Read Online A Perfect Match by Kathleen Fuller - Free Book Online Page A

that pie.”
    â€œWith two scoops.” He smiled. “I like pie too, especially homemade. I usually make black raspberry pie in the summer.”
    â€œYou bake too?”
    â€œ Ya . Had to learn, living on my own for so long. I’m not a great cook, but what I make is edible. Nothing like your cooking, though. That’s in a class by itself.”
    He knew the right thing to say.
    â€œWhy have you never married?”
    â€œWhat?”
    Naomi bit her bottom lip. The question had just flown out of her mouth, and she’d do anything to reel it in. Now she understood how awkward Margaret must have felt the other night. “Never mind. It’s none of my business.”
    â€œI don’t mind answering. I’ve got nothing to hide.” He put his hands on the table, palms up.
    â€œHere you go.” The waitress appeared with their sodas and a basket of fresh bread. She looked at Zeke. “Can I get you anything else?”
    â€œNee.” After the waitress left, he pushed the basket toward Naomi. She shook her head, and he grabbed a slice.
    â€œWhere were we?” he said, spooning a healthy amount of thick peanut butter spread on the soft slice. “Oh ya  . . . you wanted to know why I never married.”
    She waved her hand at him. “I don’t need to know—”
    â€œI think you do.”
    He stared at her with such intensity, she couldn’t pull her gaze away.
    â€œThe reason I haven’t married is simple. I haven’t found the right woman. God has a special frau in mind for me, and when He’s ready, He’ll bring us together.” He took a bite of the bread, then set the slice on his plate. “You don’t seem surprised,” he said when he finished chewing.
    â€œOf course I’m not. Isn’t that what we’re supposed to do? Wait on God and His timing?”
    â€œNot everyone does that. Some people marry for the wrong reasons.”
    The look on his face told her he was speaking from personal experience. “Did that happen to someone you know?” she asked. She’d already pried once, she might as well pry all the way.
    He nodded, looking down at his bread. “My parents. Whatever love they had in their marriage left a long time ago.”
    â€œBut they’re still together.”
    â€œ Ya , because the church says they have to be.” When she frowned, he waved his hand. “Don’t misunderstand me. I believe that marriage is for life. That’s why it’s so important the woman I marry be the right one.”
    â€œHow will you know?”
    He looked at her, and his hazel eyes, with their vivid hues of brown, green, and gold, darkened. “I’ll feel it in my heart.” Then he smiled. “So what about you? I’m surprised you haven’t married yet.”
    â€œI guess my reason is the same as yours. I haven’t found the right one.” But her motivations were different. She hadn’t prayed to God for the right mann to come along. Instead she kept herself busy, too busy to think—and sometimes even pray—about much of anything. It had worked after David left, and it continued to work for her now.
    The waitress showed up with Zeke’s meat loaf and her pie. They both bowed their heads and said a silent prayer. Naomi watched as he dug into the food with great enthusiasm, much as he had at her house. After he finished chewing a huge bite of gravy-smothered mashed potatoes she asked, “What do you think of the food?”
    â€œGut . ” His gaze met hers. “But not as gut as yours.”
    She blushed, unsure whether he was speaking the truth or being polite. While she preferred homemade food, she thought the meals at the Pantry were delicious. She decided he was being his usual charming self and pressed her fork into the flaky crust of her cherry pie.
    As they finished their meal, they fell into easy conversation. She made sure to