Kissing Kendall by Jennifer Shirk Page A

what it was like living with a police officer, since her father was one; she was used to the danger and could live with the risks. Plus, Georgie obviously thought a lot of Brandi to pair her with her brother. Kendall had no right to come between them.
    She took a deep breath. “Um, Georgie, would you happen to…uh, have any of those matchmaking skills left in that little bag of tricks for me?”
    Dee and Georgie whipped their heads in her direction and stared at her in stunned silence.
    “Oh my gosh, did you just say what I thought you said?” Georgie finally asked breathlessly.
    There was no turning back now. “Well…yeah. I guess. Do you think I’m ready?”
    Georgie’s expression softened as she reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Oh, honey. Only you can answer that for sure. But you’ll never know unless you try. You might surprise yourself.”
    She nodded. Right. She had to try, but she also needed to be careful and protect her heart in the process. “But I would like someone…” She paused, looking for the proper phrasing. “I want someone…” Safe? Careful? Not a daredevil? A couch potato? “I don’t want to be set up with a firefighter or anything like that. Do you know what I mean?”
    After a moment, a dawning of understanding showed in Georgie’s eyes. “Yeah,” she said kindly. “I think I can manage that.”
    Kendall smiled. “Then…go ahead and match me up.”
    “That’s great, Kendall,” Dee said, clasping her hands together in anticipation. “I can’t believe you’re really doing this.”
    Georgie’s brows came down in a hard V. “You’re not kidding, right?” she asked, shaking a finger at her. “You’re completely serious? Because I don’t think my baby or I would be able to handle the disappointment if you suddenly changed your mind.”
    Kendall laughed. “No, I’m sure. Cross my heart.”
    “Great.” A crafty smile slipped onto Georgie’s lips as she began rubbing her hands together. “I just so happen to have a list here with me,” she said, reaching into her pocket and holding up a crumpled piece of paper.
    Kendall and Dee exchanged surprised glances. “You carry a list of eligible bachelors with you at all times?” Dee asked, blinking.
    Georgie shrugged. “Hey, you never know when the opportunity to use it will arise. Such as now. See? It always pays to be prepared.”
    “Who do you have on that list?” Kendall asked, wary.
    Georgie scanned the paper, then looked up. “How about Eric Meadows?”
    Dee snorted. “Pass.”
    Kendall looked at Dee. “Pass?”
    “ Big time pass. Eric’s in jail for tax evasion.”
    Kendall shot Georgie a horrified look. “For goodness’ sake, Georgie! What are you doing trying to set me up with convicts?”
    Georgie held up a hand. “Okay, okay, calm down. A little blip on my part, but not to worry, I have more men up my sleeve.” She bent her head and went back to studying the list. “Hmm…” she said after a minute. “Now that I think about it, I have been holding on to this paper for a while. Maybe this thing needs updating.”
    Dee smirked. “Wow, you think?”
    Suddenly Georgie’s head snapped up, her eyes widening in excitement. “Hey, wait a minute, forget the list! I have the perfect guy for you, Kendall. In fact, he came in to the pharmacy and talked about you just the other day.”
    Kendall’s cheeks grew hot. A man had actually been talking about her to Georgie? Suddenly she felt as if she’d transcended time and gone back to eighth grade all over again. “Really?”
    “Who is he?” Dee asked.
    Georgie straightened her shoulders. “Richard Caldwell,” she announced proudly, as if the name said it all.
    Dee and Kendall glanced at each other and shrugged. Kendall turned back to Georgie with a frown. “Who’s Richard Caldwell? Should I know him?”
    “You sure should know him, considering he’s one of Brad’s friends and just recently did some plumbing work for you free of