Read Online Matchmakers 2.0 (A Novel Nibbles title) by Debora Geary - Free Book Online Page B

books for walls.”  He wasn’t kidding.  There were books everywhere.  Almost everywhere.  He hadn’t committed the unforgiveable sin of covering up his exposed-brick walls, but pretty much nothing else was sacred.
    “Ever considered getting a Kindle?”
    He looked around.  “I have two.  Somewhere.  And a Nook, and an iPad.  I use them to check the formatting for the electronic versions of my books before I publish them.”
    “Ever consider using them to actually read a book?”
    “Not fond of my interior decorating?”
     “Books, the new paint.” I grinned, and swatted at the hands that were trying to sneak my avocado slices.  “I like your books just fine, but if you want to read any more, you’re going to need to buy the unit next door.”
    He perked up.  “Is it for sale?”  This from the guy I’d worried was a struggling writer.  The unit next door would go for about half-a-million dollars.
    “Not as far as I know, which is why I’m thinking you should dig up your electronic book device of choice.  Storing books in your oven is a fire hazard, and you don’t have many other choices left.”
    “Totally not a fire hazard in my house. I don’t think I’ve ever turned on the oven.”  He looked hopeful.  “Will you bake cookies for me?  I’ll take the books out if you will.”
    Time to show the man how to fish.  “I’ll teach you how to bake cookies.  First lesson after dinner.  Grab a couple of bowls, will you?”
    Being with Sam was really easy.  Old-friend kind of easy, with some nice hormonal tingles added on top.  I could get really, really used to this.
    He carried two beers to the table and sat down across from me. 
    Then, a herd of elephants knocked on his door.  I could hear the small-child squeals even before Sam let in the hordes.
    “Uncle Sam, Uncle Sam, tomorrow is our birthday!”  This was said in unison by the two cute creatures trying to climb up his legs.  “Mom’s parking the van; she’ll be up in a minute.”
    Sam picked up one of the girls and kissed her.  “Was I expecting you?”
    “Nah.  We’re a surprise.  Mom said you’re never doing anything on Friday nights, so it would be okay.  It’s okay, right?”
    The female version of Sam walked in the door.  “Hey, Sam.  The natives were restless, so I brought them over to trash your place, instead of ours.”
    Sam nodded in my direction.  “Heidi, meet Mick.  Mick, this is my sister who never calls before she drops by.  She doesn’t think I have a real job or a social life.”
    One of the girls giggled and grinned at me.  “Uncle Sam writes books about kissing and yucky stuff like that. Hi, I’m Lindy.  This is Rowan.”
    Heidi was shifting from shocked to amused.  “You have a date?”
    “Ssh,” said Sam.  “You’re making me look bad here.”
    She made an apologetic face at me.  “So sorry to interrupt.  Has Sam told you about these menaces?”
    “Until a moment ago, she was believing the abandoned-child-of-aliens story,” said Sam.  “You have awesome timing, sis.”
    Lindy came and sat beside me.  “Are you helping Uncle Sam with his books?”  Heidi and Sam both cracked up.  Thanks a lot, guys.
    “Nope.  I cooked dinner.”
    Heidi sobered up a little.  “You cook?  Has Sam asked you to marry him yet?”
    “Only once, but he hasn’t tried the food yet.  There’s plenty, if you want some.  It’s Thai curry.”
    Heidi beelined for the stove.  The pint-sized inquisition continued.  “How come you’re cooking for Uncle Sam?”  I was going to be in over my head really soon.
    “We went to a baseball game, and we got hungry.”
    Lindy frowned.  “The Bulls lost.  They shouldn’t have pulled the pitcher.”  Oh, thank goodness.  Stable ground. 
    “That’s what I think.  Your Uncle Sam disagrees.”
    “Come on,” said Sam.  “It was the umpire’s fault; he called everything a strike.”
    “Yeah,” said Rowan.  “But if we’d left our