Prologue

PROLOGUE

T he living room of Gillian Mercer's cozy home was filled with the chatter and laughter of her Romance Reader's Book Club. Normally they'd hang out have tea and pastries and chat about the latest romantic book making the waves. But recently, one of her good friends asked permission to invite another friend to join.

The woman's name was Geraldine Wilder, or Gerri as she preferred to be called. She appeared much younger than Nancy herself or any of the women in the book club. Gerri's ice-white hair and striking blue eyes were an incredible combination and when she smiled she really looked a lot younger. Nancy wasn't sure if she was old enough to be matchmaking but apparently she'd been doing it for years.

Gerri was a professional matchmaker. Owner of the Paranormal Dating Agency, she had a one-hundred percent success rate at matching people with their perfect someone and zero divorces. If that didn't get Nancy and her friends excited, nothing would. More women than usual had shown up to this gathering wanting to meet the matchmaker.

"Ms. Wilder, thank you so much for joining us." Gillian smiled. Nancy nodded excitedly. She knew it was nearly impossible for any of the women there to get their kids to date, much less find love. They all needed help desperately.

Gerri sat in the center of the circle, holding court like a mischievous queen bee.

"All right, ladies," Gerri called out, her voice cutting through the chatter. "I am really excited to join you all here today. I know this is normally a book club meeting, but I have a feeling by looking at all your faces that books are the last thing you want to talk about."

A chorus of cheers and giggles erupted from the assembled mothers, including Gillian, who sat beside Nancy, her eyes twinkling with anticipation.

"Gerri, we are so grateful you're here. I've tried so hard with my daughter, Lena," Nancy Caldwell started. "I got one of our members to help me set up a date with her son and my Lena, and I can already tell you, it's gonna be nearly impossible to get her to go, much less to put any effort into the date."

The others nodded in agreement. "I can't even get Alex to meet anyone," Gillian said with frustration.

"Well, that's your first problem there," Gerri said. "You shouldn't be making them do anything." She met Nancy's gaze. "Let Lena go on her date that you set up, but I don't want any more blind dates going on."

They all glanced around at each other in confusion. "I'm sorry," Gillian said. "Then how do we get them to meet?"

Gerri gave an evil grin. "You set up situations in which they're forced to connect with each other."

Nancy laughed. "That's genius. Evil, but genius."

Gillian nodded. "I know! But how would that work?"

Gerri glanced at the two of them and tapped her chin. "Your son Alex is a shifter right?" Gillian nodded. "Headstrong? Alpha? I'm pretty sure I know who he is."

Gillian's eyes widened. "You do?"

Gerri nodded. "And your daughter, Lena. She's not your typical girl, huh?"

Nancy sighed. "No. She's intelligent but she's also what she calls a nerd and is into some stuff some people find boring."

Gerri's smile widened. "I will work with you two first."

Gillian and Nancy glanced at each other. "Us?"

"Yes. Your son and daughter are a perfect match and we need to create a situation that will allow them to find each other."

"Oh, my gosh!" Nancy squealed. She turned to Gillian and hugged her. "We're gonna have grandbabies!"

The women started cheering and laughing.

"Thank god!" Gillian laughed. "I was worried there for Alex."

"I just wanted to get Lena laid," Nancy giggled. "I mean, that girl has some pent-up sexual frustration that gives me headaches."

Gerri laughed and nodded. "I know all about that. So many of these young people don't realize just how much they're missing out when they become so obsessed with work that they have no romance in their lives." She gave a conspiratorial wink. "But we're about to let them get their freak on."

"Yes!"

The room erupted in a flurry of excitement as the mothers began to plot and plan, their voices rising and falling in a symphony of matchmaking mayhem. Gerri held court at the center of it all, doling out advice and encouragement like a fairy godmother on a mission.

As the meeting wound down and the mothers began to disperse, still giggling and scheming, Gerri pulled Nancy and Gillian aside.

"Ladies," she said, her voice low and conspiratorial, "I have a feeling that by this time next year, we'll be knee-deep in wedding invitations and baby shower gifts. Those two won't know what hit them!"

Nancy and Gillian grinned, their eyes sparkling with anticipation. They lifted their tea cups and cheered. "To The Matchmaker's Book Club."

Let the matching begin.