Page 9 of The Matchmaker and the Marine

“I sure do. And over the last few years I’ve built raised beds and hauled in soil and mulch to have the best possible gardens.”

He didn’t miss the pride in her voice. She wandered over to one bed to pluck a fat, round, deep purple radish from the loamy soil. She pointed to a bucket close by. “If you want, give that a rinse and taste it. I guarantee you’ve never tasted a better radish.”

Adam took the vegetable and did as she suggested, breaking the leafy greens off and crunching down. He could feel his eyes begin to water. “That’s hot. But really good.”

“There’s nothing like coming out here and getting salad right from the garden. Brings a whole new meaning to the phrase from garden to table.”

Adam scanned the wide-open space. “I’m a little confused. What do you think this space needs?”

Melinda turned, her back to the beds and looked at the patio. “The back of the house gets a ton of sun in the afternoon, and it’s unbearable to sit out here and enjoy dinner.” She crossed her arms and after a thoughtful pause said, “I’m thinking about adding a pergola. I could plant some grapevines on one side for a bit of screening and keep the other three sides open.” She shaded her eyes from the intense, early afternoon sun. “It would kill two birds with one stone. I could get grapes and shade, and as a bonus I think it would make the backyard look amazing.”

Adam surveyed the back of her large Cape Cod-style home. “The patio is, what, sixteen by sixteen?”

“Good eye.”

“What kind of a design are you thinking? Cedar or a manmade material?” He pulled a small notepad and pencil from the side pocket of his pants.

“Cedar, definitely. Have you ever seen a pergola where the grape clusters hang down through the beams, and the dark green leaves block just enough of the sun, giving it a dappled effect on the stones? That’s what I’d like to have, and I’d like to use natural products that, with the proper care, will last for many years.”

Adam liked how her eyes sparkled. He appreciated that she knew exactly what she wanted. “I can pull together some ideas and give you a quote.”

“That’s awesome. How soon can you start?” Her enthusiasm was contagious as it bubbled over.

With a chuckle, he said, “You should probably review the quote, check my references and then make a decision.”

With a dismissive wave of her hand, Melinda said, “I’m sure you have glowing recommendations.”

He hoped he didn’t look cocky from her comment. “I’m going to run to my truck and get a tape measure for the estimate.”

Melinda sighed. “How long will it take for you to pull it together for me?”

“Impatient, aren’t you?” Adam teased.

“When I get something in my head, I like to get it done.”

“How about we agree on this: I’ll take measurements and drop off a drawing of what I have in mind, along with some pricing. If you agree, I can get started in, say, two weeks?”

She perked up. “That sounds great. And…”

He joked, “I know what your next question is going to be. How long will it take before it will be finished, am I right?”

She held up her palms toward the sky and shrugged. “I told you, when I make up my mind…”

With a chuckle he said, “I’m starting to see what you meant, and that’s fine. Consider me forewarned.”

Melinda watched Adam disappear around the side of the house. She did a little dance, a throwback to her childhood, with anticipation. Since the first time she saw the house four years ago, she’d known it cried out for something. Now she was going to get it.

She settled into one of the chairs on the patio stretched out her legs and closed her eyes. She could see the backyard clearly. Vines trailing up and over the beams with pots of flowers scattered around. In her mind, it was late summer and bunches of deep purple fruit were waiting to be plucked and enjoyed. She might try her hand at winemaking too.

“Mel?” Adam’s deep voice interrupted her daydream.

She popped open her eyes and smiled. “I was just picturing what it was going to look like in a couple of years once my grapes get established.” He extended the tape and Melinda got up to help him. “I was thinking I might try my hand at a little wine, but I’ll make some jelly, too.”

He jotted down a number and walked ninety degrees from her. “Is there anything you don’t make?”

She thought for a minute. “I’ve always wanted to raise chickens. The manure would be beneficial to the gardens and I absolutely love fresh eggs.”

“What’s stopping you?”

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