Page 23 of One Sweet Match Up

“I’d love company in there. It’s a big theater. I might get scared.”

Somehow, she doubted that a classic love story in black and white was going to scare him. She laughed to herself. Given his reputation as the consummate bachelor, maybe it would. She kept walking, greeting Josh Stevens toward the entrance. Caitlin’s husband appeared to be doing some handiwork, hanging a picture, his feet on the fourth rung of a metal ladder.

“Hey, Zoe. Donovan.”

“Hey, Josh,” Donovan replied. “Little to your left.”

Josh straightened the picture’s frame and slid down the ladder. “Thanks, man. Saved me a trip back up to straighten it because no doubt my wife would have noticed.”

Zoe took a sip of her soda, admiring all the photos in silver frames along the wall. There were several of the Stevens clan as well as customers, some she recognized including Ralph, the owner of Ralph’s Pizzeria. The old man always served a smile with an extra cheesy slice every time she stopped in. “These pictures are great. Look at how big your triplets are,” she remarked, pointing at the one of Josh and Caitlin with their three tots taken in the front row of the auditorium.

“They’re growing like weeds.” He beamed, reaching out and touching the frame. “The pictures on this side represent the present, and the photos on the other side represent the past.”

What a nice idea. Zoe scanned the pictures on the present side. Most had people in them with the exception of the last. Her gaze rested on three streaks of bright light shooting straight up the auditorium screen’s ruby red curtain. “What’s this?”

Josh leaned on his ladder and smiled. “It was a special family wedding. The picture was taken from the balcony of the bride, groom, and maid of honor.” His smile widened, running a finger over the first streak. “The bride was beautiful. This picture captured all three of them perfectly.”

Zoe squinted her eyes to get a better look. As far as she could tell the stage was empty. “I don’t see them.”

“Oh, they’re there. It was Adam’s distant cousin, Mary, and the love of her life. My grandmother was her maid of honor and stood next to them.”

Zoe’s veins turned to ice. This was Mary’s wedding? As if sensing her terror, Donovan came up beside her and placed his palm on her back. Arrogant or not, the chef’s warm hand was exactly what her frozen nerves needed to thaw. “Doesn’t the photo belong on the other side?” she asked.

“No. It was taken last September by Abby.”

“It was?” How could Abby have attended a wedding of a dead woman? Zoe took another sip of her soda. Did she really want to know?

Josh leaned against the ladder. “Long story, less long, Mary’s ghost had been hanging out in the theater, waiting to reunite with her fiancé. Caitlin and Adam were able to make it happen.”

Josh then went on to relay the story about how Mary had committed suicide when she’d learned that her fiancé had been killed in a train robbery. She’d planned on reuniting with him, but he’d crossed over and her ghost had been trapped in the theater for decades.

“I’m glad Mary got her happy ending,” Zoe whispered.

“So, Josh. Question for you,” Donovan started. “Say Mary received some information—rather upsetting information—about a certain magical blue spoon.”

Zoe snapped her head in Donovan’s direction.You’ve got to be kidding me.Why was he bringing that up?

“That you two broke it.” Josh let out a short laugh. “She’d be pissed.”

“Abby told you.” Zoe shook her head.

“Yeah. You might not know yet that my sister can’t keep her mouth shut.” He punched Donovan’s shoulder. “But this guy should. I’m just messing with you about Mary being upset. Now, if you had broken the pink one, all hell would have broken out.” He chuckled, adding, “Among the living. Emma and Aunt Sheila I’m sure will have something to say about it when they get back.”

“Yeah, I might need to skip town,” Donovan admitted. “Is there any way to talk to Mary?”

“Why would you want to do that?” Zoe immediately interjected. The last thing she wanted to do was talk to Mary Reed and admit that in a moment of stupid, wine-induced lust for the man now standing next to her she’d broken her magical mixing spoon.

Although maybe if Mary saw how gorgeous Donovan was, she’d cut Zoe some slack.

“Relax.” Donovan shrugged. “Maybe she could tell us how to repair it. That’s all.”

“It’s okay, Zoe.” Josh touched her arm. “Nothing to fear. Mary’s not vindictive. Besides, Caitlin and I haven’t seen her since she crossed over.” He walked over to the other wall and stopped in front of a picture. “Say, Mary. How would one fix a broken magical spoon?”

Curious to what Mary looked like, Zoe stepped up beside him to take a look. Her gaze zeroing in on the beautiful, young woman standing in line outside the theater carrying a box.

The first thing she noticed was how her smile radiated her face. Zoe could see the hint of a dress underneath her coat. “Is she wearing her wedding dress in this picture?”

“Yes.” Josh tapped the wall. “Wore the same dress when she crossed over.” He paused, adding, “And then let Bethany borrow it.”

---