Page 14 of The Merry Matchmaker

“‘Cupid Takes a Holiday’?”

The sisters snickered until Stef turned serious. “I swear, I’ve met every loser in Carol and Pine Valley in the last few months.” The server brought their cupcakes. “Consolation cupcakes,” she cracked with a frown, and took a big bite of hers.

“Maybe Santa thinks you need more time to heal,” Frankie suggested.

“Maybe I’ll be healing for the rest of my life,” Stef said. She shook her head. “I should never have stayed so long.”

“At least you left.”

Stef picked up the rest of her cupcake and crumbled it onto her plate. “Love is a crapshoot. At least you got lucky.”

Yes, Frankie had. Ike had been a good man with a big heart. They’d both been big on family—she because she had one, he because his had been fractured and he’d always wanted a solid one. They’d enjoyed sports and entertaining, especially during the holidays. Super Bowl parties had always been a highlight of the new year. So much in common, so much in love. How she missed him!

“Oh, well, no point resurrecting the past. All you get is zombies,” said Stef, bringing Frankie back to the present. “This time around, I’m looking for a man who will give me credit for having some brains and who won’t spend every dime we have as well as ones we don’t on himself.”

“If at first you don’t succeed, date, date again,” said Frankie.

Eventually Stef was sure to find someone who deserved her. And Frankie was going to be watching carefully to make sure she got exactly that.

They finished their dessert, and Stef announced she had to get back to work. “Got to get the first batch of letters to Santa up online before end of day.”

That meant Frankie had to quit stalling and go to Handy’s Hardware and apologize to Mitch. She picked up the tab, then followed her sister out of the restaurant and dawdled her way to the hardware store.

She found Mitch at the help island, showing a customer a YouTube video on his phone about replacing a garbage disposal.

“This sounds like a pain,” said the man, who was dressed in designer jeans and an expensive-looking suede jacket.

“You can do it,” Mitch assured him. “You’ve got everything you need.” He pointed to the pile of tools and parts assembled on the countertop. “But if you get stuck, give me a call.”

“Will do. Thanks, Mitch,” said the man as he gathered up his purchases to take to the checkout register.

“No problem,” said Mitch with a smile. The smile fell away as Frankie approached. “Need something?” he asked politely.

“Yes, as a matter of fact, I do. I need you to not be mad at me.”

He made a face, sighed. “Shit, Frankie.”

“I know, I know. I should have asked you first.”

“It would have been nice.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t. I won’t do it again, I promise. Let me make it up to you. Come on over for dinner tomorrow night. I’ll invite Stef, and we’ll make it a party. And Elinor. She needs to get out more. You can have a regular harem.”

“Just what I don’t need.” He leaned on the counter. “What are you planning on serving?”

“How about pasties? Your fav.” If those little meat and potato pies didn’t do the trick, nothing would.

He shrugged. “What else?”

“Sidecars?” she added to seal the deal.

“I like that drink. What’s for dessert?”

“What would you like?”

“Humble pie.”

“I thought I just ate a big helping of that now,” she said, and ventured a smile. “How about peppermint pie?”

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