Page 136 of The Merry Matchmaker

Frankie plunged right in. “William, it’s Frankie. Have you thought any more about my suggestion?”

“Well, yes, actually, I have been thinking about it.”

“Good. Then I think you should close up for a few minutes and hustle on over here while my staff is still around.” What was left of it. “You have to give people some notice when you’re planning a party.”

“I was going to put a sign in the window,” William said.

Frankie opted for blunt. “Elinor might not see the sign. And that’s so impersonal. This is the perfect opportunity for you to show her more of who you are.”

There was a long silence.

“Oh, honestly, William, I can tell you like her. Anyone with eyes can. Get over here and do something about it,” Frankie commanded, exasperated.

“I don’t know if she’s interested in me,” he said, sounding panicked.

“No, you don’t, because you’ve never actually invited her to something. William, opportunity will knock, but it won’t stand at your door forever. I think Elinor is a really sweet woman, don’t you?”

“I do,” he said, finally with some muscle behind his words.

“Well, then, I suggest you not delay. We’re going to be closing very soon.”

“All right. Thanks for the heads-up,” he said. “I’ll see you in a bit.”

A bit? Forty-five minutes later, Frankie gave up. She couldn’t risk Elinor’s neck trying to save her heart. She texted Mitch that she was leaving.

Frankie and Elinor were on their way out the door when William finally hurried up to them. With his skinny frame inside a dark peacoat and a red scarf wrapped around his neck, he could have passed for one of the red-ribboned streetlights along Main Street. He was carrying a book-shaped package wrapped in red foil. That package was probably the reason he’d taken so long coming over.

“Elinor, I’m glad I caught you,” he said, holding it out to her. “I meant to give this to you before Christmas.”

If he had, he obviously hadn’t worked up the nerve. It made a great excuse to talk to her though.Good job, William.

Elinor took it, looking surprised. “Thank you, William.”

“It’s a special issue ofThe Greatest Gift. That’s the story the movieIt’s a Wonderful Lifewas based on.”

“I’m afraid I don’t have anything for you,” she said.

“I didn’t expect anything. I just wanted you to have it.”

Good, good, now ask her out.

“Well, I’ll be sure to read it,” Elinor said. “I do like to read.”

So do you. Tell her!

“Frankie,” called Mitch.

Frankie turned to see him coming their way.

Elinor saw him, too. Frankie could tell by how deep the pink in her cheeks had suddenly gotten. “I have to go,” she told William.

Of course, her humiliation was still too raw. The last thing she’d want would be to stand on a snowy sidewalk and make small talk with the man she’d made a fool of herself over.

Elinor didn’t go the extra few feet to the crosswalk, which would have put her in Mitch’s path. Instead, she rushed out into the street, not looking. Not seeing the car sliding toward her.

21

“Elinor! Look out!” shrieked Frankie.

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