Page 25 of The Merry Matchmaker

“I can do that.”

“Speaking of Stef. What happened at dinner last night? I called her before I came here to see how it went, and she said I should ask you.”

“Things didn’t go according to plan,” said Frankie.

“They rarely do, and you should know that by now.”

“Well, Stef didn’t do anything to help. I had the perfect man there.”

“Perfect, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. Anyway, I’m not sure she’s ready for another relationship yet, even if she is dating.”

“Well, then she should quit looking and quit whining.”

Adele pointed a finger at Frankie. “And you should quit trying to meddle.”

“I wasn’t meddling. I was helping. She wanted me to, and then when it didn’t work out, she blamed me.”

“Darling, I know you’ve always been a caring big sister, sometimes even second mother, and there have been times when Stef really needed help.”

“Yeah, like rescuing her from Richard.” Getting Stef deprogramed and away from that garbage can with legs had been a team effort involving not only Frankie, but Adele and Stef’s editor, Camille, as well.

“But she’s a grown woman, and she can sort out her own love life.”

“So far she’s not doing a very good job of it.”

“When the time is right, and she’s ready, she will,” Adele said, and left the back room, ending the conversation.

Frankie followed her out to see that Natalie had arrived. She’d ditched her coat behind the counter and was ringing up a sale. Natalie sometimes came in a little late, also, but Frankie cut her lots of slack. Getting a child ready for school while getting ready for work was no easy feat, especially when part of that involved carefully boxing and loading specially made candy.

Two new customers were browsing the shelves, and Elinor was handing over the ornament she’d shown William, now nestled safely in a cute little red box inside a small Holiday Happiness shopping bag.

“It will look great on your tree,” Elinor said to him.

“It will look great on someone’s,” he said as he took the bag from her.

“William, I think we’re going to have to come up with some kind of loyalty rewards program just for you,” Frankie said to him, and his cheeks turned russet.

“No need. I’m happy to be loyal. Anyway, your mother gives me plenty of business. By the way, I’m saving a copy of the new holiday rom-com by Melissa Ferguson for you, Natalie.”

“How about my book?” asked Adele.

He nodded, and Frankie could have sworn that russet turned a little darker. “Got that, too.”

“What book is that, Gram Gram?” Natalie asked as William hurried out the door.

“Santa’s Naughty List.It got four hot peppers on the Red Hot Reads site.”

“Sorry I asked,” said Natalie.

“Romance is good at any age, and the young don’t have a corner on love,” Adele informed her. “Or hunks,” she said as the bell over the door jingled and Brock walked in.

“Looking for something?” Adele called.

“More like someone,” he replied, and came over.

Frankie made the introductions, then, hoping to prime the pump (but not meddling), said, “I bet I know why you’re here.” He’d obviously decided he wanted to get to know Stef better. Good.

“Yeah?”

---