Crazy Little Thing Called Matchmaking

by Maggie Van Well

  Alex glanced around to make sure his mother wasn’t within earshot and leaned over to his brother. “This is going too slow. At this rate, I’ll be in college before Mom and Coach hook up.”

  “You’re the one watching those dumb soap operas. Did they give you any ideas?”

  “I’m beginning to think it’s a waste of time. They’re always getting themselves into these stupid precarious situations. Very unrealistic.”

  “I have no idea what you just said.”

  “For instance, getting trapped somewhere seems to be a big plot device.”

  “Plot what?”

  Alex shook his head. “It’s no use. There are no mountains on Long Island so a mudslide is out. We don’t have a walk-in safe, and they’ll never get stuck on a deserted island.”

  “Well, we do live on an island.” His face lit up. “He could save Mom from drowning.”

  “Get real, dude.”

  Drew sat back with a frown. “We could always have a bad storm. Mom hates thunderstorms.”

  “Yeah, but it’s unlikely Mom and Coach will be together during one. We won’t have any snow for at least five months, if at all, so a blizzard’s out.”

  “Man, we don’t get any fun on this stupid island.”

  Alex stared up at the fading sky. “You know, I saw this one show where a couple was in a house without air conditioning. They were really hot and had to take off some clothes.”

  “Are you sure you’re old enough to be watching stuff like that?”

  He laughed. “The woman liked it when the guy took off his shirt, and he practically drooled when she rubbed an ice cube over her face and neck.”

  Drew curled his face into a grimace. “Why? I mean, I get her liking the no shirt thing, but what’s up with the ice cube?”

  “Damned if I know. I guess it’s sensual or something.”

  “Adults are weird.”

  “Yeah, well, wait until you’re an adult. Then you might not think so.” He sat back on his elbows with a sigh. “We’re going to have to watch for opportunities. In the meantime, we have some brainstorming to do.”

  ***

  Later that evening, Alex sat alone by the pool, listening to Coach’s waterfall and still tossing ideas around in his head. Boy, this matchmaking gig was hard. And his mom certainly didn’t make it easy. He didn’t know why he felt Coach would be good for her. Maybe because of the way she acted around him. Like how he felt and what he thought actually mattered to her.

  “Hey, Bud. You’re out late.”

  As if his thoughts had conjured him, Dr. Harris’s voice echoed from across the yard. Alex searched him out in the dark and finally found him on the side of his house placing a bag in the garbage bin.

  “Hey, Coach. How was the game?”

  After he replaced the lid on the can, Dr. Harris hopped the fence, walking toward him. “Well, they lost. But at least I wasn’t the only one shouting and throwing out four letter words. So what’s new? Where’s your mom and Drew?” Coach took the chair beside him.

  “Mom is in bed, I think, and Drew is, where else?”

  “Playing video games.” Dr. Harris chuckled. “That kid is something else.”

  “I wish I were more like him sometimes.”

  “Hey, you’re no slouch, Alex.”

  “Oh, I’m smart and can play sports, but put Jaime Marsh in front of me and suddenly I’m Forrest Gump. I have no idea how to talk to her.”

  Coach shifted in his chair. “I wish I could help you, but I’m not what you’d call suave around the ladies either.”

  That surprised him. Dr. Harris had always appeared confident to Alex.

  “So how do you deal with it?”

  “Damned if I know. But I can tell you what my dad told me. Just be yourself, and don’t be afraid. The worst they can say is no.”

  They chatted for about an hour. Alex couldn’t believe how easily he could talk to Coach, how fast he trusted him enough to share his secrets. No wonder everyone liked him.

  Coach stretched and checked his watch. “It’s getting late, Bud, and I need to get up early tomorrow.”

  Alex stood along with him, feeling better than he had in a long time. “Thanks for listening to me, Dr. Harris.” He paused, wondering how much he should reveal. Might as well go for broke. “Usually, when I need to talk, I visit my dad.”

  He patted Alex’s shoulder. “It makes you feel better to talk to him?”

