Free An Unexpected Match by Dana Corbit Page B

finish what he’d planned to say, words that would take away the only thing that had made sense to her since she’d moved back to Markston. Now he closed it, darting his tongue out to moisten his lips.
    Haley studied him, waiting. Had she said the one thing that would make a difference to Matthew? She wasn’t sure, but she took a chance anyway. She couldn’t explain why, but it had suddenly become critical to her that she had the opportunity to stay here caring for Elizabeth. She needed that child, and Elizabeth needed her. Whether he realized it or not, Matthew needed her help, too.
    â€œRemember, it’s only temporary,” she reminded him. “Only until you find a permanent child-care provider. Come on. Give me a second chance.”
    He shook his head again. “I don’t know. It just doesn’t seem like a good idea.”
    â€œI thought all Christians believed in second chances. Don’t you?”
    As soon as she said it, Haley realized she’d gone too far. If nothing she’d said before had changed his mind, then calling Matthew’s faith into question certainly wasn’t going to do it. She stared at his profile and waited for his jaw to tighten the way it always did when he was annoyed. Instead, she was surprised to see the side of his mouth lift.
    â€œAre you sure you want to pose that question to someone who earns at least part of his income filing wrongful death lawsuits? Family members of victims don’t get any second chances, and there are those who believe the defendants don’t deserve them, either.”
    Haley shrugged. She had no doubt which group Matthew fell into. There were no shades of gray in Matthew Warren’s world, only the blackest black and the whitest white.
    That didn’t leave her with much of an answer, but because he still seemed to expect one, she remarked, “Should have known better than to argue with an attorney.”
    â€œI’ll see you at 7:30 a.m. tomorrow.”
    Haley gave him a sharp glance. “Wait. But you said—”
    â€œI know what I said.”
    â€œYou mean you’re going to keep me on in this job?”
    â€œIt might surprise you, but I do believe in second chances. Especially when there are extenuating circumstances for you.”
    Haley should have been upset that he’d acted out of pity again, but she was too busy being grateful that he’d changed his mind. “Thank you. You won’t be sorry. I promise.” Words rushed from her mouth as she hurried to reassure him before he changed his mind. “I’ll keep myend of the bargain. You just write down Elizabeth’s schedule, and I’ll follow it.”
    â€œI’m sure you will.”
    Haley pressed on as if he still needed convincing. “And I’ll follow your house rules, no matter how strict.”
    Matthew cocked his head to the side, drawing his eyebrows together. “You make me sound like a dictator instead of a father.”
    â€œOh, no, no, no. I just mean I want you to know that you can trust me.”
    He looked over his shoulder at the child who had slept through the disagreement and its resolution before turning back to her. “I know I can.”
    She studied him to see if he was serious, and there was no humor in his eyes. Though she was thrilled that he’d decided to give her another chance, she didn’t understand it. What had changed?
    He answered her unasked question with a simple statement: “I love her, too.”
    It all made sense now. Because he knew she loved Elizabeth, he hoped she would do what was best for her. And he was right: she would.
    The matter settled, Matthew opened his car door and stepped outside. Opening the rear door, he reached in and started unbuckling his daughter’s car seat.
    The child’s lids opened, and she rubbed her eyes with her fists. “I want Miss Haley…” Her groggy voice slipped away as she drifted into