Merry and Bright

by Debbie Macomber

  —

  By the time he left the office, Jayson discovered only a few staff voluntarily stayed behind to work the overtime hours that had been approved to finish this Boeing contract on time. It wasn’t mandatory on Friday night, and Jayson appreciated those who were willing to work when it wasn’t required.

  As he headed toward his condo, Jayson couldn’t help but think back to the website and to the woman behind the dog. He wanted to know more. His curiosity got the best of him and he spent an hour filling out the questionnaire. Even as he filled in the answers, he suspected it would be a complete waste of time. When it came to inserting his photograph, he found an old photo of Rocky and posted it.

  Pleased with himself, he shut down his laptop. Maybe later, if he felt like it, he’d send Merry Smith a message and see how it played out.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Merry

  It was after seven by the time Merry arrived home from work the following Monday. As soon as she walked into the kitchen, Patrick looked up from the laptop on the table and shot her a wide, happy grin.

  “Merry, you got a wink on Mix & Mingle! His name is Jay and he likes you.”

  Not wanting to disappoint her brother, Merry swallowed a groan. As a matter of fact, she’d received several “winks” on the dating website, most of which told humorous tales of having dated other dogs. But in the end, the winks told Merry they weren’t interested in actually meeting her. Why these men even bothered to contact her remained a mystery—one she would rather not explore. In a way, her mother had been right. Putting up the photo of Bogie helped filter out those who would be a poor match. Those heartless winks told her as much.

  Robin Knight sat in the family room. “This guy looks promising,” she called out in a happy, singsong voice.

  Patrick nodded enthusiastically. “If you look at his photo, you’ll like him, too,” her brother insisted, his eyes twinkling with delight. Bogie, his faithful companion, was at his side and stared up at the computer screen alongside Patrick. Bogie cocked his head to one side as if intrigued himself.

  “Give me a minute to unwind,” Merry pleaded.

  “You need to answer him,” Patrick insisted.

  “Later…okay?”

  “Do it now,” her brother tried again, his eyes wide and hopeful. “Just look at his picture.”

  Merry glanced over and blinked. Twice. “He sent the picture of a dog?”

  “It’s a handsome dog. A golden retriever like Bogie.”

  Her mother gave her the look. It was one Merry had learned to recognize—the look that said if Merry didn’t follow through, then she would be disappointing Patrick.

  “I like Jay,” Patrick said.

  “Okay, okay,” Merry muttered, giving in. No wonder her family was intrigued, and she had to admit that now she was, too.

  After heating up leftover meatloaf and scalloped potatoes, Merry sat down next to Patrick, prepared to send her first message.

  “What should I say?” she asked her brother, seeking inspiration.

  Patrick mulled over the question. “Tell him you like his photo.”

  Merry grinned and set her fingers on the keyboard and typed.

  Bow wow.

  Along with her message, the picture of Bogie showed up on the screen so he’d know it was her.

  Patrick read Merry’s message and laughed.

  Almost right away a response came through, as if he’d been sitting in front of his computer, waiting for her.

  Bow wow back.

  You have a dog, too?

  Not anymore. The photo is of Rocky. Had him as a teenager. He died while I was away at college. Still miss him.

  You didn’t get another dog?

  No. Hate to leave one cooped up in a condo all day. Not fair to him.

  I agree. Bogie is a family dog.

  You done this dating-website thing before?

  Never. A first for me. You?

  Me, neither. Feeling a little foolish, actually.

  Understand. Me, too.

  Patrick continued to sit at Merry’s side and read their exchange. “Tell him that Mom and I signed you up for your birthday gift.”

  “Okay.”

  My teenage brother signed me up for this as a birthday gift.

  Something you wanted?

  Yes and no. Busy with work. Don’t have time for a social life.

  Same here.

  What prompted you to sign up on Mix & Mingle?

  Best friend met the love of his life on here. Curiosity got the better of me. Figured it’d be a waste of time.

  Then what made you go through with it?

  You.

  Me?

  The answer made Merry sit up and take notice.

  Delighted, Patrick clapped his hands. “Mom and I did good, didn’t we?”

  “Looks that way,” Merry agreed.

  You and the photo of your dog. Reminded me of Rocky.

  Merry paused to take a bite of her dinner. Before she could respond, Jay sent another note.

  Your profile intrigued me.

  Remember, my brother is the one who filled it out. I have to admit, I didn’t read it over.

  You don’t know if it’s true or not?

  Oh, I’m sure it is true. Patrick is honest to a fault.

  “Tell him I’m special,” her brother said, leaning forward and balancing his elbows on the tabletop.

  “Okay, okay.”

  Patrick wants me to tell you he’s “special,” if you know what I mean. He’s a great kid and works at a local grocery store.

  A pause followed, as if Jay was trying to read between the lines.

  How old is Patrick?

  He’s eighteen/twelve.

  Gotcha.

  Worked ten hours today. It’s time for a hot bath and bed.

  Hear you. Would you like to chat again?

  Merry read the line twice.

  “Tell him yes,” Patrick urged. “He didn’t make any bad jokes about you being a dog or anything.”

