The Perfect Christmas - Debbie Macomber [11]
“He’s reformed.”
“Yeah, right. And when did this happen?”
Shawn seemed unsure. “Not too long ago. He said he’s through messing up his life. What he needs now is a good woman.”
Cassie exhaled slowly. “Tell him to talk to one of his ex-wives, then.”
“Sorry,” Angie said, “I’m not interested, either.”
“You’re going to have to try harder than that,” Cassie informed her brother.
“What about Larry Upjohn? You couldn’t meet a nicer guy if you tried.”
“Do you know Larry?” Angie asked her.
Cassie nodded. “He’s Shawn’s CPA and in a word…b-o-r-i-n-g.”
“You didn’t say you were looking for a stand-up comic,” Shawn said, obviously annoyed.
“Call me superficial, but I don’t want to date a man who wears knee-high socks with his sandals and a pocket protector in his pajamas.”
“A little personality would be helpful,” Angie said in a defeated voice. “As you can tell, it’s not as easy as it seems.”
“Warren!” Shawn’s face lit up. “What about Warren?”
Once more Angie turned to Cassie.
She nodded, but without enthusiasm. “Warren’s a…possibility.”
“What’s wrong with Warren?” Shawn cried.
Cassie shrugged. “Nothing really. He just doesn’t ring my bells. He might Angie’s, though.”
Shawn leaned back, throwing out his arms in an expansive gesture. “I can introduce you, if you like.”
“Tell me about him first,” Angie said.
“He’s Shawn’s agent,” Cassie explained. “He’s a nice guy.”
“Nice isn’t a word I’d use to describe Warren,” Shawn commented. “He’s a tough negotiator.”
“But a real kitten on the inside,” Cassie said. “He’s also divorced. Recently, if I remember.”
“He and Clare split last year. I don’t know many guys your age who aren’t divorced.”
“That’s reassuring,” Cassie muttered. Warren was the best of the rather shallow pool of Shawn’s male friends and acquaintances. Shallow pools, as everyone knew, were usually the slimiest, too. This was exactly why she’d decided on the matchmaker.
“Warren’s got a couple of kids. His wife has custody.”
“Thanks, big brother, but I’ll stick with Dr. Dodson.”
“I appreciate the suggestion,” Angie said, “but I’ll pass on Warren, too.”
“If I think of anyone else, I’ll give you a call.”
“You do that,” Cassie said, although she didn’t expect he would. “On second thought, phone Angie.”
Chapter 4
Simon says: I can find the right mate for everyone. Even you!
Simon kept Cassie waiting forty-five minutes on her next visit. His assistant, Ms. Snelling, had called the day after her first appointment. It was now Friday. Since she’d been on pins and needles for three whole days, an additional forty-five minutes didn’t bother her. Today would be when he’d announce whether he’d found her a match.
She couldn’t figure out how, based on their brief conversation, Simon would be able to match her up with the perfect man. Maybe, as Angie said, it really was all about his ability as a psychologist, his scientific study of her lengthy questionnaire.
For three nights now, she’d been like a kid at Christmas—only instead of sugar plums dancing around in her head she saw men’s faces. Men who were enthralled with her. Men who’d go through the same insulting rigmarole she had for the chance to meet her. Men who were just as eager for the very things she wanted—a home and family, security, a sense of belonging and a lifetime filled with love. And one of those men would be her perfect match.
“Dr. Dodson will see you now,” Ms. Snelling said in the same crisp tone she’d used on Cassie’s first visit.
Cassie bounded up from the chair as though she’d been ejected. Despite her eagerness, she tried to move slowly and calmly. When she entered his office, she found Simon sitting at his desk.
Without looking up, he gestured for her to sit, too.
Cassie did, perching on the very edge. She didn’t expect an apology for being kept waiting and wasn’t disappointed. When Simon eventually looked up, she noticed streaks of gray in his hair that had escaped her notice previously.
“What are your plans for Christmas?” he asked.
Of all the