Much Ado About Matchmaking by Myrna Mackenzie

Author:Myrna Mackenzie
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-10-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Emma was still thinking of how impossible and tempering her situation with Ryan was after she and Marcy had had a long talk, and Ryan and Charlie had returned, Charlie beaming with ice cream all over his face.

“Well, we’re off. I was in the area and didn’t know you were remodeling, but that’s all right,” Marcy said. “Charlie and I probably shouldn’t spend the night, anyway. His daddy misses us. But if you ever decide to take up babysitting, Mr. Benedict, just let Emma know and have her give me a call.”

Ryan shrugged. “Charlie throws a mean Frisbee. Take care, big guy,” Ryan said, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket and wiping Charlie’s face.

Charlie glowed and wrapped his chubby little arms around Ryan’s leg. “Bye, Rye,” he said. He didn’t seem to notice the way Ryan stiffened at the childish embrace.

Emma’s heart felt as if it couldn’t possibly hold the emotions coursing through her. She looked up and found herself staring into Ryan’s eyes. She remembered what he’d told her about not wanting children, and she reminded herself that there were plenty of people who were good with children who still didn’t want to have their own. Ryan must be one of those. She couldn’t be like that. Slowly she looked away and realized that Marcy was watching her with a somewhat worried expression.

Emma dredged up a glowing smile.

“Hey, don’t stay a stranger, Emma,” Marcy warned. “Next time we get together we’re going to do some of that wild and crazy stuff we used to do. In the meantime, I want to hear about your life, all the important stuff.” It was a comment that was loaded with not-so-hidden meaning, so Emma ignored it.

“I’ll stay in touch. I do miss you. It was great having the chance to talk,” Emma told her friend.

“I know. Me, too,” Marcy said. Then she hugged Emma and walked out the door holding Charlie’s hand, Charlie babbling all the way and Marcy babbling right back.

The room was quiet after they had gone.

“Thank you,” Emma finally said.

“For taking Charlie? It was nothing. He’s a sweet kid.”

“You know what I mean. You didn’t have to. And you were good with him.”

Ryan looked to the side. He blew out a breath. “I told you I don’t dislike children, Emma. I just…” He shook his head and turned to gaze directly into her eyes. “The truth, Emma, is that I like children. I’m just too tuned in to my own world to be able to be what they need long-term.”

“I see.”

“You don’t,” he said gazing directly into her eyes. “Emma, everyone thinks I hurt my knee in the service, and I did, but not in the way you might imagine.”

She bit her lip. “You don’t have to tell me.”

“I know, but I will. I had always dreamed of being in the service, partly for selfish reasons since life at home was pretty bleak, but also because I wanted to do something meaningful, something helpful, something honorable and decent. So, I enlisted in the army right out of school.

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