The Matchmaker and the Marine

Chapter 1

Melinda flipped her planner shut after drawing a heart next to the two names on the page on the notepaper. Another success. The strains of the “Wedding March” played by a string quartet filled the small flower-filled chapel. Guests rose from their seats to watch the petite bride glide down the aisle toward her handsome groom.

Across the aisle in a pew, a tall, well-built man with blonde hair cropped military style and molten brown eyes locked on hers. He gave Melinda a half nod before his gaze followed the bride. The pastor’s deep voice filled the room as he asked everyone to take their seats. He then turned to the couple to perform the ceremony.

After the newly married couple kissed, Melinda followed other guests in the receiving line to the bride and groom. She beamed. “Stacey and Will, it was a beautiful ceremony.”

Stacey was radiant. Will’s arm was curled around his new wife, holding her close to his side.

“Melinda, this day wouldn’t have been possible without you.” Stacey lovingly gazed at Will. “Thank you for introducing us.”

Melinda kissed her cheek. “It was my pleasure.”

Will lifted Stacey’s hand to his lips, grazing her ring finger. “I will tell all my single friends if they’re looking for love to give you a call.” His eyes twinkled. “You certainly have a knack for matchmaking.”

“You two made my job easy.” She looked over her shoulder. “You have more guests to greet, but I’ll see you during the reception.”

She strolled down the brick walkway to her car, content to see the love between Stacey and Will. Just as it was meant to be.

After making the short drive to the country club, Melinda parked in the crowded lot. As she crossed the parking area to the reception hall she daydreamed of how nice it would be to take off her pumps and walk barefoot. She reached for the brass knob on the carved wood door. Before she could turn the knob, it burst open. She took a step back. Her heel caught a crack in the stone step. She began to fall backward when strong hands caught her and held on tight.

A deep voice next to her ear said, “It’s okay, I’ve got you.”

Melinda looked up into warm brown eyes. It was the man from the chapel.

“Um, thank you.” She smoothed her hand over her simple navy-blue dress and then pushed a curl behind her ear. “I’m not sure what happened.”

“It looks like your heel got caught.”

She gave him a small smile. “It’s a good thing you were there to catch me.”

With a slight stiff bow, he said, “Adam Bell, at your service, ma’am.”

His face held little emotion, almost formal, she thought. People strolled past them into the building, but Melinda couldn’t help but notice he carried himself with a distinct military bearing. Unsure if he was being old-fashioned or teasing her, she said, “We should go inside.”

He crooked his arm and said, “I’d be happy to escort you safely through the door.”

With a small laugh Melinda placed her hand on his arm. In a soft southern drawl, she said, “Thank you, kind sir.”

“So, tell me, are you a friend of Stacey or Will?” he asked.

“I guess you could say both.” She looked at him. “I’m Melinda Phillips.”

His eyes grew wide. “You’re the matchmaker?”

“I am.” As they stepped through the doorway, she withdrew her hand. They made their way to the table with the seating chart. Melinda found her card and saw she was at table six. Adam picked up his card.

“I’m at table eight.” He glanced at her card. “It’s too bad we’re not seated at the same one. I don’t know a lot of people. I haven’t lived here long.”

She looked around the room. “I’ve lived here for a few years and everyone is really nice.”

“Good to know,” Adam said with a smile. “Can I buy you a drink?”

“Thank you, and then I can introduce you to the gang.” Melinda strolled toward the bar. Adam looked around and trailed after her. She understood his reticence. It was hard to get acquainted with a new group of people, especially when they seemed to be really tight knit. She still remembered what it had felt like when she moved to Chester. She fell in love with the small shore town and she had found the people in Connecticut weren’t that much different from Pennsylvania where she lived previously. Heck, they were a lot like her friends back in Beaufort, South Carolina where she had spent most of her summers as a kid.

“Melinda!” One of the bridesmaids rushed over to hug her. “Wasn’t it a beautiful wedding?”

With her glass of wine temporarily on hold, Melinda said, “Molly.” She gave her a squeeze. “You look beautiful.”

Molly stepped back and gave Adam the once over. She kissed him on the cheek. “Don’t you look handsome today in your dark suit? And just look at that lavender tie, spiffy.”

Adam grinned at her. “If I didn’t try to match the wedding colors a little bit, Stacey would have my head.”

Melinda watched as Adam and Molly shared a laugh. It seemed Adam already knew a few people.

Adam watched Melinda accept a glass of wine from the bartender and wandered toward the open French doors. She was dressed in a simple blue dress with polka-dotted heels that made her seem taller than her average height and showcased her legs to their best advantage. He appreciated that she looked fit, a nice hourglass shape. She had just the right amount of curves, at least in his opinion.

Molly had introduced him to every person within a twenty-foot radius. Now it was time to escape for a few minutes and maybe he could talk with, the aloof and beautiful, Melinda Phillips.