  “Yeah, I just sit at his grave and tell him what’s on my mind. Mom doesn’t know. I don’t know how she’d react. She doesn’t like going there.”

  “Well, she won’t hear about it from me. Sleep well, Pal.”

  Alex watched him jump the fence with a grin. He had shared a lot with Dr. Harris tonight, but he also learned a few things, too. Coach was awkward around women.

  If he was ever going to get together with Mom, he was going to need a lot of help from him and Drew.

  Chapter Eleven

  “I HAVE A SURPRISE for you,” Kate sang as she walked into Jake’s office.

  “Oh?”

  “You have a little boy in exam room two.”

  He rose from his desk and adjusted his Monty Python baseball cap. “That’s not a surprise, Kate.”

  “Guess who his mother is.”

  Jake stared at her for a minute. Then the room tilted when he realized who she meant. “Oh, God.”

  She leaned over his desk and winked. “I’ll go see if we have enough red lollipops.”

  “No, no, no. You are glued to my side. Do you understand me?”

  “Come on, Jake.” Kate turned him around and shoved him out the door. “You have to learn how to deal with aggressive women some time.”

  “Times like these, I wish I had a partner.”

  The scent of roses gagged him as he stood outside the door. A deep breath, a small prayer, and he entered the room. Mrs. Ricks swayed to her feet. “Hi, Dr. Jake.”

  “Hi.” Geez, he hated when his voice cracked. He glanced at her son, four-year-old Evan. The sight of his droopy, watery eyes and pale, feverish complexion took his mind off everything but his patient. “What’s the matter, Buddy?”

  “My ear hurts.”

  Jake grabbed the otoscope. “Let me take a look, and maybe I can make it feel better.” He shined the light into his ear, seeing the canal was deep pink with fluid in the middle ear. Poor kid.

  Jake rubbed Evan’s back and faced his mother. “He has an ear infection. I’ll write a prescription for antibiotics. It should clear up in a few days.”

  After finishing the examination, he squatted down in front of the child. “You did a great job. You deserve a prize for that.”

  Evan lay down. “May I pwease have a wed wollipop?” His lids lowered. He had to be in pain and still asked so politely for a treat. At that moment, Jake would’ve given him a puppy if he wanted.

  “Sure thing, Sport.”

  He opened the top cabinet and took down the lollipop box. Brown, orange, green, yellow. No red? Had he eaten them all?

  He turned to Kate. “We’re out?”

  “I’ll be right back.” She offered a knowing grin and left the room.

  Jake gulped as Kate closed the door behind her. Mrs. Ricks gave him a seductive smile. He quickly scribbled out a prescription. God, he wished he’d worn an intimidating power suit instead of the Yosemite Sam T-shirt and blue jeans.

  Should he leave the exam room, or was it safer to stay here with her son as chaperone? Maybe he could make a beeline for the reception desk. Yes, that sounded like his best bet. He inched toward the door. “Here’s Evan’s prescription. You can give him a children’s pain reliever to make him more comfortable.”

  Mrs. Ricks moved in front of him, blocking his escape as she eased the paper from between his fingers. “I’m a little disappointed you didn’t call.”

  He backed up. “I told you I-I didn’t think it w-would be appropriate.”

  She moved forward. “I won’t tell if you won’t.”


  Jake straightened and squared his shoulders. Kate was right. He needed to learn how to deal with women like this. “That’s not the point.” He grimaced when his attempt to sound firm fell flat. “I’m your children’s doctor.”

  “So?” She reached up and removed his cap, running her fingers through his hair. “God, your hair is like silk. What do you use to wash it?”

  “S-soap.”

  “You have such sexy eyes.”

  He glanced at Evan. Fast asleep on the exam table. Shit! Where the hell was Kate? He tried to slide away from Mrs. Ricks without having to push. “Please excuse me. I have—I have other patients to see—”

  “God, you are so cute. That innocent boy act is such a turn on.”

  Jake gaped, horrified. “Mrs. Ricks—”

  “It’s Ms.”

  “Either way, you must stop this.”

