Sweet Easter: Montana Matchmakers, #9

By Reina M. Williams

Easter brings new beginnings to Loving…

 

Autumn West doesn't want to be set up, and she's not looking for romance. So when her childhood best friend, Ethan Manning, asks her to be his wedding buddy for his older brothers' upcoming weddings, she agrees. But Ethan, now a handsome man—not that she's noticing—is acting differently, and she's determined to find out why.

 

Ethan Manning can't remember when his crush on Autumn started. With the encouragement of the town matchmakers, he's making inroads to reveal his feelings to Autumn. Her painful relationship with her mother keeps her closed off, even from Ethan's comfort. Ethan won't desert his friend, or his plan, and his brother's wedding gives him and Autumn a chance to decide if one date will turn into the love of a lifetime.

 

And the Montana Matchmakers sweeten the holiday with the magic of romance!

 

Length: 55 pages

Heat level: Sweet/Kisses Only

Content advisory: brief discussions of grief and parental emotional abuse

 

Find love in Loving with the Montana Matchmakers, inspired by Jane Austen's couples and classic Hollywood musicals like Hello, Dolly and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers!
Sweet Christmas (short story)
Sweet Valentine (short story)
Sweet Spring (short story)
Sweet Summer (short story)

Hello Dolly (novella)
Sweet Fall (short story)
One Moment (novella)

Sweet Winter (short story)

Sweet Easter (short story)

Sweet May (short story)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rickrack Books
• Release date: Mar 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393551218

Book preview

Chapter One

Autumn Daisy West was all in. She’d do nearly anything to avoid being set up by well-meaning friends, even be her oldest friend’s wedding date. Wedding buddy? She nodded in answer to his stammered question, stepped out from behind the counter of Molloy’s Miscellany, and faced her childhood friend, Ethan Manning. His beard still threw her off—to her, he’d always be that gangly kid with shoulder-length curls who’d been one of the only ones willing to join in her adventures. Now he was tall, still skinny, and had a close-trimmed beard and short hair.

So, you’ll be my wedding, uh, non-date? He shoved his hands in his pockets and scanned the now-closed downtown gift and sundries store where Autumn worked.

Sure. It’s good, no one will try to get us dates.

With two weddings—Ethan’s oldest brothers Adam and Brandon were marrying their girlfriends—coming up this weekend and more on the way, she wanted to avoid the inevitable setups and questions. Too bad it wouldn’t be so easy to put her mother off, though Autumn could ignore her calls. But only for so long, or her mother would start in again with you don’t love me and you’ll never find love.

When Ethan stayed silent, she punched his arm lightly. And I can say no for real when Jeff Riggs asks me out.

Ethan rubbed his arm and frowned. Jeff bugging you?

He and his brother think they’re God’s gift. She rolled her eyes. He calls me pumpkin every time he sees me. It’s sickening.

Ethan grinned. Surprised you haven’t told him where to stick that.

You know, I have to be more...diplomatic, now that I work in customer service. When I was at Gallagher’s, Mrs. G ran interference, but now it’s usually just me here. Mrs. G, town matriarch and seventy-something force to be reckoned with, was one of the people Autumn considered family.

Ethan hung his head a moment. You didn’t have to leave your family ranch. I bet Mike would’ve hired you.

She strode around turning off the main lights and checking the displays. He offered. Too many memories. When Dad died, it was just Autumn. Her mom had already vacated the ranch, and her marriage, as soon as Autumn had graduated high school several years back, and now she was remarried and living in Florida. Autumn had had to sell the ranch, luckily to her cousin Mike. She touched the hollow of her throat.

I get that. Just...you sure you’re okay, working here alone?

Not you too. She shook her head. I’m not some fragile little thing.

I know. He rubbed his arm again. Small but mighty.

Her lips quirked and she placed her hand on his. I didn’t really hurt you, did I?

Nah. His voice croaked and he held her hand.

He must be feeling some kind of way to hold her hand—probably he was nostalgic for when things were simpler, when they used to run through the woods along the creek holding hands, when his family was together. She squeezed his hand like she used to when they were little. Their dads had been good friends, so she and Ethan had known each other since before she could remember. Which was why she could tell something was bothering him, from the way he gripped her hand to his pulled-together brows. What’s up, bud?

He grimaced and edged his hand away, shaking his head.

Alright, then what brings you to town?

Thought, uh, you could help me shop for a wedding gift for Minnie and Adam? You know, now that you’re in retail. He shifted on his feet.

Something wasn’t adding up. Maybe it was just that she and Ethan hadn’t seen each other since Thanksgiving, when she’d gone out to Manning Ranch with Mrs. G and Irene for the holiday. But four months shouldn’t cause any awkwardness between them. They hadn’t seen each other regularly since middle school, when Ethan’s dad died and he and his twin and younger brother switched to homeschooling.

"You know they