  Bogie seemed to agree. He rested his chin on Merry’s thigh as though to urge her.

  Sure. When?

  Tomorrow night. Same time?

  Okay.

  Merry closed the computer and leaned back in the chair.

  “Well, what do you think?” her mother asked.

  Merry was surprised to realize she was interested in getting to know Jay better. When she’d learned what her mother and Patrick had done, she’d been convinced it had been a waste of time and their limited funds. She never expected anything to come of it. And it very well might not. She’d chatted with one guy. Just one. The other “winks” were from men she wouldn’t seriously consider meeting.

  —

  Merry got out of the office later than normal on Tuesday night. She’d told her new Mix & Mingle friend, Jay, that they could connect around the same time, and she was thirty minutes behind schedule. Being on time had been drilled into her from when she was young, and she hated the thought of being late. For Jay. For anyone.

  Rushing in the front door, she shucked off her coat and headed to the kitchen to find both her mother and Patrick leaning over the laptop set up on the round table.

  “I need to log on for Jay,” she said, anxious now.

  “Patrick and I are talking to him,” her mother said, looking pleased with herself.

  “What?” Her fear was that they were pretending to be her, which would be disastrous. She could only imagine what they would say, and she inwardly groaned.

  “No, no—Patrick and I let Jay know it was us. We didn’t want to keep him waiting,” her mother explained, as if she was only doing what was necessary. “Otherwise he might think you aren’t interested, and you are.”

  Merry was anxious to chat with Jay again. “What did you tell him?”

  “Nothing much. Just that you had texted to say that you were late getting out of the office.”

  Her heart was pounding as Patrick slid out of his chair for her to get in front of the
computer. “You can take over now.”

  “Thanks.”

  “I like him, Merry,” her mother said. “He seems polite and nice.”

  Having her mother and Patrick’s seal of approval went a long way toward making her more comfortable with Jay.

  I just stepped in the door. So sorry to be late.

  Enjoyed the chat with your mom and Patrick. They sang your praises.

  Don’t believe everything they said. On second thought, please do. I’m tall, thin, and gorgeous. That’s what they said, right?

  Close. Were you out Christmas shopping?

  No, work again. Mandatory overtime.

  Same. I’m still at the office.

  Oh no. Hope you don’t have a long commute.

  Not at all.

  Good.

  Good day for you?

  Fairly good. Not a fan of my boss and grateful I didn’t see him today. I think he might be out of the office. How about you?

  Meetings all day. Found my thoughts drifting a few times, thinking about our chat. Gave me something to look forward to this evening.

  I felt the same way.

  —

  Merry sat at her computer for an hour as they typed messages back and forth. He asked and answered question after question. From his responses, she could see that he was becoming more relaxed with her. She was beginning to be more at ease with him, too.

  —

  Wednesday night Merry spent another hour online with Jay. This time she took the laptop into her bedroom and sat on her bed with her back against her headboard and the computer balanced on her lap as she typed away. About thirty minutes into their exchange, Patrick knocked on her bedroom door.

  “Yeah?”

  Her brother stuck his head into her room. “Tell Jay I said hello. Okay?”

  “Okay.” Her fingers flew across the keys.

  Patrick wants me to tell you hello. Of all the men who winked at me, he likes you the best.

  You got a lot of winks?

  A few. She didn’t mention they were mostly making fun of her dog picture with no real interest in her. You?

  A few.

  More than three?

  Way more.

  Really. How many is way more? Four?

  Ha, ha.

  Okay, I give up. How many?

  A dozen.

  That’s a joke, right?

  Hey, a handsome guy like myself is a real find.

  Merry couldn’t keep the smile off her face.

  After an hour had passed, they set an earlier time for Friday to chat again.

  —

  All day Friday Merry found herself glancing at the clock every few minutes as it neared five o’clock. She didn’t want to be late the way she had been on Tuesday. Thankfully, her boss had made Fridays an exception to the mandatory overtime. The minute it was five o’clock, Merry started clearing off her desk, eager to escape.

  Kylie, one of the other data entry workers, was in an even bigger rush to get out of the office.

  “How’s Palmer today?” Merry asked.

  Kylie’s three-year-old, Palmer, had come down with the flu and she’d been up half the night with him. She’d phoned in sick, but when Jayson Bright got wind that the department was one person short, he’d come unglued. Not that he’d shouted or made a scene. That wasn’t his way. He’d personally contacted Kylie and explained that it was vital that this report be finished before Christmas. She was needed at the office and he wasn’t willing to accept excuses. Her son would be perfectly fine with a babysitter.

  Kylie had tried to argue, but the heartless Mr. Bright had given her the choice: a babysitter for her son or her job. Fortunately, at the last minute Kylie’s mother had been able to look after the little boy.

  Merry had been angry on Kylie’s behalf. As far as she was concerned, the man was heartless and unreasonable and had his priorities askew. Even worse, he wouldn’t allow personal phone calls on company time. While that was standard for most workplaces, extenuating circumstances did occur, like a sick three-year-old.

