Page 18 of Her Hidden Smile

“Don’t tell my wife, but these cookies are much better than hers,” Drake Avery said as he snatched up one from each tray.

I shook my head. “Leave some for the students.”

“They’re already leaving for the day. Their professor said that they’ve done enough to get the extra credit that they needed. We won’t see them again.”

“I see some of them still out there,” I protested.

Drake laughed. “The football players. They need extra, extra credit.”

“Yeah, they do seem to be working their asses off. All the more reason not to eat all of their cookies.”

“Renz, there’s plenty left. Your woman baked up a storm.”

This time, it was my turn to laugh. “You do know who you’re talking about, don’t you? This is Millie Randolph. She’s closed up tighter than a bug in a rug. She doesn’t belong to anyone.”

“Really? The way you were going back and forth to her house, I was sure there was something going on between the two of you. Is she nice?”

I nodded, then I grabbed a peanut butter cookie and took a bite so I wouldn’t have to answer any follow up question he might have. Drake gave me a knowing look and waited for me to wash down the cookie with some water.

“What does she look like?”

“Big violet eyes, creamy white skin, and hair the color of teak. Beautiful.”

“What about who she is? Do you like her?”

“Like I said, she’s closed off, so I haven’t got a bead on her yet. And what’s with you, anyway? I heard a bit about you from your sister, Trenda. She never told me you were a matchmaker.”

He barked out a laugh. “Fuck no, I’m not a matchmaker. It’s just that I’m deeply in love with my wife. I’ve seen some of my sisters and teammates pair off. I believe in love, and I like to see other people find it. Sue me.”

I stared at the man. “Are you for real?” I finally asked.

“Straight up. I like seeing good people finding their other half.”

Good people. Hmmm.

“And you think me meeting Millie today means I’ve found my other half?” I asked.

“Stranger things have happened.” Drake took a long pull from his water bottle, then finished off the other half of his snickerdoodle cookie.

“Well, Trenda was right about one thing. You are a nut.”

“I know my sister. Guaranteed she said I was smart, loyal, and loveable too,” Drake flashed me a grin.

“Amazing you could fit your head through the barn door.”

“Nah, barn doors are easy. It’s normal house doors that are hard.”

I laughed. This guy was a mess.

We watched as the last three college students headed toward their cars. We returned their waves with chin tilts. Then I looked over at the orchard. From what I could see most of the branches had been taken care of, but there was still work to be done.

“Break time’s over,” Drake said as I was standing up.

I nodded.

We didn’t finish until dusk. Drake and I made four trips from there to Irv’s place with the tree waste. Since Millie’s folks had died in a fire on this land, I totally understood why she wouldn’t want the branches held at her place. I’d go back to Irv’s tomorrow and take the branches to the Sevier composting facility.

“It was nice working with you, Renzo,” Drake said as we unloaded the last of the branches. He held out his hand and I shook it. “Don’t be a stranger. Trenda and Simon told me all you did for them a while back. Karen and I are going to throw together a dinner. We’d love to have you come.”