“I see you have a glass of wine.” Adam said.

Melinda whirled around. Her lips formed a large O. “You startled me.”

He half-turned. “I’m sorry to intrude. Would you like me to leave?”

With a slow shake of her head, she smiled. “No, gosh no. I was taking a breather.” She looked toward the guests gathering inside the dining room. “Everyone seems to be in high spirits. Just as it should be at a wedding.”

“Do I detect a note of melancholy?” He picked up a small plate and stabbed a square of cheese, then worked his way around the appetizer table.

“Not at all. I love weddings.”

He handed her the plate. “Let me guess, its hard being the single girl in a room full of couples.” She accepted the plate with a gracious smile. Adam continued, “I get it too, as the single guy. There is at least one well-meaning person out there who has already said she’d fix me up with someone’s cousin.” He tried to keep his voice light, but he knew it was bound to happen sooner or later.

Melinda laughed. It sounded musical to Adam, and he had to wonder why her left hand was without jewelry except for a simple thin band on her ring finger. But was she single?

Casually she asked, “And do you want to be set up?” She nibbled on a celery stick.

He couldn’t help but notice her eyes were an interesting shade of green, almost like the waters of the Atlantic in midsummer, with hints of gold and blue. She tucked a stray copper colored curl behind her ear.

“Adam?” She raised a brow.

“Oh, sorry.” He gulped down a drink of his beer. “I was wondering how you got into the matchmaking business.”

Softly she said, her eyes holding his captive, “I love helping people find that special person who adds sparkle and a sense of completeness to their lives.”

He teased, “Is that on your business card?”

“You got me.” She laughed. “But it really can be that simple.” She pointed to the banquet room. “The newly married couple has arrived. We should go back inside.”

“I’ll follow you.” Adam and Melinda stepped into the hub of activity. The lead singer of the band was warming up the crowd by introducing the members of the bridal party.

Finally, he said, “It is my pleasure to introduce the brand-new Mr. and Mrs. Benson.”

Whistles and applause filled the room as the couple sashayed their way to the center of the hardwood floor to have their first dance. As they twirled, Adam could see what Melinda had said—they both sparkled as they gazed into each other’s eyes. With a stab of longing, Anita briefly crossed his mind, but he refused to think about her today. He leaned down to rub his knee, a lingering reminder of the past and the chance he was taking to start over.

As the song concluded, clinking glasses urged the couple to kiss. Adam found his way to table eight and waved to Melinda across the room. She waved back and turned to speak to another guest.

Molly slipped into the chair next to him. “Are you having a good time?”

He nodded and sipped his beer. “I am, and you?”

She gushed, “I love weddings, and since Melinda moved to town, I swear the number of happy events have skyrocketed.” She pointed to a man in a tux talking to Will. “Tim and I were introduced by Melinda. We’ve been dating for almost six months.”

“I didn’t realize that’s how you met Will’s brother.”

“Using Melinda was the best decision I”—she gazed lovingly in Tim’s direction—“we ever made.” Tim waved to Molly. “Looks like I’m needed. Toast time. Tim and I are at your table, so we’ll be back shortly.”

Adam half-stood when Molly hopped up. She certainly had a lot of energy as he watched her sail across the dance floor to Tim’s side.

Tim tapped a knife against the stem of the wineglass. “Excuse me.”

The chatter died down.

“On behalf of Will and my new sister, Stacey, I’d like to thank you for sharing this amazing day with our family and close friends.”

He paused. “I’d like to propose a toast to Stacey and Will.” He turned to look at the couple and in a loud, clear voice he said, “There was a time when I wondered if my older brother, and old being the operative word”—he grinned at Will—“would ever find a woman to stand by his side as he navigates through the ever-changing waters of life. Stacey is just that woman. Not only does she love sailing and spicy food as much as Will does, but she loves my brother with all her heart.” He raised his glass a little higher and he said, “To Stacey and Will.”

Echoes around the room said, “To Stacey and Will.”

The newlyweds entwined arms and sipped pink champagne. After a few more toasts, the bandleader encouraged everyone to enjoy the buffet. Adam’s eyes drifted to Melinda’s table. Her chair was empty. Glancing around the room, he didn’t see her anywhere. Had she snuck out while the toasts were happening? When Will and Stacey got back from their honeymoon, he’d get the low down on the matchmaker.

Melinda took one last glance over her shoulder. The reception was underway and it was the perfect opportunity to slip away, unnoticed. Swinging her small beaded handbag, she strolled to the car. Another happy couple would have the chance to spend their lives with their true love. Twisting the slim gold band on her ring finger, Melinda smiled; it was just like her life with John. She felt blessed to have been well loved, and Melinda had loved her husband with all her heart in return. She couldn’t wait to get home and check her email to see who might be next on the road to happily ever after.