Page 19 of A Very Merry Matchup
“Right. Nana. I’m picking up Nana?”
“You don’t mind taking care of the baskets, do you,Beau?” Cecilia says, elbowing Rob in the side. “I’m sure the stores still have their donations ready, so you’d just need to swing by and pick everything up. You can borrow the truck. Won’t take long to put the baskets together and get them delivered now that the snow’s slowing down.”
“Sure. I can handle the baskets. Unless you’d rather I go pick up Nana? Why does Nana need—”
“Sounds like we’ve got it all worked out,” Cecilia says, giving her hands a loud clap. “Rob will get Nana. Beau and Ivy will handle the baskets.”
“That’s fine with me,” I say, getting up from the couch. I’m not completely sure what we’re doing, but I’d rather make myself useful than watch a movie I’ve already seen dozens of times. “Unless you need me to stay here and keep an eye on the dogs.”
“Nope. Nope-nope-nope. You go with Beau. I’ll handle the dogs,” Cecilia says, smiling like we’ve already given her the best Christmas present she could imagine. “I can always have Crystal pop over if I need any help.”
“Crystal?” I ask. That name rings a weird bell.
“Our next-door neighbor,” Beau answers, frowning when he realizes Pinky Collar has the gnome ornament in her mouth again. “She actually told me last night that she’s more than happy to come over and dog-sit for a bit if we need her.”
“Exactly,” his mom says, heading back into the kitchen.“So you guys shoo-shoo-shoo. I’ve got everything under control.”
Crystal.Now I know why the name rings a bell. She’s the neighbor girl who called about Beau while he was in the hospital. Poor girl asked me to deliver a heartfelt message about her eternal passion and undying love for Beau if he ever reached the point where he might be dying. Thankfully that message never had to be delivered, but oh, yes. I remember Crystal.
“Why are you smiling?” Beau says, wrestling the gnome ornament away from Pinky Collar.
“Can’t a girl just smile?”Crystal and Beau, sitting in a tree...
“Not the way you’re smiling.”
K-I-S-S-I-N-G.
“You’re freaking me out. Stop that.” He points at my face, then places the mangled ornament back on the tree.
I can’t stop. Crystal sounded so sweet. I almost wanted Beau to start dying, just so I could relay her impassioned message of eternal love. “Will I get a chance to meet her?”
“Who? Crystal? I don’t know. Maybe.” He gives me a suspicious look before shrugging it off. “I’m going to take a quick shower. After that, will you be ready to play Santa Claus?”
I rub my hands together. More like I’ll be ready to play matchmaker.
Sounds like I’ve got a chance to redeem myself when it comes to setting Beau up, and this time I’m getting it right.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Nurses named Ivy and chemistry lessons. These are a few of my favorite things.
Beau
The truck rumbles and vibrates, still needing a few more minutes to warm up. “Thanks for coming along.”
“Of course,” Ivy says, buckling her seat belt over her heavy blue winter coat. When she tugs her mittens back on, she’s still smiling that mysterious smile.
“All right. What gives? You’re up to something.”
Her smile widens as she hits me with a wide-eyed innocent look I don’t believe for a second. “I’m just happy to be spreading a little Christmas cheer.”
“It’s Crystal, isn’t it?”
Her jaw drops a little.
“I knew it.” Except I don’t know it. What does Ivy want with Crystal? And then it smacks me like a snowball to the face. “You think you can set us up, don’t you?” I tap her chin so that her gaping mouth closes. “Don’t even think about it.”
“She’s perfect for you.”
