Page 1 of 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.”

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