  “Aren’t you interested, even just a little?” She leaned against him, lifting her lips toward his.

  Jake almost cried with relief when Kate entered the room holding a folder and probably the last red lollipop in the office. He grabbed her wrist and yanked her between him and the daunting woman.

  Kate threw a glare over her shoulder before turning to Ms. Ricks and handing over the lollipop. When she spoke, her tone was soft and even. “I see Evan is out like a light, so tell him I hope he feels better.” She opened the folder and made a note in the file. “And might I suggest, Jane, either learn how to take no for an answer or find another doctor.”

  Slamming Jake’s cap to the floor, the woman glowered, scooped her son in her arms, and stormed from the room.

  Jake flinched at the slamming door then turned to Kate, trying to hide his grin. “Wow, you can really be a bitch.”

  He could almost feel the daggers she aimed at him piercing his face. She slapped the folder against his chest before stomping from the room across the hall to his office.

  Jake scooped up his cap then followed. He closed the door and was about to apologize when her icy stare stopped him.

  “Listen, Dr. Harris. I did not go to college all those years just to be your babysitter. I haven’t been involved in something so juvenile since I passed notes to William in study hall.”

  Jake frowned. “Who’s William?”

  “My husband—don’t change the subject. This has got to stop.”

  “Do you think I do this on purpose?”

  “Oh, please.” She rolled her eyes and fanned her face. “‘Oh,Dr. Harris, that innocent boy act is such a turn on.’” She dropped her hands into fists at her side. “As if you didn’t know.”

  “You were listening outside the door?” Her taunt sparked his anger.

  “I figured I would give you a chance to—”

  “I think you’re forgetting who the boss is around here, Mrs. Henderson.” He bent over, bringing his nose within inches of hers. “This is my practice, and if I want you to play goalie for me with every single woman who walks in here, you do it! Because if you can’t, I’ll find someone who will.”

  Her face paled. “Dr. Harris—”

  “No, Kate, I’m tired of this shit. You are not my babysitter, and I’m sick of you acting like you are. Either get over this obsession you have with our age difference or find yourself another job.”

  Chapter Twelve

  “IS IT HOT ENOUGH yet?” Drew wiped his sweaty brow with the back of his hand.

  “No, not yet.” Alex grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge, wishing Drew would relax. If soap operas had taught him anything, it’s that things moved along very slowly.

  “Well, it’s gonna have to be, because I think Mom’s almost done weeding.”

  “Shit.” Alex ran from the back door to the dining room window. Coach was still outside planting red flowers in his backyard. It bothered Alex that both Mom and Coach were outside and, as far ashe knew, hadn’t said a word to each other. Maybe Coach was embarrassed because he didn’t have a shirt on, but Alex doubted it.

  Something must’ve happened between them, and that settled like a peach pit in his stomach. He rejoined his brother at the back door.

  “It’s not working. What are we gonna do?” Drew asked.

  Good question. Alex had anticipated Mom and Coach chatting over the picket fence, having a good laugh, and complaining about the heat, and then Mom would invite him inside for a cool drink. They’d find no comfort inside the house and hopefully things would escalate from there.

  Now his plan was falling apart.

  Think, Alex, think. How did they get them both into the house? There must be something—wait!

  He turned to his brother, praying Drew would forgive him for what he was about to do. “Remember, this is for Mom.”

  “Huh?”

  “You suck at Skyward Sword.”

  Drew jerked back as if Alex had slapped him. “Dude, not cool!”

  “I think Grandma could play it better.”

  Drew’s face turned a deep fiery red, his mouth tight, and eyes angry. He looked pissed or in pain.

  He hoped Mom believed the latter.

  “Are you trying to tick me off?” Drew demanded.

  “Yes! Now get down on the floor and cry.”

  “Whoa, the things you said were uncool, but I’m not gonna cry over it. I’d rather punch you.”

  “When you’re really mad, you look like you’re in pain. And who do you think Mom’s gonna call if you’re hurt?”

  Drew gave a slow nod. “Okay, I see where you’re going with this. How about I punch you and you get on the floor and cry?”

