Matthew's Choice

He left it all behind. Until now.

It’s New Year’s Eve, and for Matt Jefferies, life is perfect. The penthouse, the career—even the perfect soon-to-be-fiancée. But then Matt’s troubled past knocks on his door. And once Allie Carson says hello, everything changes.

Allie broke up with Matt years ago, when he turned “that kid from Beaker Street” into a cold, corporate city slicker. It went against what she loved about him—and the small-town life she could never leave. Now, with Matt’s estranged family facing desperate times, it’s time for him to come home. And to choose between the man Matt’s become…and the woman who never stopped loving him.

After all this time, they were here, together again.

Matt rolled onto his back, laced his fingers behind his head and stared at the sky. “This farm is the only place in Cedar Grove I like to be. Even the sky seems bluer. Do you remember the time we tried to cross the creek on that log, and you fell in?”

It wasn’t falling into the creek Allie remembered. It was the kiss that had followed after he’d fished her out.

Matt sat up, his knees dangerously close to hers.

The woodsy scent of his aftershave sent a shiver through her body, and she looked away from his warm gaze, aware that he was recalling the kiss, as well. When he leaned toward her, she wanted him to kiss her again. But he was marrying Jessica.

A current she couldn’t ignore charged the air between them, pulling her toward Matt. He cupped her face in his hands and hesitantly kissed her, his lips tender. Seconds passed, and she began to speak.

He put his finger on her lips. “Shh.”

This time there was no hesitation as he claimed her mouth. She slipped her arms around him and gave in to the moment, losing herself to the passion she’d locked away for so long.

He’s going to marry someone else.

Allie stopped. She couldn’t do this.

She couldn’t let him break her heart again….

Dear Reader,

I am so excited you have chosen Matthew’s Choice. Have you ever wanted something so much that you would do almost anything to get it? That describes Matthew Jefferies. Growing up on the wrong side of the small Mississippi town of Cedar Grove instilled a desire in Matthew to be rich and successful. But he believes he has to change who he is to attain that goal. After college, he cuts ties with his family and leaves his fiancée, Allie, behind to seek his fortune. Now, ten years later, he’s well on his way. A high-paying job, an expensive car, a fancy apartment and an engagement to the woman of his dreams, who happens to be the boss’s daughter—he’s on top of the world.

When he returns to Cedar Grove to care for his sister’s son after she becomes critically ill, Matthew is thrown together with his ex-fiancée, and a struggle for his heart ensues. Allie is his past and Jessica is his future, and both have a strong hold on him.

In this book I’ve tried to show Matthew’s struggle as he learns what true success is. I hope you enjoy his journey and feel that he makes the right choice.

Patricia Bradley

PATRICIA BRADLEY

lives in north Mississippi with her rescue cat, Suzy. She presents workshops on healthy relationships and writing. But her heart is tuned to writing stories of love and hope with happily-ever-after endings. When she’s not writing or presenting workshops, she likes to throw mud on a wheel and see what happens. She loves to connect with readers on Facebook.

In memory of my mother, Frances Bradley

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Copyright

CHAPTER ONE

“NOAH, COME DANCE with me.”

His mom’s voice floated like a feather from the tiny living room to the equally tiny kitchen, where Noah searched the bare pantry for something to eat.

“Not now, Mom.” Bleach from the big pan on the stove made his eyes water. He had to remember to take his socks and stuff out before he went to bed.

“Noah! Get in here this instant!”

His stomach twisted. He closed the pantry door and trudged into the living room, where his mom waltzed around the room to music playing on a CD player, her skinny arms crooked as if she were being held. She had that “look” he’d come to dread. She barely missed the small cedar tree with its paper ornaments and cardboard star on top. Dry needles lay scattered on the tile floor. He’d have to drag it to the street tomorrow. New Year’s Day. His shoulders dropped. Then school would start back again next week.

His mom stopped when she spied him. “There’s my boy. C’mere. You’ll be a teenager before I know it, and you need to know how to dance. Those girls are gonna be knockin’ our door down.”