Page 86 of The Matchmaker and the Marine

“I wanted to tour the car museum, or how would you feel about a drive near the ocean?”

“Before we check into the inn or after?”

“Let’s check in and get settled. Then we can go for a drive and meet everyone at the Brick Alley Pub for cocktails and dinner.”

She gave him a bright smile. “That sounds like a good idea.”

Adam watched the scenery slip by as Mel’s fingers tapped on the steering wheel in time to the music on the radio. What the hell had he been thinking? His knee was killing him. It was a good thing they were driving around Ocean Boulevard. There was no way an afternoon of walking would have hidden his discomfort.

Inwardly he groaned. Tripping over a duffel bag and twisting his knee was stupid enough, but then add in the macho guy act walking into the diner for coffee, which had caused even more pain.

He glanced at Mel. Did she suspect something? Was it too late to tell her the truth, here and now? Or would she think his omission a lie?

If he wasn’t with Mel, he’d massage his stump, but that was not an option right now. He shifted his position, hoping to alleviate some of his discomfort.

“Do you need an aspirin or something?” She handed him her bag. “There’s some in the inside pocket.”

“Why?”

“You’re fidgeting. I’m guessing your leg hurts more than you’re willing to let on.” She gave him a sympathetic look.

Her voice was so kind he had to wonder how she would feel if she knew the truth. Would she pretend it doesn’t matter when I know it does? Or maybe Mel really wouldn’t care. She isn’t a judgmental person.

“Earth to Adam.”

“Sorry. I was lost in thought.”

She laughed. “I could tell. I was asking you for another piece of muffin. You’re holding onto that bag with a vise grip.”

He looked down and saw the top of the paper was crumpled in his hand. “Oops.” Folding back the top of the bag, he offered it to her and then changed his mind and set it on the console. “Help yourself.”

“Adam, are you sure you’re okay? You’re strangely quiet.”

He could hear the concern in her voice and forced himself to grin. “I was wondering how we can fit everything in before Sunday—the winery, the fort, the cliff walk. You know, all the high spots.” He wondered had he packed enough aspirin to do all of those things.

“Whatever we don’t finish on Saturday, we have Sunday. We can head home later in the afternoon. We’re on our own schedule. Well, other than the nuptials.”

“I need to stop worrying about trying to control everything.” He looked over his sunglasses. “Let’s make a pact that we’ll do our best to do it all.”

Mel’s laughter bubbled up. “You’re incorrigible. And yes, we will do our best.”

He pretended to wipe his brow. “What a relief.” Deciding to stop worrying about everything, he turned up the radio and began to sing off key to a popular country song. Singing always put a smile on his face and in his heart. He glanced at Mel, who was mouthing the words.

“I can’t hear you…” he said in a sing-song voice.

She belted out the next line, and to his astonishment she sang like a professional.

“Oh, we are so finding a karaoke contest and entering.” He beamed. “We’ll enter you and I’m your moral support.”

“Oh no. I don’t sing without backup.” She flicked her hair and grinned. “After all, the greats always have eye candy on stage with them”—she ran her eyes over him—“and you qualify.”

He puffed up his chest a bit and laughed. “Glad you noticed.”

Melinda peered through the windshield as they parked in the small lot. She looked at Adam. “Can you believe this place? It’s like a mini Victorian mansion.”

Adam pushed open the door. “I can’t wait to see inside. Do you think it’s haunted?”

Melinda scoffed at the idea. “Do you believe in ghosts?”

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