His Holiday Matchmaker. Kat Brookes

      “It’s a little hard not to,” she said. “Your brother was all smiles and politeness when we first met, but the second he found out I was gonna be helping with the interior design portion of the recreation center, his demeanor toward me did a complete one-eighty.”

      “I’ll talk to him,” he assured her with a kind smile.

      “I’d appreciate it. I truly do want the same thing you all do,” Alyssa said. “To help give this town back some of what it lost in that storm.”

      “Miss McCall!” The high-pitched shriek echoed off the unpainted walls.

      Alyssa glanced back over her shoulder to see Katie Cooper hurrying in her direction, the little girl’s limp slightly more pronounced than it had been the evening before. “Katie,” she said with a smile. “What a surprise finding you here this morning.”

      “Daddy just told me you were here. He had to bring me to work with him today.”

      “He did?” she said in surprise. “Is your mommy sick?”

      “No,” she replied, her beautiful smile sagging. “She went to Heaven with Grammy and Pappy.”

      Alyssa’s heart wrenched. She’d assumed the day before that her father was divorced. Not for a second had she ever considered the possibility that he was widowed. Not at his age. She couldn’t manage any kind of response. How could she when she had no idea what to say? Instead, she offered up a silent prayer for the Lord to watch over this dear, sweet, motherless child. And her father, as well.

      “Hey, Katydid,” Carter said from behind Alyssa, breaking the uncomfortable silence. “How would you like to give Miss McCall here a tour around the rec center?”

      The little girl’s face lit up once again. “Sure!”

      Alyssa flashed him a grateful smile for saving the moment. Her heart ached for Katie. So very young to have lost her mother.

      “You can hang your coat over there,” Katie said. Her earlier bright smile back in place.