try to read, but I might be pacing impatiently.”

  “Either way, I’m doing the dishes.” Marissa rinsed off their plates and put them into the dishwasher, putting the fettucine and sauce into a bowl.

  After she was finished, she approached the study and sat down in her chair. “Dishes are done. We’ll feast on leftovers for lunch tomorrow.” She usually took him leftovers to work for lunch as well. She really enjoyed the little ritual of taking him lunch and the two of them eating it at his desk together.

  “Sounds good to me.” Aaron stood and took her hand, pulling her to her feet. “I believe you said you were ready to make love, and I’m not going to wait another minute.” He tugged on her hand and led her into his bedroom, stopping at the foot of the bed to kiss her passionately.

  They’d kissed enough in the time they’d been together that neither of them thought about it as they tilted their heads and kissed. His hands roamed frantically over her body, and she had a feeling he wasn’t going to be able to go slowly. That was all right though, because next time they would. She was sure they’d be making love more than once that weekend.

  It didn’t take long for him to strip them both and push her down onto his bed. “This is where I should have had you sleep that very first night. I don’t know what was wrong with me to think I didn’t want this part of marriage with you.”

  “I don’t either, but I’m glad we took the time to get to know one another. Now we’re truly making love and not just having wild passionate monkey sex.”

  He let out a bark of laughter. “I think I’m keeping you. Any woman who can make a man laugh while he’s making love to her has got to be someone worth having.”

  “I sure hope so. I don’t have any more silliness up my sleeve, so it’s probably time to get serious about this thing!”

  “Probably.” He kissed her again, his hands stroking her bare skin. When he took her nipple between his lips, she let out a low moan, and he grinned. “I’ve discovered all of your secrets now. I know what you like!”

  She ran her fingers through his hair. “I guess you do know what I like. But I know what you like too.”

  He lifted his head for a moment. “Oh yeah? What do I like?”

  “The Oregon Trail and me…in that order.”

  “I’m not so sure about the order anymore. I’ve been more interested in spending time with you than I have in studying. I’m not sure I can continue this way.”

  She ran one foot from his knee to his ankle. “Now can you continue?”

  His lips were an inch from hers as he said, “Oh, yeah,” and kissed her to within an inch of her life.

  Every touch made her body scream with need. Every kiss made her want to become one with him.

  When they finished, he sprawled onto the bed on his back, breathing heavily, and Marissa rested her head on his chest. “Wow.”

  He chuckled softly. “Ditto.”

  She glanced over him at the clock. It was only eight. “We have a few choices. We can go to sleep. We can watch a movie. Or we can do more research.” She combed her fingers along the hair on his chest. “What do you think?”

  “Let’s research. I think you are going to have to write that books series we keep talking about. I can just see your name on a book cover. What would you call your series?”

  “Clover Creek Caravan, I think. My mind keeps going back to their nights camping on Clover Creek. They all loved it there.” She shrugged. “Someday we’ll need to ride out and find this Clover Creek.”

  Aaron nodded. “Perfect series title. You like alliteration, I guess?”

  Marissa shrugged. “Who doesn’t?”

  He smiled. “What will you call them?”

  “I’m not sure. I’ll have to work on that some more.” She looked around for her clothes, but they were nowhere to be seen. “Where on earth did you put my clothes?”

  “I think they’re at the foot of the bed.” He stroked a hand over her arm. “Do you need them?”

  “I do.”

  He sighed. “Tell me where your pajamas are, and I’ll go get you a pair. Then you can run around in pajamas all night.”

  “Middle drawer of the dresser on top.”

  He nodded, getting out of bed and leaving the bedroom, still completely naked. “I’ll get some.”

  She sat up in the bed, keeping the sheet tucked under her arms. It seemed strange that she’d just slept with a man she’d only known for a month, when she’d never felt safe sleeping with John. Aaron was such a good man when his nose wasn’t buried in a book. She hadn’t expected to start feeling so much for him so soon, but it had happened. Underneath the absent-minded professor was a man who made her heart beat faster. How
could that be a bad thing?”

  They spent the evening in the study, both of them reading journals, and both of them taking notes. Aaron was secretly thrilled Marissa was going to try to write a book series. No one should spend her entire life planning other people’s Disney vacations.

