Mistletoe Matchmaker. Lissa Manley

She stared at him for a moment, then pried her gaze away, trying not to lose herself in his stunning eyes. “It’s the least I can do for Rose and Benny.” Never mind a nice guy who was handsome and charming to boot.

       All three dogs came belatedly running when they caught sight of the leash, clearly making the connection between it and the possibility of a walk.

       “Sure you don’t want to take all three?” Molly asked brightly, her tone teasing. “You’ve got treats and a leash. Doesn’t get any better when you’re a dog.”

       Grant considered Peter, Parker and Jade, who were now excitedly dancing the cha-cha around his feet. “No sirree,” he replied, wagging his head. “I can barely handle one. Three…? No way am I ready for that.”

       “Don’t tell me you’re scared of a few mutts,” she said mischievously, enjoying her and Grant’s flirting…um, banter.

       He gave her a serious look. “Hey, I almost lost my aunt’s beloved pet, and the crazy dog managed to make me fall on my face in front of a pretty lady. You bet I’m scared.”

       She felt a flush of pleasure. He thought she was pretty? “Don’t be,” she managed. “As long as you establish yourself as the pack leader, you’ll be good.”

       “Pack. Leader.” He flexed like a he-man body builder. “Got it.”

       Molly giggled unabashedly at his antics. Add sense of humor to the list of his attractive traits. Not that she was paying attention. At least not for herself. But as the town’s matchmaker, she was always keeping an eye out for eligible singles.

       “I’ve got to head home,” Grant said, holding up the leash. “Any tips for getting this thing on?”

       She nodded toward the chicken liver treats in his back pocket. “Hold up one of those, ask her to sit and hook ’er up. Should be easy.”

       “Whatever you say.” Grant took the treats out of his pocket, ripped the Christmas wrap off and fished a few from the bag. He faced the dancing bevy of dogs and asked Jade to sit in a firm, deep voice that resonated in Molly.

       All three dogs sat.

       “What do you know?” Grant said, giving each one of them a treat.

       Molly squatted and held on to Jade just as Grant leaned down to hook the leash to Jade’s collar. His face came close, and she got a whiff of his aftershave, all spicy and clean, and another look, up close and personal, at his impossibly long eyelashes framing his eyes.

       She fought the crazy urge to run her fingers over those lashes. Instead, she concentrated on the inane detail of the curly texture of Jade’s nose fur.

       Grant hesitated, just a few inches away, seemingly concentrating on hooking the leash onto the ring on Jade’s bright pink collar.

       Molly chastised herself for being so drawn to him, so caught up in the details of everything about him. What was wrong with her, anyway?

       He got the leash attached, and he straightened.

       Molly let herself draw a breath, realizing she’d been holding it.

       “That was easy,” he said. “Thanks again for your help. I think I’ve got the hang of this dog stuff now.”

       “Great. You’re a fast learner.” Good. No, bad…he wouldn’t need her around now.

       Thrown off balance by her weird thoughts, Molly focused on instructing him how to give the standard poodle another treat, complete with “Good dog, Jade.” She fell back on the familiar to keep herself on an even keel and to counteract her attraction to him. She had to get herself together.

       He was Rose’s nephew. Not some guy she wanted to date. Well…she’d kind of like to date him, but wouldn’t. Too much danger down that trail.

       The buzzer on the front door sounded, heralding the arrival of a customer. Molly looked over and saw her friend Phoebe Sellers walk in, right on schedule for their lunch date.

       Her single friend.…

       Instantly, Molly’s trusty matchmaker hat figuratively popped onto her head. She quirked a brow as she realized that Phoebe might be Grant’s perfect match.

       Making a mental note to strategize about setting them up, she headed toward Phoebe. “Come on over and meet Phoebe,” she said to Grant. Might as well see if sparks flew.

       Even little sparkles would help tell the story. Fortunately, it didn’t take much for Molly to sense who belonged with whom. Some said she had a gift for recognizing perfect matches, and with eight successful ones in the last two years, she’d have to agree.

       “Phoebe, this is Grant Roderick, Rose’s nephew.” Molly turned to Grant. “Grant, this is Phoebe Sellers. She owns the ice cream store up the street.”

       Grant extended his hand and smiled. “Nice to meet you.”

       “It’s mutual,” Phoebe said as she shook his hand, a decidedly speculative gleam in her blue eyes.

       Oooh. Gleamy eyes. Always a good sign.

       “How long have you owned the ice cream place?” Grant asked.

       His interest in Phoebe had Molly’s rapt attention.

       “About a year and a half,” Phoebe said, unwinding her fluffy black scarf from around her neck. “But I was born and raised in Moonlight Cove.”

       “Ah, a local girl,” Grant said. “Looks like you’ve put down roots. You must like it here.”

       Aha. Mention of roots. Wonderful.

       “I love it,” Phoebe replied. “How long will you be staying?”

      Interest, or just politeness? Phoebe had sworn off romance, too, but minds could be changed if need be. Maybe.

       “Aunt Rose and Benny will be back just before New Year’s Eve,” Grant said. “So I’ll be around for a while.”

       “Well, it’s good to have a new face around here.” Phoebe smiled. “Small towns tend to get a bit boring.”

       Molly watched the whole exchange with interest, taking mental notes. No giant sparks yet, but it was early. And the gleam in Phoebe’s eyes and Grant’s questions…well, it could bode fairly well for a tidy setup.

       Anticipation sparked; Molly couldn’t wait to sink her chops into a good matchmaking prospect. She delighted in helping others find the true love she would never have; if she couldn’t have a soul mate, well, then at least she could be a part of helping others find that special someone. It would be the closest she’d ever get to a happily ever after.

       She pushed away the sadness that thought caused and tuned back to the matchmaking opportunity at hand. True love was elusive, and it took skill to make good matches that lasted; she’d have to pay attention.

       “You two want to hang around awhile and just…talk?” Molly asked.

       Grant held up Jade’s leash. “Sorry, I can’t. I need to get going.” He gave a mock-salute. “Ladies, it’s been a pleasure.”

       Phoebe murmured her goodbye in unison with Molly, and Grant left, Jade trotting obediently at his side, her tail held high.

       Molly watched him go. Nice guy. Very appealing.

       If she were looking for a friendly, charming, all-work-and-no-play kind of guy. Which she definitely wasn’t. At least not for herself. But Phoebe? Now, that was a different story.

       Molly turned around to find her blonde friend standing right behind her, her arms crossed over her chest.

       “He’s very cute,” Phoebe said, one brow arched.

       Good sign. Physical attraction definitely played a part in who was meant to be together. Not the whole part, of course, but an important piece for sure.