  Kylie had her phone pressed to her ear, checking up on her son, as she raced toward the elevator ahead of Merry and Lauren, who sat at the desk closest to Merry.

  For that matter, Merry was in a hurry to get away herself.

  “Hey, what’s the big rush?” Lauren asked. “You got a hot Friday-night date?”

  “Sort of.” Merry grabbed her purse from beneath her desk and slung the strap over her shoulder.

  “How do you sort of have a hot date?”

  “I’m talking to a guy I met online.”

  Lauren whistled softly. “Oh yeah. Where’s all that complaining and grumbling you did after your mom and Patrick signed you up for that dating site? I see you’re singing a different tune now.”

  “This guy sounds great.”

  Lauren had yet to be convinced this was a good way to meet somebody. At forty-five, she’d been divorced ten years and had given up on men and romance. “Sounds great?”

  “Yeah, his profile picture was a golden retriever, too.”

  “You mean to say you don’t know what he looks like?”

  “No,” Merry said, unruffled by her friend’s concern. “Remember, he doesn’t know what I look like, either, so we’re both taking a chance.”

  Lauren remained skeptical. “He could be fat and fifty.”

  “He isn’t.” Merry wasn’t sure why she was so confident of this. Jay sounded young, and he hit all the right notes with her. She chose to believe he was everything he said he was.

  Lauren squinted her eyes. “How do you know?”

  Unable to explain her gut feeling, Merry shrugged. “I can tell.”

  “Has he suggested you meet yet?” Lauren asked as they walked to the elevator.

  “No.” But she hadn’t, either. They were in the getting-to-know-you stage. No need to rush this, especially when they both seemed to be heavily involved with work.

  Lauren arched her finely trimmed eyebrows as if that said it all.

  “You’re far too skeptical,” Merry complained as she pressed the down button. “We’ve only messaged a few times. It’s too early. I want to know more about him before I’m willing to do a face-to-face.” Although he hadn’t said it, Merry was sure Jay felt the same way. It was far too soon in their relationship.

  The elevator door slipped open and Merry and Lauren stepped inside. Lauren pushed the button for the lobby.

  “Hold that door,” Jayson Bright shouted as he raced across the floor, weaving his way around desks while shoving his arm into the sleeve of his three-quarter-length raincoat.

  This was the man who had been unrelenting when it came to these long mandatory hours of overtime. He’d been unwilling to listen to excuses for time off. Even for a sick child.

  Heartless.

  Demanding.

  Unreasonable.

  If it was up to Merry she would have let the elevator door close in his face.

  Lauren apparently didn’t share her dislike of their boss. She thrust out her arm, which caused the automatic door to glide back open.

  “Thanks.” Jayson Bright joined them.

  Standing behind him, Merry made a face. She put her thumbs in her ears and wiggled them back and forth while sticking out her tongue at him.

  Stifling a giggle, Lauren cupped her hand over her mouth.

  One floor down, the elevator stopped again. Jayson stepped aside to allow more employees to get on, and then impatiently pushed the button for the lobby.

  Merry arched her brows at her friend. He seemed to be in an almighty hurry.

  As soon as the elevator hit the floor, Jayson shot out like he was being chased.

  “Maybe he’s got a hot date tonight,” Lauren commented as they walked out of the building and toward the bus stop.

  “Doubt it,” Merry murmured. “I can’t imagine any woman in her right mind being attracted to him.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Jayson

  Jayson couldn’t
get out of the office fast enough. He’d enjoyed every minute he’d spent messaging with Merry this week. He had yet to even ask for her real name. For that matter, he hadn’t divulged his full name, either.

  Not important.

  Not necessary.

  He preferred she have no idea who he was. To Merry, he was just an overworked office employee not unlike herself. They’d exchanged a lot of personal information, including memories of their childhoods. He’d learned Merry lived with her parents and brother and that she worked in downtown Seattle, the same as he did. She was about as apple-pie as she could be, and he appreciated that. Her youth had been vastly different from his own. She’d had stability and love. Both she and her brother were cherished by their parents.

  By contrast, Jayson had been used by his mother to manipulate his father. Precious little love had ever existed between them, and not near enough was left over to nurture him. He’d spent much of his childhood in boarding schools and summer camps with Cooper. For most of his childhood, when he was with family, he’d been shuffled around between his parents. Neither one wanted him. Neither one showed much interest in his emotional well-being. If it wasn’t for caring teachers and a few good friends, he wondered what might have become of him.

  His uncle, for whatever reason, had never married and had no children. All Matthew Matterson’s energy had gone into building his consulting firm. He realized Jayson possessed the same drive and ambition, so he’d taken his nephew under his wing after college. Looking to prove his worth, Jayson had approached the job with an all-consuming passion that allowed him to climb to the position of vice president of the firm.

  Merry was his first distraction in a long time. He should be thinking more about this contract with Boeing than spending time online chatting with her, but at this point his work hadn’t suffered due to their budding relationship. He had to say, though, he found himself looking at the clock far more often than he ever had before, calculating how many hours it would be until they could chat again.