Chapter 1

Chapter One

MATCH FOUND!

Melissa looked at the flashing notification and gasped.

“Is everything okay, miss?” a kind, older voice asked behind her.

Turning to see a gray-haired woman dressed in green and red with jingle-bell earrings leaning on a cart, Melissa pulled herself together. She had to grin at the holiday display despite her mind whirling around in her head. “Yes. Thank you. Just a notice that something I’ve wanted forever is available now.”

“That is exciting. Say… you work for a company that takes care of pet waste?” the woman asked.

“I do. Tami’s Canine Poo Service.”

“Are you Tami?”

“No, I’m Melissa. I work for Tami. She’s amazing.”

“Do you have a card? I have a couple of dogs and it’s tough for me to walk around in the uneven grass these days,” the woman shared, jostling a cane that hung from the front of the shopping cart.

“I’d love to help you.” Melissa opened the fanny pack she always wore and pulled out a card. “Here’s one. You can find the rates online or call Tami.”

“I don’t do anything online, miss. It’s too confusing,” the woman admitted as she took the card.

“Tami’s your best bet, then. She’s super sweet!” Melissa assured her before turning back to the cashier to pay for her groceries.

“What an interesting job,” the cashier said, obviously overhearing the conversation. “How do you get a job like that?”

“I was lucky. A woman in my apartment complex owns it. We were friendly and when I lost my job, she hired me. Best job ever!”

“I’d love to have a job like that. I have a dog of my own and pet sit for my neighbors when they’re gone,” the cashier said.

Melissa stopped and looked at her nametag. Debbie. There were small stickers decorating the outer edges of the rectangular store logo: a teddy bear, a smiling dog, a sleeping cat, and a pink scooter. She grinned at Debbie. “I love your stickers.”

Debbie rolled her eyes. “I’m in trouble for them. They’re making me a new nametag, and I have to pay for it because these won’t come off.”

“That sucks. Sorry.”

“Could I have one of those cards, too? I’d love to see if your boss is hiring,” Debbie asked.

“Sure. Good luck.” Melissa handed it over before paying for her items and picking up her bag. She waved at the two women she’d talked to before walking toward the exit. Her phone buzzed, and she realized, somehow, she’d forgotten the notification.

“Crap!”

Melissa dashed to her car and made herself stow her food carefully before collapsing into the driver’s seat. She didn’t want to eat mangled bread all next week. Every extra penny she didn’t spend went into her planned move. Even though she hated the crusts, Melissa would eat them. She’d just ignore the fact they tasted like the dog biscuits Tami bought for all their clients. Not that she’d tried those…

Checking her phone, Melissa hoped she hadn’t imagined the message. She opened the PLAYTIME app. She’d downloaded it a few weeks ago after filling out information online.

Match Found.

The bright red letters stared back at her. Melissa’s heart started beating faster. PLAYTIME had found her Daddy. Reaching one finger toward the screen, Melissa tried to prepare herself in case it was wrong. That one touch yielded a face and a name.

“He’s so handsome!” she said out loud.

A loud horn-burst behind her made Melissa jump. Someone wanted her parking spot. So much for holiday spirit and goodwill. Operating on autopilot, Melissa started the car and carefully backed out. She pulled into a bare spot at the far end of the parking lot to look at the app again.

Rocky Harrison. She memorized his picture. He had light-brown hair that she bet would turn blond if he was out in the sun. His deep brown eyes seemed to look inside her and had crinkles in the skin at the outside corners as if he smiled a lot. He was like an eleven on a scale of hotness. There was no way he matched with her.

Her phone buzzed in her hand, startling her, and she juggled the device.

“Melissa? This is Rocky.”

Somehow, Melissa must have accepted the call. She stared at the screen, too scared to answer.

“Melissa. I must have surprised you. Can you say hello so I’ll know you’re there?” His voice was calm and unruffled by her silence.

“Hi!” she squeaked.

“There you are. Hi, Melissa. I’m very excited to meet you. Are you busy now?”

“I have three more yards to clean today.”

“That sounds interesting. Would you like to get together when you’re finished?” Rocky asked.

“I think there must be a mistake. I’m not a good match for you,” Melissa blurted.

“You’re not? Why?” Rocky asked.

Melissa stared at the phone, trying to figure out how she could tell him he was way out of her league.

“Melissa, do you believe that the PLAYTIME app can help people find a Daddy, Mommy, or a Little?” Rocky asked.

She nodded.

“Use your words, little girl.”

“Sorry. Yes, I think the app can work. It’s matched a bunch of people,” Melissa shared.

“Then we have to trust the process. It’s worth meeting at least once, right?”

“I guess. I don’t want to waste your time.”

“Somehow, I know meeting you is the best use of my schedule possible. When will you finish work? At five?” Rocky asked. “How about if you meet me at Romano’s for dinner?”

“I’ll have to shower first. My job is pretty dirty.”

“I can’t wait to hear about it. I’ll see you at six at Romano’s,” Rocky said firmly.

Melissa hesitated for a minute before blurting, “I’m scared.”

“I know, little girl. That’s why we’re meeting at Romano’s. There will be others around us. Can you be brave?”

“Yes.” Melissa said that confidently and knew at five-fifty her attitude would be totally different.

“Thank you, Melissa.”

She looked at the screen after they’d said their goodbyes. Everything felt so different. Melissa wanted to sit there and look at his picture, but her watch beeped. She should have already been at her next client’s home.

Closing the app, she tucked her phone in her fanny pack and forced herself to concentrate on her work assignments. Tami was counting on her, and Melissa had big plans for the future.