Free His to Command #1: The Chase by Opal Carew Page A

Once she had it unpacked, she called Ellen to come and see it.
    Kate set out some refreshments, then slumped into the chair to await the arrival of her friend. Unfortunately, with the cessation of activity, her thoughts turned to the man she’d seen at Cavendish Mall.
    Matt.
    Had it really been him?
    The jolt she’d felt as their gazes had locked sent remembered sparks crackling across her nerve endings. Surely, she’d only imagined the flare of recognition in his eyes. Certainly, there’d been an uncanny similarity between this man’s appearance and Matt’s unforgettable features, but that didn’t mean they were one and the same person. Besides, why would he be here in Connecticut? He was the owner of a large computer firm and…
    She shifted uncomfortably in her chair as the names of several high-tech corporations that had their headquarters in the area sprang unbidden to her mind. Had Matt’s company set up an office here, too?
    She continued to rock, trying to shake some sense into her brain. She was being silly. This speculation was all based on the possibility that the man she’d seen today was Matt, and it probably hadn’t been. The anniversary of when she’d moved here was coming up and that reminded her of the turmoil her life had been in when she’d left New York City two years ago. Her relationship with Matt had fallen apart shortly before that, then things had gone from bad to worse and she’d had to sell the wonderful apartment she’d finally managed to put a down payment on. She’d loved that place, and she’d loved living in the city. But she’d had no choice but to leave.
    No, surely her overactive imagination had tricked her into thinking that was Matt today.
    Matt Pearce was definitely not in Connecticut.
    A knock sounded on the door and she strode across the room to answer it, relieved for a distraction from her turbulent emotions.
    “Oh, it’s lovely. Can I sit in it?” Ellen exclaimed when she saw the rocking chair.
    The chair was a golden oak glider with beige striped upholstery and a matching ottoman. She’d been torn between the beige and the berry red, but beige won out.
    “Be my guest.” Kate made a sweeping gesture toward the chair and smiled as Ellen sank reverently into the chair, stroking the beige fabric over the armrests.
    “I love it,” Ellen said.
    Kate sliced her famous blueberry-lemon pound cake—famous because it was the only thing she could bake—and handed Ellen a serving.
    “So…,” Ellen said, letting the word linger. “A handsome man was asking about you this afternoon. He saw you driving my van.”
    Apprehension jolted through Kate like a major electrical shock. Her fork slipped from her suddenly numb fingers and clattered onto her plate.
    “What?”
    Ellen put down her fork and leaned forward, concern sharpening her intent stare.
    “Kate, what the heck’s the matter?”
    “Who was he? Have you ever seen him before?” Amazingly, her voice sounded steady, totally unaffected by the tendrils of dread coiling through her. God, please, don’t let it be Matt.
    “Sure I have. I don’t go around talking to strangers, you know. I met him when he moved in a few weeks ago.”
    “Moved in?” Kate’s voice tightened, vibrating with tension. This couldn’t be happening. Was Matt Pearce living in this building?
    Ellen plunked her plate onto her knees and grasped one of Kate’s shaking hands in her own. “Calm down. I promise I won’t tell him who you are if you don’t want me to. That’s why I brought it up. I think he wants me to introduce you so he can ask you for a date.”
    “A date?” Kate shook her head. “Oh, no, I don’t think that’s a good idea.” If it was Matt, she didn’t know why he would be looking for her, but it wouldn’t be for a date.
    “At least, give him a chance. He’s young, very attactive—”
    “Ellen, I don’t think—”
    “—and a doctor. He’s just getting started in his practice but—”
    “He’s a