Page 123 of The Merry Matchmaker

A little thrill of excitement raced across her chest as she answered.

“Are you still with your family?” he asked.

“No, just got home. How about you?”

“We’ve done it all,” Griff said. “Dinner at Grandma’s, presents.” He hesitated a moment. “Santa came.”

Stef was half afraid to ask, but she did anyway. “How was that?”

“Corky liked his toys, but he was mad that Santa hadn’t come through with a mom. I’m not blaming you anymore, honest,” he added. “He’ll get over it eventually. Kids have a hard time taking no for an answer.”

She didn’t know what to say, other than “I’m sorry.”

There was a moment of silence, followed by, “Oh, well. It’s over for another year.”

How sad to be glad that Christmas was over. “Maybe next year will be better.”

“I’m hoping,” he said. “So, look, I might be rushing things, but I’m wondering if you want to meet for lunch tomorrow. I’ve got a light day at work, and I’m hoping you do, too.”

“I think I can manage lunch,” said Stef.

“Good. How about one at The Salad Bowl?”

“One,” she agreed.

She smiled as they ended the call. Last Christmas had sucked big-time, and the new year had held no promise. What a difference a year made!

December 26, Elinor was late to work. “I’m sorry I’m late,” she said to Frankie. “I just stopped by Handy’s to see how Mitch is doing. He’s all better now. I’m going to surprise him and take dinner over to him tonight.”

“I’m glad he’s back.”And I’m going to surprise him first, thought Frankie. If he was well enough to come to work, he was well enough for a long overdue talk.

Adele came in as Frankie was leaving. “Where are you going?” she asked.

“I need something at the hardware store,” Frankie said.

“Yes, you do. It’s about time you did something about it,” said Adele.

Brock was at the help center, conferring with a man in worn jeans, a parka and a ball cap that said Hammer Man Inc.

“Where’s Mitch?” she asked.

“Every babe in town wants to see Mitch today,” observed Hammer Man. “What kind of cologne is he wearing?”

Just then Mitch showed up. He smiled at Frankie. “Hey there, I was about to call you.”

She frowned at him, grabbed his arm and moved him an aisle away. “Before or after seeing Elinor?”

“What?”

“We need to have a talk,” she said, and dragged him farther down the aisle. “What is going on with you and her?”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about you crawling all over town with Elinor on the pub crawl. And probably crawling all over her afterward.”

He blinked in surprise.

“And you watchedCop Stopwith her!” Frankie accused, her voice rising.

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