A Very Merry Match--Includes a Bonus Novella by Melinda Curtis

Author:Melinda Curtis
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: None
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Published: 2020-09-29T00:00:00+00:00

Twice.

That’s how many times Mary Margaret thought Kevin would kiss her among the Christmas trees.

Twice.

That’s how many times Mary Margaret had dodged a bullet.

Because as soon as Kevin’s lips touched hers, she was going to have to keep herself from kissing him wholeheartedly, the way Foxy Roxy had. Because if she did, he might discover who danced behind the mask. But oh, how she longed for him to kiss her again.

In the afterglow of the snowball fight, Mary Margaret had forgotten what was at stake. She’d allowed Kevin to lead her to a picnic table and buy her a hot chocolate topped with miniature marshmallows and chocolate drizzles.

“That was fun.” Richard Hadley smiled at Mary Margaret as if she was something more than his grandchild’s teacher. “I haven’t been in a ninja war in a long time.”

“That’s because Dad said no more ninja attacks on grandparents.” Tad sported a hot chocolate mustache and a pleased-with-himself grin. “Because my attack broke your favorite coffee mug last year.”

“What? No more ninja attacks? Why?” Richard drew back to give his son a look of disbelief. “You think I’m old? You think I can’t take a ninja war?”

“I thought it was a sign of respect…” Kevin grinned. “Old man.”

A verbal ninja sparring match ensued between Kevin and his father.

Their obvious love for each other, combined with the ease with which they teased one another, created an unexpected ache in Mary Margaret’s throat. She’d never had that kind of relationship with her father. And she never would.

“Come on, Tad.” Richard got to his feet, drawing his wife with him and then claiming Kevin’s saw. “Help your decrepit old grandfather pick out a Christmas tree.”

“Okay.” Tad practically tumbled off the picnic bench and grabbed on to his grandparents’ hands.

It was an adorable sight and sharpened the ache in Mary Margaret’s throat.

“Hey.” Kevin took her hand and held it in both of his. “Where’d you go just now?”

She smiled, and the ache in her throat loosened the lock on her secrets. “I was just thinking what a wonderful family you have.”

They’d removed their gloves to drink hot chocolate. His skin was warm against hers, his clasp one of understanding.

“I never had a family like this. My dad had his own church.” Mary Margaret hadn’t realized how much she’d missed holding hands and sharing confidences. “We were supposed to be the perfect family. Kind, giving, selfless. And we were. To others.”

Kevin’s gaze turned distant. “Isn’t it funny how easy it is to forget to love and nurture those closest to you?”

She nodded. “I suppose to my dad I didn’t fit the image of a preacher’s perfect daughter. I was a chunky child, always tripping over my own two feet. They kept my hair short, and it always looked like a bird’s nest. My mom made me wear Easter hats to school in the spring and fall, which did not help me in the popularity department. I think I was seven when they sent me to ballet class, hoping I’d become graceful.

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