Page 15 of The Merry Matchmaker

He nodded and gave the counter a tap. “Okay, deal.”

“Good. And now I need to get some light bulbs for Adele.”

She forgot about the light bulbs at the sight of the man who came around the corner of the plumbing supplies aisle.

Mitch summoned him. “Brock, come on over and meet Frankie.”

He was taller than Mitch and had Jack Reacher–size shoulders and pecs that filled out his brown Handy’s Hardware polo shirt beautifully. Brown hair, gorgeous brown eyes, and bonus, he looked about Stef’s age. Was this a gift from Santa or what?

“Hi, Frankie. Brock Adams,” he said with a high wattage smile, and shook her hand with his big one. Big hands, big...heart. Stef would love this man.

“Hi,” she said. “I hear you’re new to Carol.”

He nodded. “Yep.”

“Lucky us. You look like a great addition. I hope you’re liking it here.”

“I am now,” he said. “Mitch, you didn’t tell me you knew a model.”

The man had a gift for making a woman feel good. Was he as nice as he seemed? She smiled at him. “Flattery, what everyone wants for Christmas.”

“Just speaking the truth.”

“Oh, you are good,” she said. “Say, I’m having Mitch and a couple other people over for dinner tomorrow. How’d you like to join us? I make amazing pasties.”

“I’d like that. Whatever they are.”

“Trust me, you’ll like them,” Frankie assured him.

“I’m sure I will,” Brock said, and his smile got bigger.

“You sure you don’t have plans?” asked Mitch.

“Nope. Don’t know anybody to make plans with. Yet,” Brock added, still smiling at Frankie.

“Well, after tomorrow you will,” she said. “We’ll make sure of that. Mitch can tell you where I live. Both of you come over at seven.”

“Seven,” Brock confirmed. “Thanks for the invite.”

“Glad to have you,” she said.

She texted Stef as she headed for the door.Don’t make plans for tomorrow. Dinner at my house with a new hunk. You will love him.

New hunk????

Mitch’s manager. Perfect for you.

You’ve seen him in person?

Just talked to him. Trust me.

Not after your mess with Mitch.Stef added a laughing emoticon.

Ha ha, Frankie texted back, then put her phone in her jacket pocket.

When Frankie walked back in the store, Elinor was handing a customer her purchase in a bright red Holiday Happiness bag. Adele was on the other side of the shop, demonstrating a mechanical musical bear in a Santa hat to a little girl who looked to be around five.

The little girl clapped and jumped up and down as the bear played “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”

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