Page 48 of The Merry Matchmaker

“At least this was a hopeful dream,” said Frankie. “It beats the one where our dear departed cat was gnawing on her arm.”

“This latest one has as much a chance of happening as that.”

“I don’t know. When it comes to dreams, you and Mom both seem to have a gift. Remember the ones you had of Daddy?”

Stef shrugged. “I was a kid.”

“Who was still open to possibilities.” Stef had always been a positive, happy person. Frankie hated seeing her turning so cynical. “You can’t give up.”

“Because I’m going to meet Mr. Wonderful here in Carol?” Stef scoffed. “There are no Mr. Wonderfuls left in Carol. Well, other than Mitch. And Brock. Mom told me you guys went out.”

Thank you, blabbermouth Adele.“It’s not going anywhere,” Frankie said, and picked up her menu.

Stef reached across the table and lowered it. “It’s okay if it does. Really. You deserve to be happy.”

“So do you,” said Frankie.

“You’re right. Which is why I’m having chocolate cake for dessert, and I’m not sharing. I want the whole big piece for myself.”

Frankie laughed. “That’s fine with me.”

They gave the waitress their orders, then Frankie returned them to the subject of Stef’s love life. “Maybe you should try online dating again.”

Stef rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I saw how well that worked for Mitch.” She pointed a finger at her sister, reminding Frankie of their mom. “And don’t go sneaking and putting up my profile somewhere, or I will keep the present I got you for Christmas for myself. But back to you and Brock.”

“There is no me and Brock,” Frankie said. “I’m just meeting him for a drink.”

Stef studied her. “You know, I can’t blame him for falling for you. And I can’t blame Mitch for hanging around. You’ve got the biggest heart.”

“Oh, brother,” said Frankie, dismissing the compliment.

“No, it’s true. You’re like a peppermint-scented candle. You make a room better just by being in it.” Stef bit her lip and looked at her fancy china plate. “You’ve always done your best to try to make my life better. I’m sorry I was such a brat about the whole Brock thing.”

“We already got that taken care of, so stop. Anyway, if things didn’t work out with him, it’s because there’s someone better for you waiting down the road.”

Stef frowned. “The road is too darn long if you ask me. And what if there is nothing down the road? What if all there is ahead of me is a dead end?”

Frankie could see it all in her sister’s eyes—the regret over having given so much of herself to the wrong man, the frustration over not finding anyone, the fear that she never would.

She reached across the table and took Stef’s hand. “Don’t you go there. Don’t you dare. You are pretty and fun and smart. And sweet. Well, most of the time,” she added, which brought a reluctant smile from Stef. “I know there is someone wonderful in your future. I can feel it in my heart. You hang in there. He will show up. Meanwhile, we have chocolate cake,” she said, and that made Stef giggle.

They ate their tea sandwiches and every bit of that chocolate cake for dessert. Frankie picked up the bill for lunch, and Stef left, feeling better.

But Frankie worried that moment of chocolate-induced happiness wouldn’t last. If only she knew someone who would be perfect for Stef, if only she could find a way to help her sister get a fresh start on love for the new year.

Their town was not a man desert. There had to be someone, and even if Stef had given up looking, Frankie wasn’t going to.

Griff sat in the car line, waiting to pick Corky up from school promptly at five after three. He drummed his fingers on the wheel, trying to figure out the best way to handle the Santa situation. He finally decided there was only one thing to do.

Lie.

Well, sort of lie. A white lie. Okay, maybe it would be more gray than white, but it was the best solution he could think of.

He texted his sister.If Corky asks about Santa tonight, keep your mouth shut.

Yes, sir!came the smart-mouthed reply.

Another letter to Santa was going to get lost this year. Lost and trampled by reindeer. You had to watch those darned reindeer.

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