Page 69 of The Merry Matchmaker

“Nobody can,” he protested.

“You’re wrong there,” she said. Ike had promised to love her till the day he died, and he had. She’d known he was the only man for her, and he had been. “I bet those two women could use some company. Go join them. Tell them you were just keeping me company until my date arrived.”

He scowled. “Come on, Frankie, don’t do this.”

“I have to,” she said. “Before things get all tangled and then ugly. This way we can still stay friends.”

He shook his head in disgust. “TheFword.”

“Nothing wrong with theFword.” She stood and smiled down at him. “Thank you for the ego boost, for the kindness and for those kisses.”

He didn’t smile back. In fact, he was pouting. Being a man, he’d call it brooding. Ah well, he probably wouldn’t be brooding for long.

She left the restaurant, got to her car and called Viola. “You got the Hallmark channel on?”

“Of course.”

“Good. I’m picking up a pizza, then I’ll be right over.”

Pizza and Hallmark with her bestie worked wonders. And while she watched the couple have their meet-cute, followed by trouble but ending with smiles and a kiss, she’d remember that she had, once in her lifetime, lived a Hallmark movie.

There would be no sequel.

11

With the exception of Thanksgiving weekend, Natalie had Saturdaysoff, so Frankie was surprised and wary to see her daughter entering the shop on Saturday. She found herself holding her breath. Was she still Doo-Doo Mom?

No. Natalie smiled at her as she came up to where Frankie stood at the cash register, enjoying a rare lull in business with Adele and Elinor.

Frankie let out the breath she’d been holding. “Am I forgiven?” she asked.

“Yeah. I know you meant well, Mom. But you still should have asked me.”

“You’re right,” Frankie admitted. “I was worried about you guys, and I wanted to help.”

“I know. You already help by letting me work here part-time.”

“But the shop’s my dream, not yours,” Frankie protested. “I want to see you spread your wings and fly.”

Natalie frowned. “My wings are fine. And who says I can’t share your dream? I love the shop and the good vibes here, and I love making candy, but small batches work fine for now.”

Frankie nodded slowly. “For now. Down the road you could expand, you know—start selling on the internet. You could become the next Godiva.”

Natalie groaned. “Aaaah, not again. Gram Gram, make her stop.”

Adele held up a hand in front of Frankie’s face and said, “Stop,” which made Elinor giggle.

“Et tu, Elinor?” Frankie said in disgust.

Elinor sobered. “No. I really appreciate how much you’ve been doing for me.”

“Mom can be inspiring,” said Natalie. “And you know I’m voting for you for Mrs. Claus, Elinor,” she added.

Elinor smiled and thanked her, and Frankie felt like saying,See? Some people appreciate my help. But she wisely kept her mouth shut. Instead, she asked, “Where’s my darling grandson?”

“He and Daddy are working on their LEGO town.” Natalie held up two silvery gift bags with red tissue paper peeping out of them. “I just stopped by to deliver a special present to you two.” She handed them over to Frankie and Adele.

Frankie reached inside and pulled out a red T-shirt. Under an image of an unopened present, it said Merry Christmas from Next Year’s Grandkid.

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