Page 91 of The Matchmaker and the Marine

He gave her a wink. “This is going to be quite a day.”

She couldn’t help but wonder what he might be thinking.

She noticed Molly and Tim were waiting near an archway. Molly called to them, “Hi, guys! Isn’t this the most amazing place you’ve ever seen?” She gazed at Tim. “And tonight, I’m marrying the love of my life.”

Tim tenderly kissed her lips and murmured something that Melinda was sure was sweet.

Adam clapped him on his back. “You guys are having the wedding of the year.”

Tim grinned. “No one is going to top this, especially since there’s only a couple of weeks left.”

Adam chuckled. “Timing is everything.”

Melinda turned to Molly and asked, “What do you need me to do?”

“Come see the table settings. They’re stunning and the flowers are spectacular.” She seemed to float on air. “The holiday season is the perfect time to get married. Built-in decorations that just need a tweak or two, and there you go.” Molly pointed to the candelabras that flanked either side of a table for two. “Can you picture them lit? We’ll dine in a romantic glow.”

“Molly, I don’t think the candlelight can add a thing. You’re glowing now.” Melinda gave her a one-armed hug. “What does your bouquet look like?”

She gushed, “White roses, with holly and ivy, tied with red satin ribbon entwined with white lace that matches my dress.”

“That is going to be beautiful.”

“Melinda, come with me a minute, I want to be serious.” She pulled out two chairs and Melinda sat down. Molly faced her and said, “The best thing that has ever happened to me is because of you. If Stacey and Will hadn’t signed up for It’s Just Coffee, they wouldn’t have met. That was the beginning of so many couples meeting, including Tim and me.”

Melinda clasped her hand. “I was doing what you hired me to do.”

“Yes, you were, but will you do something else for me?”

“If I can.”

She glanced in Adam’s direction. “I’m not sure what happened to your husband, but I have eyes. I see how Adam looks at you. He cares for you.”

“Molly, I don’t think we should be talking about me—today is your special day.” She didn’t want to tell Molly she had strong feelings for Adam. She just wasn’t sure what to do about them.

Molly’s eyes grew wide. “This is exactly the right time. You helped me find love. All I’m suggesting is that you give Adam a real chance. Take a long look at him. You might just find what you help so many others find, true happiness.” She clasped Melinda’s hand. “Please think about it.”

Melinda was at a loss for words. She nodded. “I will.”

Molly pulled her into a hug. “Let’s go find the guys and see if we can round up Stacey and Will. We have things to do.”

“We’d better get busy. I think Stacey and Will are going back to the inn to get changed when we leave,” Melinda said.

“Oh, you could have gotten ready here. There are plenty of rooms.” Molly giggled like a schoolgirl. “This place is huge.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll be back in plenty of time.” Melinda gave her a quick hug. “Besides I want to come up the driveway and walk through the doors, sort of pretending we’re in the gilded age of high society.”

Molly laughed. “Then by all means make an entrance.”

“Hey, I just thought of something—isn’t it bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the big moment?”

“Only if I’m wearing my wedding dress. Trust me, there is no way Tim is going to see me in that until the clock strikes six.”

Adam stood at the bottom of the stairs, mesmerized as Melinda glided down the staircase. She had carefully arranged her hair on top of her head, and long, sparkly pearl earrings gently swayed from her ears. A strand of pearls with a teardrop gem graced her throat. Her dark green dress moved as if it was made of silk and hugged to her curves in all the right places. Around her shoulders she wore a black stole. She walked carefully on high-heels, and as she approached the stair with the troublesome edge, Adam took a step toward her.

He held out his hand. “You look gorgeous.” He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “You smell great too.”

She smiled and ran her gaze from the tips of his shoes to his eyes. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

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