Page 37 of Chasing Kaylee Kringle

“I thought so. We don’t have many people who are familiar with Darigold. Most of them just think eggnog is eggnog.”

“Honestly, I would’ve been one of those people had Kaylee not pointed out to me how good this stuff is.”

“Yeah, the tourists come in and buy what’s cheap. We don’t usually put it out when there’s an influx. We save it for the locals.”

“I can understand. Thanks again for your help.”

“Good morning, gentleman,” a shaky, elderly voice called, followed by the tap of a cane. Rick turned around to find a woman with silver curls and a stooped back hobbling toward them, her cane hitting the floor with unnecessary force.

“Good morning, Jolene,” Sean said, backing away slowly.

“Sean.” The guy seemed relieved when the old woman swung Rick’s way and Sean disappeared into the back again.

Her shrewd expression swept over him. “Young man, who are you?”

“My name is Rick Diaz.”

“I’m Jolene, and I’d appreciate it if you’d let me accompany you while you shop.”

Something about her tone made him think this wasn’t a request. “Sure, Jolene, I’m just getting a few more things. Mostly snacks.”

“You should get a few steaks and potatoes.” She patted his arm before falling into step beside him as he pushed the cart, her cane tapping away as they moved. “Handsome guy like you needs to eat protein.”

“Believe me, I eat a lot of protein.” He nodded toward two men who spotted them coming and practically flung themselves down an aisle to hide. “Do you scare everyone in town?”

“Just the young ones. They’re afraid I might set them up with their future wife.” She cackled loudly, and a few people turned, saw her, and hurried away.

“Come again?”

She pulled a card out of her blouse pocket and handed it to him. “I’m a matchmaker. My ancestors came over from Ireland, and they would match lonely ranchers and miners with women who wanted to go west or were immigrating to America. This town was built on arranged marriages, and I’ve managed to make quite a few love matches in my time.”

Rick smiled. “You’re not getting any ideas about me, are you?”

“I think you’re well on your way to finding what you’re looking for,” she said cryptically, and Rick frowned.

“It’s not love that I’m looking for.” It’s justice.

“Sometimes, even when we’re not looking for something, we find it.”

Rick didn’t argue with the older woman because he didn’t think it would do any good. When they finished shopping and reached the front of the store, Rick recognized Austin from the town meeting as he approached Jolene, frowning. “Grandma. I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”

“I was just doing some shopping with my new friend, Rick.” Jolene waved her hand between them, adding, “Rick, this is my grandson, Austin. This is Rick. He’s a friend of Kaylee’s.”

Austin shook Rick’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you. Grandma, we really need to go. We’re going to be late for your appointment.”

“All right, dear. I’ll see you soon, Rick,” she said, letting her grandson take her arm and lead her toward the door.

Rick checked out, thinking how strange it was that Jolene didn’t have any qualms about doling out advice like a stick of gum. He’d seen this kind of behavior in TV and movies, but in the town he grew up in, there were no matchmaking efforts or people looking out for one another. It was more like “Mind your own business” or “snitches get stitches.”

His upbringing led him to pursue a career in law enforcement, which eventually led him to the FBI. Before she died, his abuela’s identity had been stolen, and the thieves had racked up thousands of dollars in purchases. It was one of the reasons his mom had been so determined to sell everything, including her house, because by the time they realized what had happened, creditors were coming after them for the money. They’d gotten it sorted out, but they hadn’t been able to catch all the people who had run his favorite person’s credit into the ground.

Rick loaded up his groceries and headed back to Kaylee’s house. When he walked through the door with his bags, Pumpkin started chirping until he realized it was Rick, and then he stopped.

“Oh, so now we’re not friends anymore because I touched your mama?”

The guinea pig chattered in response.

Kaylee came out of the back bedroom in a red long-sleeved dress and black boots that stopped just below her knees. The dress hugged her chest and waist, flaring out at the hips. The collar was gathered at the neck, and she’d curled her hair—the rich, brown waves brushed forward.