what you’ve got.”
She pulled a small book out of the desk and handed it to him. He opened it and found the names of several couples written on the pages throughout the book. In some cases, these names were accompanied by wedding announcements clipped from the newspaper and glued onto the page.
As he flipped, he began to see names and faces he recognized. “You’re telling me you’re the reason all of these people met and fell in love?”
She smiled smugly. “And I’ll have you know of all my couples, only one has ever ended in a divorce.”
He gave her a nod. Okay, that was impressive, if it was true. “Well done, Aunt Nellie. That’s saying something these days.”
“Helen explained that it was a very special kind of person who possessed the magic of being a matchmaker. She said it was important that the tradition was passed down so the romance of the island would live on.”
“No offense, Aunt Nellie, but don’t you think the romance of the island will go on whether you’re matchmaking or not? Some might argue this is just you sticking your nose in other people’s business.”
She folded her hands and leaned in closer, across the desk. “Dear boy. Love might prevail here on the island, but it always benefits from the nudge of Noni Rose.”
Hayes had no reply. His aunt might be certifiable, but he didn’t feel like now was a good time to tell her so.
“And, furthermore, nobody knows anything about what I’m doing. I can assure you, there is nothing untoward happening here. I look at this as a responsibility, and I didn’t ask for it, mind you. You don’t get to choose to be Noni Rose, Noni Rose chooses you.” She stared at him, an expectant look on her face.
He smiled at her. Had she just said something important and he misunderstood?
“I think it’s a great thing, then,” he said. “If it makes you happy, and people are finding love or whatever, more power to you.”
“People do not find love or whatever,” she said pointedly. “I create an atmosphere that allows love to blossom, that’s all.”
He didn’t respond.
“And, you’ll be pleased to know that I’ve selected my replacement.”
“You’re retiring from matchmaking?”
“I’m taking a little break.”
“Right,” he said. “Paris.”
“Right.” She nodded, that knowing expression still on her face.
“Aunt Nellie,” he said. “What are you trying to say?”
“It’s you, Hayes,” she said with enthusiasm, as if he’d been chosen the next contestant on The Price is Right.
“What’s me?”
“My replacement.” She still leaned forward across the desk, but now it almost felt like she was luring him in somehow. “Well, temporarily.”
“Me? No.” He shook his head. “You’ve officially lost your mind.”
“I know it seems crazy, kiddo, but Helen always told me when you know, you know.” She eyed him. “And I know.”
“Well, I know that you are crazy,” he said. “Noni Rose is a woman.”
She shrugged. “Doesn’t have to be.”
He stared at her, trying to determine exactly how serious she was. Judging by her unchanging expression—very.
“Dudes do not become matchmakers,” he said.
“It’s a temporary gig,” she repeated, as if that made it better.
“It’s a gig I don’t want,” he said.
“Hayes, I didn’t want to bring it up, but you do know that you were the only family member who didn’t make it home for my birthday party in September.”
September. Right. He should’ve come home for the party. In hindsight, that would’ve saved him a world of grief. “The only one?”
She nodded. “And, I might add, you are my favorite so I was especially disappointed.”
He grinned. “I’m your favorite.”
Aunt Nellie smiled back. “As if you didn’t know.” She pulled a photo out of her top desk drawer and slid it across the desk. “This is the woman I’m working on matching, and I just have a feeling if I leave for Paris without a replacement, it’s not going to happen for her.”
He looked at the photo. A plain-looking woman with kind eyes looked back at him. She was familiar. “Why her?”
“It’s hard to explain. It’s a feeling. It’s like the Lord puts someone in my path, and I just know.”
“So, nobody is asking you to do anything,” he said.
“Technically, no,” she said. “But it’s a feeling. Something happens, and it’s obvious this person needs my help. It’s like a light bulb going off, or an idea popping into your head. Like magic.”
“That’s not magic, Aunt Nellie,” he said. “That’s nosiness. And maybe a little blasphemous if you’re trying to bring the Lord into it.”
“You don’t understand,” she