  “Yeah, like Mom’d believe that.”

  With a roll of his eyes, his brother flopped to the tile. “Mom!”

  Alex knew she heard the anguished cry when she dropped her chin to her chest, then hopped to her feet, and jogged toward the house. He opened the door for her.

  “What in God’s name—Drew!” She rushed over to him, as he writhed on the floor beside the center island, and fell to her knees. “Honey, what happened?”

  “It hurts!”

  “What hurts?”

  Alex answered for him. “His err knee-shin—ankle.”

  Drew shot him a glare, moving his hands to each part of his leg Alex shouted out until he settled on his ankle.

  Maybe they should’ve run through the plan once before calling her in.

  She studied the supposed injury. “It’s not swollen. C’mon, stand up. I’m sure it’s fine.”

  Drew struggled to his feet, but immediately cried out when he put pressure on it and sank to the floor again. “Ow! Mom, get Coach!”

  “Oh, goodness. Alex, would you please get Dr. Harris?”

  Yes! Alex left the house having a newfound respect for his brother’s acting ability.

  Kate sat next to Drew, nibbling the nails on one hand while rubbing her son’s back with the other. She’d known Jake was outside gardening, but she couldn’t bring herself to talk to him. Fear of doing or saying something that would cause her to lose her job stopped her from announcing herself.

  She’d managed to avoid him until closing time yesterday, but she needed to clear the air. She missed their comfortable chatter.

  A few minutes later, the front door burst open, and Jake rushed toward Drew. “What happened?”

  “I hurt my-er.” He glanced at Alex. “Knee?”

  “Ankle.”

  “Yeah. Ankle.”

  Her eyes shifted between her sons. Something smelled rotten here. “Hurts real bad, huh, Drew?”

  Jake knelt down beside Kate and examined him. “Flex your foot for me, buddy.”

  Drew did as instructed, eyeing her through his lashes. “It’s feeling better.”

  Oh, I bet it is.

  With a firm pat on the back, Jake straightened and offered his hand. “Let’s see you stand.”

  Kate and Jake rose to their feet along with Drew. He took a tentative step.

  “I’ll take him outside so he can walk it off.” Alex led his brother out the back door. �
�Far away from the house.”

  A lump rose in Kate’s throat as Alex slid the backdoor closed, the soft click echoing through the kitchen. As the boys stepped out, the tension seeped in.

  Alone. Great. Kate turned to Jake. “Sorry about that. He was clearly not as hurt as he let on. Although why he would act like that is anyone’s guess.”

  “Boys will be boys.”

  “I know.” She twisted her wedding ring. “Listen, about yesterday, I don’t know where my head was. There are quite a few years between us, and maybe I do have some issue. Well, I promise I’ll try

  to—”

  He placed his hand over hers. “It’s okay.”

  Relief washed over her, but behind the relief was something far more warm and tingly. “Thanks.”

  Jake met her eyes and—did he just move closer? “You’re welcome.”

  Her breath hitched. God, those silver eyes could melt her to a puddle on the floor. She tore her gaze from his only to have it settle on his chest. Toned, tanned, perfect.

  Naked.

  She yanked her hand away. “Would you like some iced tea?”

  “Uh, okay.” He slid his hands into the back pockets of his cut-offs.

  She moved toward the fridge, but stopped at the center island and picked up the pink plastic bowl, confused. Why was a bowlful of half-melted ice cubes on the counter?

  With a shrug, she grabbed a handful and divided them between two glasses.

  Jake ran his palm across his forehead. “Why is it so warm in here?”

  Warm? She’d thought that had been her reaction to being so close to him. Kate frowned, listening for the familiar hum. When she was met with silence, she let out a small shriek.

  Rushing over to the air conditioner and praying someone had turned it off, she examined the front panel. The knob was in the on position. She flicked the dial between on and off, but that didn’t work.

  Leaning her face against the plastic front, she whispered, “Please don’t be broken. Just hang on until the end of the summer.”

  “Kate, why are you hugging your air conditioner?”