  When it was time for bed, she went into his arms sweetly and they made love again, much more slowly that time. She fell asleep with a smile on her lips, pleased that she’d married the only man in the world who was perfect for her. Though why she was suddenly believing that purple-haired matchmaker, she had no idea.

  Eventually she’d have to call Dr. Lachele and tell her she was right, but it didn’t have to be immediately. She was sure Dr. Lachele would put an extra purple feather in her cap over that one.

  Eight

  Aaron and Marissa worked Saturday morning to get all of Marissa’s things in the master bedroom, hanging beside his. They spent the rest of the morning studying, breaking only to go to lunch when it was time for Mrs. Larsen to clean the study.

  “We’re going to go get lunch while you finish up,” Marissa said. She and Mrs. Larsen had built up a rapport during the weekly cleaning sessions.

  “That sounds wonderful. You two have fun.”

  “We will. I’m craving Chick-Fil-A, and he’s not getting out of it this time.”

  He groaned. “I want to go somewhere someone will serve us.”

  “I serve you every single meal you eat. Aren’t you spoiled enough?” Marissa asked.

  Mrs. Larsen laughed softly. “You two work it out. I’ll be an hour or two finishing up.”

  Marissa nodded, following Aaron out to his car. “I guess Chick-Fil-A doesn’t make sense, but you’re getting it for lunch on Monday!”

  “I guess that works. I just don’t know why you want Chick-Fil-A when someone could serve you for a change.”

  “I miss their frozen lemonades. And their chicken nuggets. They have the best chicken nuggets in the whole wide world!”

  “Let’s do Texas Roadhouse instead.”

  She shrugged. “I could use a good country fried steak. That sounds yummy.”

  “Good. Cuz I want their cactus blossom for an appetizer.”

  “What if I want something else as an appetizer?” she asked. “Did you ever think of that?”

  “What do you want for an appetizer.”

  “Oh, I love the cactus blossom.” She smiled at him sweetly as he groaned and backed out of his parking space.

  “Are you trying to make me crazy?”

  “That depends. Is it working?”

  He laughed. “You are a mess, my little wife.”

  “I try.”

  As they drove, he pointed out different places around town. “You need to know where everything is, not just where to get groceries.”

  She shrugged. “I get everything but groceries from Amazon. I’m used to small town living.”

  “Well, you don’t really have to here. We have a Target and a million other stores. Don’t you like to try on clothes? I thought all women loved to shop for clothes.” She was certainly not like the other women he’d known.

  She shrugged. “Not me. I’ve never really enjoyed shopping. I don’t like to waste my time that way. When I was a kid my mom would drive us to the nearest mall and set us free for hours, and I hated it. My sisters loved it, though.”

  “How many sisters do you have? And why am I just now asking you this?” He felt like he should know everything about her with all the talking they’d done, but they’d talked a lot about the Oregon Trail.

  “I have three sisters and a brother. I’m second oldest. My older sister was always dropping her kids off at my place while I was trying to work. She didn’t think what I did was a legitimate job because I was home all day. It made me so crazy.”

  “At least it was only her,” he said, shrugging.

  “Yeah, the others expected me to run their errands for them. The next in line after me showed up one day with a grocery list and handed it to me along with the key to her apartment. When I told her I wouldn’t do it, she got mad, telling me my schedule was easier than anyone’s she knew.”

  “But you were working!” Aaron said, shaking his head. “Why don’t people think anyone else works?”

  “No clue. And thank you for taking my side without even meeting them.”

  “It’s my job to take your side. I’m married to you, not them.”

  Marissa smiled. “My hero.”

  He pulled into the parking lot at Texas Roadhouse and parked. When she reached for the handle to open her door, he turned her head to him and kissed her quickly.

  “What was that for?”

  “For making me happier than I ever dreamed I could be,” Aaron said before getting out of the car. He took her hand as they walked into the restaurant and waited to be seated.

  Five minutes later, they were still looking through their menus when a perky young brunette came to the table. She asked what they wanted to drink, and as Aaron asked for Mountain Dew and the cactus blossom, she turned pale. “Dr. Christiansen.”

  “Are you one of my students?” he asked. He never could keep track of all the girls in his classes. Even though his classes were small, they all seemed to melt into one in his head.

  “Yes, I am. I’m in your Oregon Trail class this semester. You see me every day.”

