Page 100 of The Merry Matchmaker

“Oh.” He nodded, taking that in. “Frankie, I hope you’re okay with me seeing your mom. I should have asked your permission.”

“No, you shouldn’t have,” Adele said.

“That’s sweet of you, but Mom’s right. You certainly don’t need to. You’re both adults. I’m happy she’s found someone wonderful to hang out with.”

“I meant what I said last night,” he went on. Then he smiled at Adele. “If you don’t mind me stealing your mother for a while, we’re going over to Treasured Jewels to look at rings.”

“Santa Walk sale,” Adele added.

“I think that sounds wonderful,” Frankie said, and hugged him. “Take her and don’t come back. And welcome to the family. Now you’ll have something to show off Christmas Eve,” she said to her mother.

“And someone,” Adele added, and smiled at Mr. Bellagamba.

Happily ever after, thought Frankie as they left the shop hand in hand.

It was a joy to see her mother so happy. If only things could have worked out as well for Stef.

What a horrible coincidence that her coffee shop dream man had turned out to be the angry father who’d caused trouble for her at the paper. The meeting that could have been so cute had been nothing but ugly. So disappointing.

For Frankie. Stef was too angry to be disappointed.

Frankie understood that hurting people often hurt others, and it was obvious this man was hurting. It was too bad it had spilled over onto Stef. That romantic candidate was out of the race. Stef didn’t need to take any more emotional hits than she already had.

Customers began to drift back into the shop. Soon it was full, and Frankie was swamped and wondering what she’d been thinking to let her mother off the hook for the rest of the day.

“Sorry for the wait,” she told the line of people ready to purchase holiday goodies on sale. “My best employee just got engaged, and she’s off ring shopping.”

“That pretty young girl who works here?” asked one woman.

“Elinor? No, she’s busy being Mrs. Claus. My mom’s getting married.”

One of their regulars piped up. “Adele?”

Frankie nodded.

“Good for her. And what a great way to celebrate Christmas.”

Indeed, it was.

Finally, closing time arrived. The hot cider had long run out, and there wasn’t a candy cane anywhere in sight. Holiday Happiness had done a brisk business. Now Frankie was ready to relax.

She turned the sign on the door to Closed, locked up and texted Mitch.Ready to pub crawl?

Maybe Stef would like to join them. It would probably be good for her to end the day on a happy note.

Starting right now with Elinor.

Elinor!Elinor?Frankie texted.

Mrs. Claus. She was expecting it.

Well, Frankie wasn’t. She frowned. Where are you? I’ll catch up with you.

Sips, came the reply.

Sips was another new hot spot in town, a wine bar that specialized in high-end wines and charcuterie boards. Frankie could go for something to eat. She wished she’d gotten back her red dress from Elinor, but oh well. She hurried home and changed into jeans and a red sweater and her favorite boots, then grabbed her winter jacket and her Santa hat and went out the door, looking forward to enjoying a glass of white wine and recapping the day with her Mrs. Claus and Mitch.

Holiday lights were on all over town, and the predicted snow was lazily making its way to the ground. Let it snow. Frankie had all-wheel drive.

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