Chapter 36
It had been a long week since the wedding. Melinda was sitting on the sofa in her office, legs clad in eye-popping orange leggings and a deep brown tunic with sleeves of the same color orange. She was stretched out and her laptop propped open, a steaming cup of coffee within reach. With Christmas right around the corner, she wanted to catch up on work. She planned to take the week between Christmas and New Year’s off for some much-needed downtime. She smiled to herself. It would be time to spend with Adam too. After all he had suggested she take the time off and enjoy herself. He didn’t have any jobs scheduled, so the timing was perfect.
Under her leg her cell phone vibrated. When she pulled it out she answered quickly, “Hi, Adam.”
“Hi, Mel.” She smiled when she heard his deep, rich voice say her name and snuggled deeper into the sofa, work forgotten. “I was thinking about you and wanted to give you a call. How are the plans coming for your parents visit?”
“Funny you should ask. I just got off the phone with Mom and their flight was changed due to some weather issues. So instead of arriving tomorrow, they’ll be delayed two days.”
“I know how much you’re looking forward to them coming.”
Melinda picked up her coffee and took a sip. “I can’t wait for you to meet them. I told Mom all about you. Well, that I’m dating a very handsome, retired Marine.”
“Oh?” She smiled at the happy surprise in Adam’s voice. “Did she ask if I was someone special?” he teased.
Mel chuckled. “What do you think? She’s a mom.”
“How did she react to your news?”
“She said, and I quote, ‘That is wonderful, sweetheart. I’m so happy for you. Tell me a little something about him’.”
“And you told her I was devastatingly handsome and smart, right?” he quipped.
“I told her you were kind, and warm-hearted, funny too, and that I really care about you.” Melinda couldn’t help but laugh. “And I told her you have a beautiful smile.”
“That’s a little mushy, but I’m looking forward to meeting them. Hopefully they’ll like me and think I’m good enough for their daughter.”
A tapping on her office door interrupted her next comment. “Adam, I need to run someone’s at the door.”
“All right. I’ll see you tonight for dinner.”
She loved how the sound of his voice made her all warm inside. “I can’t wait. See you later.”
She tossed her cell to the sofa and set her coffee down. “Coming,” she called out.
The door swung open and a woman who looked vaguely familiar was standing on the bottom step. “Hi,” Melinda said.
“Mary.” The woman stuck out a slender gloved hand. “We met last summer at a picnic Will and Stacey had on the beach. I work at Will’s office.”
“Come in out of the cold and snow.” Melinda stepped to one side and Mary entered.
She pulled her dark brown leather gloves off and stuffed them into the pockets of her deep purple tailored coat, and then pulled a knitted cap from her head and did the same with it.
“I hope you don’t mind an impromptu visit.” Her faced paled. “Unless you’re busy, of course, and maybe I could book an appointment.”
Melinda stepped around her. “Not at all, have a seat. As you can see, I wasn’t planning on clients.” She waved her hand over her outfit.
Mary shrugged out of her coat, folded it in half and placed it over the back of the side chair. She wore a dark skirt and lavender sweater set with hose and knee-high black boots. Melinda held her surprise in check. Her long blonde ringlets were now short soft curls around her face, which seemed to enhance her blue eyes. The only two times she had seen Mary, she was dressed like a teenager, but now she looked like a woman dressed for success.
“Please have a seat. Would you like a cup of coffee?”
Mary sat and smoothed her hands over her skirt. Demurely crossing her legs, she smiled at Melinda. “Yes, thank you. Just cream if you have it. If not, black is fine.”
Melinda dropped a coffee pod into the machine and hit start. As the coffee brewed she pulled a carton from the tiny dorm-size refrigerator. She wondered if maybe there were two sides to Mary, the office persona and the weekend girl.
The coffeepot gurgled and sputtered. Melinda handed Mary the mug and carton of half and half, then settled into the sofa, shutting her laptop and setting it aside. “So, tell me, how can I help you?”
Mary toyed with the cap of the half and half. Shyly she looked up. “I would like to hire you to help me find a man. A good man.” She blew on her coffee before saying, “The last time I saw you I was in a bit of an identity crisis, running around dressing like, well, not like me.” She gestured to her outfit. “I’m more comfortable like this, rather than wearing very short dresses.”
Gently Melinda asked, “What changed?”
“I had just been dumped by a cheater who said I wasn’t pretty enough for him to stay faithful. He said he went looking because I dressed like a frump bucket.”
Anger flared in Melinda, but she kept her voice even. “First off, you must realize his cheating had nothing to do with you. It is so typical that people deflect their responsibility by blaming someone else. And secondly, you’re a beautiful woman, inside and out. If your ex couldn’t see that, well, then it’s a good thing he’s your ex.”
For the first time Melinda saw Mary’s eyes brighten and then she smiled. Her voice was breathless and soft. “Do you really think that’s true?”
“Trust me. I can tell you there is an amazing guy out there looking for you.”
A gleam came into Mary’s eye. “How soon can we get started?”
“I like your attitude. Is now too soon for you?” Melinda stood up to get her notebook and pen. “I’ll give you the questionnaire and you can either fill it out here and we’ll go over it now, or you can take it home and we can get back together in a few days.”
Excited Mary said, “If you have the time, I’ll fill it out here. This will be my Christmas present to me.”
Mel stepped behind her desk and opened the file cabinet drawer. She withdrew a folder and then handed a set of papers to Mary along with a clipboard and pen. “I’m going to step into the kitchen and you take your time. When you’re done, just yell and I’ll come in and we’ll go over it all.”
“Then what happens?” Mary asked.
“I add your information to my database and run a search or two and see who I think might be a fit. Once I have a few matches, I’ll email you the information and you can reach out to who you might like.” She handed Mary another paper. “These are my tips for first meetings. I suggest a coffee date in a public setting and during the daytime, and never have someone pick you up at home. Not until you meet each other a couple of times. Safety first.”
Mary glanced at the paper. “Do you send my information to men too?”
“I do. But it is confidential, so if you pass on someone or he does, you’ll never know. I have found it keeps feelings from getting bruised.”
“What if someone contacts me and I don’t want to go out with them?”
“I would encourage you to just go for coffee. You never know how someone will be in person as opposed to on paper.” Melinda gave her what she hoped was an encouraging smile. “I’ll leave you to the paperwork.”
“Thank you, Melinda. I’ve heard you’re the best.” She gushed, “I just know you’ll help me find a nice man.”
After she chuckled, Melinda said, “I’ll try to live up to my reputation.”