  “Oh, sorry…” He couldn’t get his brain to tell her his name for anything.

  “It’s Miranda.”

  “Sorry, Miranda. I don’t usually learn my students’ names, though I know I should. It’s hard for me.”

  “I see.” Miranda quickly jotted down what they wanted. “I guess this is your new wife?”

  “Does everyone on campus know I just got married?” he asked. He was surprised that the student grapevine was as active as the staff’s.

  “Of course, we do. Every girl who has ever taken one of your classes has a crush on you. Is it so shocking we pay attention when you show up with a beautiful woman and say she’s your wife?” Miranda stalked away angrily after that.

  Aaron looked at Marissa with a surprised look on his face. “Why do my female students think they have a hold on me?” he asked.

  Marissa shrugged. “You’re handsome. You have to realize that. Teaching college courses means girls aren’t far off from your age. How old are you? I can’t believe I don’t know that. Or when your birthday is!”

  “I’m twenty-eight, and my birthday is next week,” he told her.

  “Next week! You never told me!”

  “I just did.” He shrugged. “I’ve never considered my birthday very important.”

  “Well, I consider it important. Tell me what your very favorite meal is, and I’ll make it for supper that night. What night?”

  “Friday, so we’re already going to supper at Bob’s. But we can do it a different night if you feel like it’s that important. It won’t bother me if we don’t celebrate it at all.”

  “We’re going to celebrate! What’s your favorite meal?” Marissa asked. She could put together a nice meal and get him a gift by Friday. She might have to shop, but she could probably handle that.

  “I like chicken and dumplings. I know it’s a kid meal, but it’s my very favorite.”

  “Then I will make chicken and dumplings for you.” Marissa shook her head. “I can’t believe your birthday almost happened without you telling me!”

  “I don’t know when your birthday is either,” he said calmly. “I didn’t think it was a big deal.”

  “June twenty-fifth.”

  “And you’re how old?”

  “Twenty-four.” She leaned back as the onion came and her drink was placed on the table in front of her.

  “Do you know what you want to order yet?” Miranda asked. Her voice was soft, but she still looked upset to Marissa.

  “I’d like the country-fried steak with mashed potatoes.”

  “Cream or brown gravy?”

  “Cream. And for my second side, I
want green beans.” Marissa enjoyed watching Aaron’s discomfort. The girl had already admitted she had a crush on him, and she was right there taking his order. He didn’t handle things like that well.

  “I’ll have the ribeye with a loaded baked potato and chili.”

  “Thanks Dr. Christiansen. Mrs. Christiansen.” Her words were polite, but her glare wasn’t. Marissa waited until she was out of earshot before whispering. “She likes you a lot!”

  He groaned. “I hope you’re wrong.”

  “She already admitted to it.” Marissa broke off a piece of fried onion and popped it into her mouth. “We’re going to have to go on a walk later to work this off.”

  He groaned. “I don’t want to.” Aaron felt like he got enough exercise walking to the college and back every day.

  “We’ll walk down by the river, and then we’ll study the rest of the day.”

  “I know a more pleasant way to work off excess calories.”

  “Not until you’ve walked with me by the river. That’s my favorite thing about living here, and you never want to do it.”

  “Oh, I want to do it. I just don’t want to walk by the river.” His wink left her no doubt as to his meaning.

  She rolled her eyes. “Fine. I’ll walk by myself. I don’t need my husband to go with me. Maybe if you gain a little weight all the girls you teach won’t glare at me all the time.”

  “That might be nice,” he said with a wink, taking a big bite of the onion.

  “You never gain weight, do you?”

  He shook his head. “I weigh what I did as a junior in high school. Before you moved in, I ate take out for supper every night, and ate fast food at school the other two meals.”

  She sighed. “I don’t think I like you at this moment. I will need to take that walk if I don’t want to have gained three pounds by Monday.”

  “Are you sure that’s the kind of exercise you want to do and not the fun kind?” Aaron winked at her, and she laughed.

  “What journal are you working on now?” she asked, changing the subject abruptly. “Have you finished the journals of the wagon train I’m reading about?”

  He was happy to accept the change, discussing the journal of a young man who was going west to start a ranch on his own. “His name is James Prewitt, but everyone calls him Jamie, it seems. He’s only twenty-three, and he’s convinced that he wants to go out west and help change the world.”