Page 12 of The Matchmaker and the Marine

With a small laugh, she said, “Trust me. That’s all you need, best natural cleaner on earth.”

His eyebrow arched. “Really?”

Melinda started the kettle and Adam tossed the wet paper towels in the garbage can. He put everything away and sat down on a stool. She could feel Adam watching her while she poured hot water over the tea bags.

“I didn’t realize people still made iced tea the old-fashioned way,” he said, “When I was a kid, my grandmother used to.”

Melinda smiled. “Mine made it from a bottle of dried tea, like instant coffee.” She wrinkled up her nose. “It was awful.”

She set out several cookies on a plate and slid it over the countertop. “While the tea finishes steeping, why don’t you show me your ideas for the patio?”

Adam popped open the tube and looked at the countertop. “Let’s unroll this outside and I can walk you through the ideas.”

Melinda felt herself grin. “Like you can paint me a visual with the drawings and actual description.” She started to walk toward the back door and turned to see Adam was still sitting at the counter. “Are you coming?”

He had a pained expression on his face. “Sorry, I got a muscle cramp.”

“We can stay inside if that would help.” She stood in the open doorway.

With a shake of his head, Adam slowly stood up. He half limped down the short hallway, stiff-legged. “Not to worry, it’ll be fine.”

It wasn’t a cramp. It was a quick, searing pain that spread downward. But he couldn’t tell her the truth. The last thing he wanted was sympathy, or worse, pity.

He couldn’t stand to have her feel sorry for him. This was not what he wanted the afternoon to be like. “After you.” Melinda stepped out the door. In the distance, thunder rumbled. “We should probably hurry.” He wanted to massage his knee again, but that would draw too much attention to something he wanted to avoid at all cost.

Adam ignored the pain and strode over to the table. With a flick of his hand, the plans rolled out. “Mel...”

Melinda pointed to the drawing. “So, tell me, how is this going to look?” She glanced around the patio and back to the paper.

Adam leaned in and ran his hand over the plans. He tapped a couple of circles. “Right here we’re going to have columns where your grapevines can climb. As you asked, all the wood is going to be cedar.”

She pointed to a rectangle on the drawing. “What’s right here?”

“I added a bench so you can sit and relax.”

“Could it be a swing instead?” She looked into his eyes. Adam couldn’t help but notice her eyes, framed by long lashes. They still had flecks of gold, but today they were more green than blue. He liked how they seemed to change, like the Atlantic Ocean. They reminded him of that friendly glass she had been looking for when they walked on the beach the day of the picnic.

“Sure, that’s easy enough to do.” With a sweeping motion of his arm, he gestured to where each column would stand. “The overall height would be nine feet.”

“I can see it.” She half closed her eyes and smiled at him. “It’s going to be just perfect.”

Something inside him stirred. Adam really wanted to make this a special place for her. He handed her a smaller piece of paper. “This is the total damage.” He grinned. “But with the cedar wood, it will last for many years to come.”

She glanced at the price. If she was shocked, she didn’t let it show. “When can you start?”

He cocked his head. “You’re okay with the estimate?”

“If anything, I’m surprised it wasn’t more.” She gave him a bright smile. “So?”

He ran a hand over his chin. “I can start the week after next.”

Her face fell. “Okay.”

“Is something wrong, Mel?”

She tilted her head and wrinkled her nose. “Why do you call me Mel?”

“I’m sorry. It seems to suit you, but if it bothers you I won’t do it again.”

---