Mistletoe Matchmaker. Lissa Manley

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СКАЧАТЬ although he wielded the blade more like a machete than a knife. “Not really. I don’t have time.”

       Right. Because he was always working. “Really? I’m a big reader.” Although, since she wasn’t looking for a match for herself, that discrepancy in their reading habits didn’t matter. “Did you read as a kid?” she asked, heading across the kitchen to get a salad bowl from the cupboard.

       “Yeah, I guess.” More machete-ing. “Mostly science books.”

       That made sense. He was a brain, even though he didn’t look like one.

       “Oh, and comic books,” he added. “I loved superheroes.”

       “Really? I read a lot of comic books as a kid, too. Who’s your favorite?”

       He stopped chopping and stared at her. “Spider Man, of course.”

       “Me, too,” she replied, amazed that they had the same favorite. “No contest. My dogs’ names are Peter and Parker, and I own the movie. How about you?”

       “I only had time to see it once, but I loved it.”

       Of course. No time for movies in this guy’s life. “You still have your comic books?”

       He stilled, then quickly looked down. “My mom saved them, so they’re up in my parents’ attic somewhere.”

       Sympathy shot through her. Oh, yes. Rose had told her he’d recently lost his mom. “Have you ever thought about finding them?” she asked softly. “It might be fun to reread them sometime.”

       “Nope.”

       “Why not?” Wasn’t it important for her to know lots about him? You know, to properly set him up.

       Picking up the knife, he began to studiously chop the onion again, pausing before he quietly answered, “A lot of my mom’s stuff is up there.”

       A knot built in her chest, making it hard to breathe. “Your aunt Rose told me about your mom. I’m so sorry.”

       “Thanks,” he said, not looking up, his voice raw and husky. “It’s been rough.”

       Her eyes burned. “My mom died when I was a little girl, so I know how hard it is to lose a mom.” She’d been inconsolable for months after her mom had been killed in a car accident.

       Grant looked up, his eyes full of empathy. “Oh, wow. How old were you?”

       “Eight.”

       He shook his head. “That must have been really, really hard.”

       “It was.” Harder still had been essentially losing her father, who had been so filled with grief over his wife’s death, he’d forgotten all about Molly.

       Until now. He’d been calling a lot recently, wanting back into her life. But the walls she’d put up wouldn’t be so easily torn down. Even with God’s help, and lots of prayers, she’d struggled with this issue for quite a while.

       Suddenly, onion smell overwhelmed her, and her eyes started tearing. Drawing back, she actually looked at the pile of onions on the cutting board in front of Grant.

       She did a double take. Instead of pieces of onion, the cutting board was full of onion mush, speckled with brown bits.

       Her jaw went slack. “You didn’t peel the onion before you chopped?” she asked, her throat burning.

       He looked up, tears running down his sculpted cheeks. “No. Was I supposed to?” he asked, sniffing.

       She backed away from the stinging onion aroma and nodded toward the mashed onions. “Uh…yeah. I thought you knew to take the dry, papery outer layer off.”

       He set the knife down and swiped at his eyes with the back of his hand before turning his watery gaze to his handiwork. “How would I know? I told you I’ve never chopped onions before.”

       “Good point.” She gazed at the pile of goo that used to be an onion. “Um…you may have overchopped a bit, too.”

       He considered the slush pile on the cutting board, his brow line hoisted high. “You think?”

       She put her hands on her hips. “Definitely. They’re supposed to be pieces, not…mush with skin.”

       He reached for the other half of the onion, his mouth curved into a wry smile. “You want me to try again? I’m game if you are, although we might end up onion-less.” His eyes lit up. “Better yet, I’ll do an internet search on how to chop onions.”

       She shook her head. “No, no need to bring your computer into this. I’ll do the chopping. Spaghetti sauce just wouldn’t be right without onions.” She glanced around and saw the antique table in the dining room off the kitchen. “Why don’t you work on setting the table.”

       He set the onion down. “Now, that I can do.” He picked up the knife and presented it to her with a flourish. “Your knife, Miss. Use it well.”

       She played along and accepted his “gift” with an exaggerated curtsy. “Thank you, kind sir.”

       Turning her attention to the onion, she chopped it on the cutting board next to the sink. She surreptitiously watched Grant rattle around the kitchen, gathering up the utensils and plates they’d need.

       She couldn’t help but notice how he moved with an easy male grace she found fascinating. Yes, he’d told her he spent a lot of time at his computer. But it was clear he spent some time working out, too. He was in terrific shape…um, for a computer nerd.

       Suddenly, the knife bit into her finger with a sharp sting. “Ow!” She dropped the blade and jerked her hand away, looking down at the bleeding gash on her finger.

       Dizziness engulfed her; the sight of blood had always made her woozy.

       Grant was at her side in a flash. “What’s wrong?”

       At least she’d had the presence of mind to thrust her hand out over the sink and underneath cold water rather than bleed all over Rose’s kitchen. “I…cut my finger.” Because I was staring at you.

       “Let me see,” he said, gently taking her hand.

       She leaned his way for support, but squeezed her eyes shut, her teeth gritted. “I can’t look.”

       “You’ve cut yourself pretty good,” he said after a few moments, his voice laced with concern. A pause. “Keep your hand over the sink, okay? It’s bleeding a lot.”

       She did as she was told, biting her lip against the fiery pain. Something dry engulfed her throbbing finger.

       “I’m stopping the bleeding with a clean towel,” he said.

       “Okay,” she said shakily. The ground tilted and her legs sagged.

       He put one arm around her and guided her to the nearest kitchen chair. “Don’t worry. I’ve got you.”

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