Page 100 of The Matchmaker and the Marine

“You don’t need to do that.” Mel crossed the room and flipped the lock. “I trust you implicitly.”

Adam swallowed the lump that rose in his throat. He blew her a kiss before saying, “Good night, Mel.”

Chapter 36

It had been a long week since the wedding. Melinda was sitting on the sofa in her office, legs clad in eye-popping orange leggings and a deep brown tunic with sleeves of the same color orange. She was stretched out and her laptop propped open, a steaming cup of coffee within reach. With Christmas right around the corner, she wanted to catch up on work. She planned to take the week between Christmas and New Year’s off for some much-needed downtime. She smiled to herself. It would be time to spend with Adam too. After all he had suggested she take the time off and enjoy herself. He didn’t have any jobs scheduled, so the timing was perfect.

Under her leg her cell phone vibrated. When she pulled it out she answered quickly, “Hi, Adam.”

“Hi, Mel.” She smiled when she heard his deep, rich voice say her name and snuggled deeper into the sofa, work forgotten. “I was thinking about you and wanted to give you a call. How are the plans coming for your parents visit?”

“Funny you should ask. I just got off the phone with Mom and their flight was changed due to some weather issues. So instead of arriving tomorrow, they’ll be delayed two days.”

“I know how much you’re looking forward to them coming.”

Melinda picked up her coffee and took a sip. “I can’t wait for you to meet them. I told Mom all about you. Well, that I’m dating a very handsome, retired Marine.”

“Oh?” She smiled at the happy surprise in Adam’s voice. “Did she ask if I was someone special?” he teased.

Mel chuckled. “What do you think? She’s a mom.”

“How did she react to your news?”

“She said, and I quote, ‘That is wonderful, sweetheart. I’m so happy for you. Tell me a little something about him’.”

“And you told her I was devastatingly handsome and smart, right?” he quipped.

“I told her you were kind, and warm-hearted, funny too, and that I really care about you.” Melinda couldn’t help but laugh. “And I told her you have a beautiful smile.”

“That’s a little mushy, but I’m looking forward to meeting them. Hopefully they’ll like me and think I’m good enough for their daughter.”

A tapping on her office door interrupted her next comment. “Adam, I need to run someone’s at the door.”

“All right. I’ll see you tonight for dinner.”

She loved how the sound of his voice made her all warm inside. “I can’t wait. See you later.”

She tossed her cell to the sofa and set her coffee down. “Coming,” she called out.

The door swung open and a woman who looked vaguely familiar was standing on the bottom step. “Hi,” Melinda said.

“Mary.” The woman stuck out a slender gloved hand. “We met last summer at a picnic Will and Stacey had on the beach. I work at Will’s office.”

“Come in out of the cold and snow.” Melinda stepped to one side and Mary entered.

She pulled her dark brown leather gloves off and stuffed them into the pockets of her deep purple tailored coat, and then pulled a knitted cap from her head and did the same with it.

“I hope you don’t mind an impromptu visit.” Her faced paled. “Unless you’re busy, of course, and maybe I could book an appointment.”

Melinda stepped around her. “Not at all, have a seat. As you can see, I wasn’t planning on clients.” She waved her hand over her outfit.

Mary shrugged out of her coat, folded it in half and placed it over the back of the side chair. She wore a dark skirt and lavender sweater set with hose and knee-high black boots. Melinda held her surprise in check. Her long blonde ringlets were now short soft curls around her face, which seemed to enhance her blue eyes. The only two times she had seen Mary, she was dressed like a teenager, but now she looked like a woman dressed for success.

“Please have a seat. Would you like a cup of coffee?”

Mary sat and smoothed her hands over her skirt. Demurely crossing her legs, she smiled at Melinda. “Yes, thank you. Just cream if you have it. If not, black is fine.”

Melinda dropped a coffee pod into the machine and hit start. As the coffee brewed she pulled a carton from the tiny dorm-size refrigerator. She wondered if maybe there were two sides to Mary, the office persona and the weekend girl.

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