Page 54 of The Matchmaker Club

10

Honorary Matchmaker

Beast wasn’t in the driveway, but Lainey’s truck Melvin was. I hadn’t even seen it when Austin and I parked at Fanny’s Pond. My grandmother was out back under the shade of the oak doing her tai chi. I knew better than to bother her.

Lainey came into the kitchen with a bag of raw wood and her carving knife. “Hey, did you talk to Lucas? Seemed pretty upset when he left.”

“He did?”

“A bit more intense than usual.” She grabbed her portable frozen mug out of the freezer and filled it with water. “He’s relaxed a little more since he’s been staying here, but he seemed beside himself this morning. Did something happen?”

I shrugged. “Not that I know of. Maybe he got a call about work or something.”

She sipped her water. “Maybe.”

“Um, could I ask you something?”

She set down her water. “Sure, what is it?”

“Why don’t you ever go on a date with Bill?”

Her cheeks reddened, and she fumbled with her bag. “He never asked me to.”

“Do you like him?”

She smiled. “Bill’s handsome, a bit rugged, but I like that.”

“What else do you like about him?”

She set the carving knife and bag on the counter and took another gulp of water. “I like that he doesn’t give two cents about what anyone thinks in this town.”

“I like that about him too.”

She laughed. “Bill’s a good man. Javier too. They’ve helped us out a lot through the years.”

I went to the cupboard and grabbed a glass. “They have. We should invite them over for dinner sometime. You know, to say thank you for all they do for us.”

Lainey leaned against the counter. “We’ve never asked before, have we?”

“No, you would only bring them your homemade bread and jams as thank you gifts.”

“Huh.”

I smiled and left Lainey to her thinking. Hopefully, Bill would be a dinner guest soon.

The doorbell rang and Charlie waved through the side window. I opened the door to see that he had his special Matchmaker briefcase in hand.

Oh no.

“Our meeting’s today?”

He shook his head. “You forgot to check the box.”

“I’ll be right back.” I grabbed my keys and ran to Blush. “Grandma’s out back doing tai chi. Make yourself at home,” I yelled.

I drove to Fanny’s Pond, but not as fast I really wanted to go. Hank and Frank weren’t too fond of speeding on “God’s resting day.”

My heart nearly came up my throat when I saw Beast sitting in the parking lot. Lucas was here? I didn’t remember ever telling him about this place.