Match Made In Paradise by Barbara Dunlop (black female authors TXT) 📕

“The bank’s high enough that we wouldn’t need to worry about floods.”

“Live and learn,” she said, liking the idea of the precaution.

“We can build the deck right out over the water, get the morning sun, glass part of it in if we want to extend the season. If we take down a few of those trees over there, our bedroom will have views out two sides.”

“You’ve really thought this through, haven’t you?”

He pulled her close to his side. “What do you think?”

“I love it.”

“You sure? It doesn’t have to be here.”

“We’d practically be neighbors with Raven. Of course it has to be here.”

A smile curved his lips. “There’s a footpath to her place. It’s a ten-minute walk, but we can bring in a machine and widen it for the ATV.”

“We’re getting an ATV?”

“I have an ATV.”

“Aren’t you just full of surprises?”

“I have a boat, too. We can build a dock and a boathouse right out front, and we can tour up the river whenever the mood strikes us.”

“It’s perfect,” she said, gazing around.

He leaned in and kissed her hairline. “We can put in a lawn, or we can keep the meadow.”

She turned to face him, tilting her chin and looping her arms around his neck. “Anything sounds good to me.”

“We can decide later.”

“Let’s decide later.” Right now, she just wanted to enjoy the moment.

He bent his head to kiss her lips, the sweetest, most earthy kiss, making her wish the villa was already built so they could rush to the bedroom.

“There you are!” Raven’s voiced called out from a distance.

They broke their kiss, and Mia looked toward the sound and saw her cousin emerge from the trees.

“That path needs some work,” Raven said as she approached.

Mia smirked. “I’d be happy to widen it out with the mini loader.”

“Oh no you don’t.” There was a mock warning in Raven’s tone.

Silas kept his arm looped around Mia’s waist, resting loosely on her hip. “I can vouch for her. She’s pretty good with the heavy equipment.”

“I can see why you picked this spot.” Raven shaded her eyes and gazed around.

“We’re building the deck out over the river,” Mia said. In her mind’s eye, she could already see their villa blending into the natural setting.

“That’ll be Brodie,” Silas said as they heard a truck engine stop.

“He owes me twenty bucks,” Raven said. “I bet him you’d come back.”

“He probably thought that was a safe bet.” Three weeks ago, Mia herself would have put a lot more than twenty bucks on her staying in LA.

“He bet Silas would move to LA.”

Mia looked up at Silas, his profile in relief against the Alaskan wilderness. “That was never going to happen.”

“It might have happened,” Silas said as Brodie cleared the trees.

They watched him stride across the meadow.

“Welcome back,” he said to Mia as he approached. He smiled at her without a trace of reluctance, no suspicion or caution.

It warmed her heart to be accepted by him. “Thanks, Brodie.”

“So, this is the place,” he said, sounding like he approved.

“This is the place,” Silas responded. “Danny’s guy says he can double up on the crew and get it built before the snow flies.”

“While they’re here, maybe they can do some work on Raven’s house,” Brodie said, nudging her shoulder teasingly.

“Hey,” she protested. “Quit picking on my cabin. It’s got a great roof now.”

“Plumbing,” Brodie suggested with an arch of his brow.

“Oh, do the bathroom,” Mia added with enthusiasm. “Get yourself a real shower. Go wild, girl.”

Raven laughed. “Fine. The bathroom.” She paused. “Maybe the countertops too.”

“Welcome to the dark side, cousin.”

“Where are you staying while they build?” Raven asked her.

Mia looked at Silas, and he looked back. She couldn’t imagine sharing his single bed in WSA housing, but she didn’t want them to live apart either.

“Glamping?” she suggested. “They can set up a really nice wall tent. Right out here on the meadow.”

“Without plumbing?” Silas asked her in clear amazement.

Mia couldn’t say she loved the idea.

“You can take my place,” Raven said. “I’ll take Silas’s room until the construction’s complete.”

“Seriously?” Brodie said to Raven, his amazement rivaling Silas’s. “After all this time, you’ll move into WSA housing?”

Raven responded with a long-suffering sigh. “I think it’s my destiny.”

Brodie reached out and gave her ponytail a tug. “In that case, welcome to the neighborhood.”

“Are you sure?” Mia asked. She didn’t want to put Raven out for weeks.

“It’s not as bad as she thinks,” Brodie said. “The food’s good, and it’s walking distance to the Galina warehouse.”

“It’s only temporary,” Raven warned him.

Brodie seemed to be savoring her capitulation. But after a minute, he turned his attention to Mia. He rubbed his hands together. “So, Mia, while this is all going on, you think you’ll be super busy?”

“With the housebuilding?” she asked.

“Don’t forget the matchmaking,” Raven said.

“As if any of us could,” Brodie shot back.

“Why?” Mia asked, curious as to why he would care.

“Shannon has to go out on medical for a couple of weeks. I’m looking for a radio operator.”

Mia couldn’t believe what he was asking.

Silas gave her shoulder an encouraging squeeze.

She pointed to her chest. “You want me?”

“I want you. You proved yourself, and I’d be grateful for the help.”

She nodded, feeling elated. “Okay.”

He reached out to shake on it, his broad hand enclosing hers. “Then welcome to WSA.” He turned to Raven then, cocking his head. “Let’s do it. I’ll help you pack.”

“Right now?”

“These two need somewhere to sleep tonight.”

“It doesn’t have to be right away,” Mia quickly put in.

“No. It makes sense,” Raven said with a backward step. “No reason to wait. I’ll go make room.”

Raven and Brodie turned and left, walking side by side.

“I still think they’re going to be a thing,” Mia said as she watched the pair approach the forest fringe. Their voices faded, but it was clear they were continuing an animated conversation.

Silas stepped around to face her, blocking her view. He cradled her cheeks with his palms and his low sexy voice rumbled. “Maybe so. But you and me? We’re going to be the