The Matchmakers of Butternut Creek by Jane Myers Perrine Read Free Book Online

to run? Probably. Six years younger. The age difference made her feel like a dirty old lady, sitting here, ogling him.
    After the game, she’d put all thoughts of his manly features back in the lockbox in her brain that she bolted securely. For now, she’d allow herself to watch and enjoy. She stood and clapped after Bobby made a spectacular jumping, twisting dunk and joined in the cheers when Adam stole the inbounds pass.
    “Cut,” Adam yelled, and Bree worked her way under the basket for an easy layup.
    “Pops,” Hector shouted after he’d stolen the ball. With a perfect bounce pass, he fed Adam, who made a long shot.
    Then Bobby dribbled inside for a dunk and Mac made a pair of free throws. The game was over, and Butternut Creek had won. Gussie stood and clapped. “Great game,” she shouted.
    Then she very firmly locked up her feelings again.
     
    * * *
    “Time for vespers, guys.” Adam tossed the last of the crumpled-up napkins in the recycle bin.
    “You religious people sure spend a lot of time praying,” Bobby said. “Not that I mind ’cause I know this is a church thing, but wouldn’t one prayer a day pretty much say what you need to? Why not make it a little longer so you get everything in? Or maybe bless all the meals at the same time.”
    “Yeah,” Hector agreed. “I mean you say them at every meal and in the morning and a couple of times at night. I bet you people pray before you take a shower.”
    “Or play basketball,” Bobby added.
    “No, never before a game of basketball.” Adam turned toward the guys. “I don’t pray then because I want the other team to pray while we run all over them.”
    “Pops, that was weak.” Hector finished wiping the tables. When he tossed the dishcloth toward the dish basin with sudsy water, Adam swatted toward it and missed. “See, you can’t even block my shots.”
     
    * * *
    Adam watched Gussie during the group skits later after vespers. What in the world had happened? Her smiles and laughter seemed forced and artificial. When his group had parodied a gospel group singing rap, she looked distracted while everyone else laughed.
    After they’d finished the skits, he caught up to her as she stopped to check her message box. “Hey,” Adam said. “This is a great retreat. Thanks for all the work you do.”
    She glanced at one of the notes in her hand before she looked up at him. “It’s fun, isn’t it?”
    “Something like this can change lives. I hope it has for Hector.”
    “Me, too.”
    “I first considered going into the ministry at summer church camp,” he said at the same time Gussie scanned another message. “Anyway, you look busy. Thanks again and good night.”
    She nodded. “Night.”
     
    * * *
    Gussie could kick herself. It wasn’t Adam’s fault that his presence scared and befuddled her, but she couldn’t allow him or anyone else to see how much he attracted her. For heaven’s sake, she was Gussie Milton, old maid, and she had a yearning for this…this kid . Not that she planned to jump his bones—where had that phrase come from?—although the idea didn’t horrify her as much as she’d thought it might.
    But the attraction didn’t mean she should behave rudely, even if she had no idea how to act. She called after him, “Loved your group’s skit.”
    He turned, waved, and walked away.
     
    * * *
    After the closing prayer Sunday morning, Adam picked up his bag to stow it in the van. As he turned back toward the dispersing youth, he noticed that Hector had picked up Bree’s duffel bag.
    Well, well, well. A romance? Not that he’d kid either Hector or Bree. He figured Bobby and Mac would take care of embarrassing them.
    Once everyone had settled in, he checked on the seating. Bree and Hector shared the back bench. Bobby and Mac took the chairs, and Adam drove alone. Just as well. The kids would fall asleep anyway and be useless in keeping him awake.
    As he started the van he glanced at the crowd, searching for Gussie.