Bitsy held on to her black hair bow against a stiff gust of wind. “It took me a long time to get over Jim’s death.”
“Longer than a year?” That note in Lola’s voice…Was it loneliness?
Mims glanced back. Lola’s eyes were wide and a bit teary.
Bitsy was nodding. “And do you know what finally made the pain ease?”
Mims’s toe caught on the pavement. She turned back around before she could fall and break a hip.
“No,” Lola said. “What?”
“I met my second husband, Terry.”
Mims was reminded why the Matchmakers Club existed—to help women find true love. If only Edith would fall for a man’s charms, then Mims could help Lola find a new purpose in life.
“I don’t think a new man can answer the questions left by my old one.” Lola’s voice was firm.
“Sometimes a new man makes the old questions less important,” Bitsy soothed as they reached the department store’s doors.
Only then did Mims realize Edith had been unusually silent. She hoped she got the message Bitsy was sending: Love heals.
A distinguished-looking gentleman wearing a crisp shirt the same color as his white hair and a plain burgundy tie unlocked the glass door for them and held it open. Sonny Baker always made a good first impression. He wore glossy black loafers, a big shiny watch, and a lady-killer smile. If he couldn’t charm Edith out of the Widows Club, no man could.
“My girls!” He hugged the board, complimenting each woman. Bitsy on her ruffled silk blouse. Clarice on her comfortable shoes. Mims on the pink purse she’d bought used online. “And who are these two lovely ladies?”
“Two of our models.” Mims introduced Edith and Lola.
“Edith.” Sonny kissed the back of her hand. “Welcome to the team.” He surveyed Edith as if she were a line of shoes he was considering buying. And then he took Edith’s arm and whisked her inside. “I chose all the ensembles and accessories. This year, I added pantsuits.”
“I requested a bikini,” Edith said testily, head swiveling back and forth as if she’d never been in a department store before.
“No bathing suits,” Mims hissed.
“That’s against the rules,” Clarice added.
Sonny chuckled. “As I recall, I chose an evening gown for you, Edith.” He led them to a back room with a rack of clothing on wheels and a box filled with accessories and handbags. He handed Mims a clipboard. “Here’s your list of what we chose, along with the names and sizes of the models you gave us. I added product descriptions your emcee can read for each model.” Flashing his well-rehearsed smile, Sonny produced a business card from his wallet and handed it to Edith. “If you need anything, call me. Or walk down the hall until you find the biggest office.” He winked. “And we can talk.”
He’d laid it on too thick. Mims shook her head.
Sonny was a ladies’ man, and he enjoyed the finer things in life. He might not whisk Edith away from Sunshine forever but he might be the distraction she needed to realize she could love more than one man in her lifetime.
Edith watched Sonny walk away, a frown wrinkling her already wrinkled brow. And then she handed the business card to Lola. “I think this is for you.”
Mims nearly choked on her gum.
Lola dropped back a step and waved Edith off. “He didn’t kiss my hand or ask me to his office.”
Edith stared at the card again. “Whatever would he want with an old biddy like me?”
“A dinner date,” Clarice suggested, taking a seat in a chair in the corner.
“A cruise companion,” Bitsy said somewhat wistfully, stroking a purple feather on an evening gown.
Trying to keep her tone casual, Mims didn’t look up from the clipboard. “Someone to take moonlit walks with.”
“He was clearly smitten,” Lola said with a straight face.
Mims nearly hugged Lola for joining their cause.
“He’s after the wrong gal.” Edith picked up the gown with the purple feathers and pulled a face. “And the wrong dress.”
“I don’t know.” Mims angled the clipboard so Edith could see the list Sonny had made. “It says right here, ‘Purple-Passion Plumes for Edith.’ The ideal choice for a romantic dinner at the Bar None.” Which was the most expensive steakhouse in Greeley.
Edith studied Sonny’s card and said nothing for a long time.
Chapter Nineteen
The light was on in the garage apartment when Drew got home near midnight.
He sent his teenage babysitter home and changed out of his uniform, locking his gun in the safe. Becky was sprawled on her stomach in bed,