Page 34 of The Matchmaker and the Marine

“He was.” She got up, grabbed the cookie jar, handed it to Adam and then sat down. “We got married and had three wonderful years together. We talked about having kids, but again, we felt there was plenty of time.” A lone tear clung to her bottom lashes. “Turns out we were wrong.”

Gently Adam asked, “What happened?”

“He was on patrol. There was a car broken down on the side of the highway and he stopped to provide assistance.” She looked away. Her voice broke. “John never knew what happened. He was struck by a drunk driver.”

Adam stretched his hand and took hers. Giving it a squeeze, he said, “Melinda, I am truly sorry.”

She pulled her hand away and wiped away the tear as it slid down her cheek. “That was four years ago.”

“It still feels like it just happened, doesn’t it?” Adam stated.

With a small nod, Melinda said, “I miss him every day, but we shared a lifetime of love in twelve short years.” She looked up, her heart full of memories, and smiled through the tears that slid down her cheeks, her eyes bright. “I wouldn’t trade what we had for anything.”

He wiped away her tears from her cheeks with his fingers.

“To cry in my soup would be to tarnish the memories. John wouldn’t want me to continue to grieve.”

Adam arched a brow. “Then I don’t understand.” He looked at the gold band on her hand.

She knew what he was asking without saying a word. “The stars aligned when I met John. I couldn’t settle for less than what we had and what if I lost him too. I couldn’t live through that again, I just couldn’t bear it. Instead, I can help others find it. It seems to be the greatest gift John left me. Each couple that finds their happily ever after is like a part of me and John live on.”

She didn’t know why she let so much spill out, but Adam was easy to talk to. “I’m sure that makes zero sense to you.”

“I understand what you mean. You have tucked yourself away so you wouldn’t have to open yourself up to losing someone you love again.” He grazed her hand with his. “You’re short changing yourself and some guy who would be lucky enough to have you in his life.”

Melinda blinked away what was left of her tears. Was he insinuating she was hiding as part of some self-preservation thing?

Before she could speak, Adam shrugged. “Trust me, I know what it’s like to do things out of self-preservation.”

It was as if he was reading her mind. She studied him. “What are you hiding, Adam?”

Color flushed his neck and face.

“I can tell you’re protecting a part of yourself.”

Adam stood up. His eyes were filled with something Melinda thought was a mix of anger, sorrow and regret. “For now, let’s just say we both carry scars from our past.” He scooped up Skye and turned toward the door. “I need to get Skye home. She’s had a busy day. See you later, Mel.”

“Adam, wait!” she cried. “Don’t leave angry.”

He paused mid-step. “I’m not.” He gave her a half smile. “Really.”

Melinda watched as Adam walked out without a backward look. She leaned against the closed door. Suddenly the house felt empty and she was alone. Adam was right about one thing. Her decision to remain the single matchmaker really was an excuse to protect herself from any further pain. How on earth did he penetrate her carefully crafted shell?

Adam took his time driving home. His heart was heavy. Mel had endured so much loss at a young age. Losing the person you love couldn’t be easy. They had both suffered a significant loss due to a horrific, random act. He’d lost a physical part of himself, and Mel’s heart had been shattered.

He pulled up behind the garage and turned off the truck. His cell phone pinged. He looked at the screen. It was a text message from Beth, his most recent match. He dropped the phone in his shirt pocket and picked up Skye. He would contact her later. Right now, he needed to call Mel. He should have told her when he was at her place that he’d be back to work on the pergola tomorrow, weather permitting of course. The last thing he wanted to do was have her think he was walking off the job after leaving her place in a black mood.

After climbing the stairs and feeding Skye, he pulled out his phone. Should he text or call? “A coward would send a text.”

He dialed the phone and it seemed like forever until he heard her say, “Hello.”

“Hi, Mel.”

“Hi.” He could hear the surprise in her voice.

“I wanted to let you know I’ll be over tomorrow, as long as it doesn’t rain.”

“Adam…” She hesitated. “I’m sorry I upset you.”

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