Page 53 of The Matchmaker and the Marine

“Is this how you got around your mom as a kid?”

He grinned. “My sister was way better at getting what she wanted compared to me.”

“Good to know.” She picked up her handbag and looked at him. “Are you sure you’re going to be all right?”

“Melinda, I’ve sustained injuries worse than this and I’m still standing.”

Her eyebrow arched. “Really, I sense a story lurking.”

“Nothing to tell here.” He teased, “Just don’t come back without something sweet.”

“Sir, yes, sir.” She gave him a mock salute, which caused him to laugh. “I’m outta here.”

She closed the door behind her and heard the television click on. Stacey was opening her back door. Melinda called out to her. “Stacey!”

Turning, she looked up the stairs. Surprise was apparent on her face. “Melinda, what are you doing here?”

“Adam was working at my place and had a little disagreement with a saw. I took him to the ER and they stitched him up. But I was wondering, any chance you could give me a lift home?”

“Is Adam okay?” Stacey placed a foot on the bottom rung of the stairs. “I need to check on him.”

Melinda walked down a few steps. “Adam told me to tell you he’s fine and not to worry.”

She looked up at the closed door and hesitated. “Are you sure?”

Melinda made a cross sign over her heart. “Trust me, I wouldn’t steer you wrong.”

Stacey stepped back and said, “Why don’t you come in for coffee first? You can fill me in on the details.”

Melinda descended the stairs. “Thanks for the offer, but I need to get home. I’m going to fix something for dinner for us and bring it back. I want to help Adam out as much as I can until he gets a handle on the pain meds.”

“How bad is it?”

“The blade missed the bone, but the gash was long and he bled a lot.” With an involuntary shudder, she pushed away the mental flash of the ER.

Stacey reached out a steadying hand. “Are you okay? You’re as white as a ghost.”

She swallowed hard. “Hospitals and I don’t get along.”

“Let me get you home and we’ll have coffee at your house while you cook.”

Melinda allowed Stacey to steer her toward the car. Maybe it was a good thing that she was going to be sitting down; the ground seemed to be very uneven under her feet.

During the short drive to Melinda’s house, Stacey asked a lot of questions, most of which Melinda couldn’t answer.

“He is so testy,” Melinda stated. “Like, I thought he’d be more comfortable taking off his work boots, but when I suggested it he flipped out.”

Stacey gave her a sidelong glance. “Maybe his feet smell.”

With a snort Melinda said, “After what I saw at the hospital, the last thing that would gross me out would be stinky feet.”

“Men are funny creatures.” Stacey slowed and turned into Melinda’s driveway. As they entered the house, Stacey looked out the back door. “Where’s your hose?”

“Why?”

“I’ll wash the patio down while you brew the coffee.”

Melinda sank onto a bar stool and laid her head on the cool counter top. She mumbled, “I forgot about the blood.”

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