“Weare,”Grahamsaid.
ThenGraham’seyes shifted from him and babyHopeto his left, so he turned to see what had pulledGraham’sattention.Kelliwas watching him with a curious expression on her face.Shesmiled when their eyes met, and he held her gaze for a moment—long enough that he was sure thatGrahamwould ask about the two of them, but he didn’t.Theman just looked down, like he was trying to hide a smile.
WhenGrahamraised his head again, he looked to the sky. “Beautifulweather, isn’t it?”
Parkernodded, keeping his eyes on the baby.
“Acold front is supposed to blow in later tonight, though, and there’s a chance of snow if you can believe it.Sowe might get a whiteChristmaseven on the beach.”
ThistimeParkerdid look up.Thatwas too bad; he had been hoping thatChristmaswould be very unlike the snow he was used to having atChristmastime.
Whenthe train full of kids came around the second time, he figured he really should get back to work.Hereluctantly passed the baby back toGraham, and the proud parents went to show off their baby to the rest of theZentCubeemployees.HefiguredMeritwould go with them, but he stayed and helped get the next group of kids onto the train.
Oncethe train pulled away,Meritnodded over atKelli, who was now fawning over the baby herself. “Howare things going with you two?”
Parkerflinched in surprise at the question.Hehadn’t realized thatMerithad witnessed his silent exchange withKelli, too. “Um, fine?”
Meritlooked back atParker. “Youlike her then?”
“Somuch more thanIshould.”
Meritshook his head, chuckling. “Grahamreally does have a gift.”
“Whatdo you mean?”
“Hecan...”Meritlooked up like he was trying to find a way to explain. “It’slike he can see connections between people, even if they’ve never met each other.It’shelpful when you’re negotiating contracts with other companies, andZentCubewouldn’t be where it’s at without him.Buthe has an uncanny ability to tell when two people have happily-ever-after potential.”
Parkerjust stared atMerit, not fully taking in what he was trying to say.
Meritglanced toward another part of the village, smiling, andParkersuddenly wondered if that was whereElisewas currently. “Grahamneeded to send me on vacation—long story—and he chose here because ofElise.Ihadn’t even met her yet, and he knew.”
“That’sactually pretty sweet.Andhelpful.”
Hechuckled. “Yeah.Evenif it feels anything but when he makes you take a break from the company.Buthe didn’t only do it for me.Evenif you don’t see all of it, he knows the people in our company pretty well, and he keeps a list of people he’d like to bring on this trip.Thenhe just hopes they’re free overChristmas.Someof them get recommended by their managers, and some he specifically asks the managers to check on.”
“Heuses theChristmastrip to set people up on dates?”
“Nah.Hedoesn’t like to meddle like that.He’salways confident enough in the connection he sees that he figures all he needs to do is get the two people in a place where they can interact and magic will happen.”
“Anddoes it?”
“Alot of times, yes.It’shis goal that whoever comes to this won’t be alone the nextChristmas.Theyrarely are.”
Parkerstared off at the ocean, blown away. “He’sgot that good of a track record?”
Meritnodded.
“I’mnot sure why he broughtmehere, then—I’mtoo flawed.AndIjust got out of a serious relationship at the beginning ofOctober.I’mnot exactly the kind of person you can set up with someone and expect a successful happily ever after.”
“Grahamhas had both you andKellion his list since lastChristmas.”
Parkerdrew back in surprise. “Buthe metStephanieat theChristmasparty last year.Didhe not knowIwas engaged?”
“Heknew.”
Parker’seyes flew toMerit.
“Youbrought her to the summer social, too.”MeritstudiedParker’sexpression, which he guessed was showing something close to bewilderment. “Hetalked to both of you enough to know that the connection between you and her wasn’t right, and he was hoping you’d figure it out before this trip.”Meritstudied him cautiously before carefully adding, “Becausehe also saw a connection that was right between you andKelli.”
