Page 1 of Quick on the Claw

PROLOGUE

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the sweet scent of pastries, enveloping Gerri Wilder in a comforting embrace as she settled into her favorite corner booth at Café Amour. Soft jazz played in the background, a perfect accompaniment to the lazy Saturday afternoon.

She took a sip of her Earl Grey, savoring the bergamot flavor as she unfolded the cream-colored envelope in her hands. A smile tugged on her lips as she read the elegant script:

“…request the pleasure of your company at the celebration of their marriage...”

Gerri’s heart swelled with pride. Lena and Alex was her first match from her Matchmaker’s Book Club. Gerri had known they were perfect. It was like that every time. All she had to do was think of someone and she immediately knew their mate. It wasn’t magic. It was her gift.

“Excuse me,” a cheerful voice interrupted her musings. “I hate to bother you, but would you mind if I shared your table? It’s packed in here today.”

Gerri looked up to see a young woman with long, wavy dark-brown hair and sparkling brown eyes. She radiated an infectious energy that immediately brightened the already sunny café.

“Not at all, dear. Please, sit down,” Gerri replied, gesturing to the empty seat across from her. “I’m Gerri.”

“Thanks so much. I’m Sia,” the woman said, plopping down with a grateful smile. She set her oversized latte on the table, the whipped cream tower wobbling precariously. “Whew! I thought I’d never find a seat. It’s like the whole city decided to get coffee at the same time.”

Gerri chuckled, tucking the wedding invitation back into her purse. “It does get busy here on weekends. But the drinks here are worth it, don’t you think?”

“Oh, absolutely,” Sia agreed. “Plus, after the week I’ve had, I need all the caffeine I can get.”

“Rough week at work?” Gerri inquired, her matchmaker’s instincts piquing with interest in this vibrant young woman.

Sia laughed, a melodious sound that turned a few heads in the café. “Actually, I just got back from the most incredible vacation. My cousin Tiffany and I went skydiving in New Zealand.”

“Skydiving?” Gerri’s eyebrows shot up. “That sounds absolutely thrilling.”

“It was amazing.” Sia’s eyes lit up as she launched into her story. “Picture this: we’re up in this tiny plane, thousands of feet above the most gorgeous landscape you’ve ever seen. Mountains, lakes, forests – all spread out below us like a living map.”

Gerri leaned in captivated by Sia’s animated storytelling. The young woman’s hands flew as she spoke, nearly knocking over her latte more than once.

“So there we are, sitting on the edge of the open door. The wind is whipping around us, and my heart is pounding so hard, I swear the instructor can hear it over the roar of the engines. Tiffany goes first – she’s always been the braver one – and then it’s my turn.”

Sia paused dramatically, taking a quick sip of her latte and leaving a small, whipped cream mustache on her upper lip. Gerri bit back a chuckle, not wanting to interrupt the story.

“I’m terrified, but excited, you know? And then... I jump. For a second, it feels like my stomach is trying to climb out through my throat. But then, it’s like... flying. No, better than flying. It’s like being completely free.”

Gerri nodded, entranced. She’d done her fair share of adventuring in her younger days, and Sia’s description brought back a flood of exhilarating memories.

“The freefall is incredible, but when the parachute opens – wow. Suddenly everything is quiet, and you’re just floating there, taking in this breathtaking view. Tiffany and I were whooping and cheering. I swear, I’ve never felt so alive.”

“It sounds absolutely wonderful,” Gerri said warmly. “You and your cousin must be very close.”

“Oh, we are,” Sia nodded, her expression softening with affection. “Tiffany’s like a sister to me. She’s always been there through thick and thin. I don’t know what I’d do without her.”

Before Gerri could respond, a couple approached their table. The woman, a petite blonde with a radiant smile, spoke up. “I’m so sorry to interrupt you, Gerri but we just had to stop when I saw you.”

Gerri turned, a welcoming smile spreading across her face as she recognized the pair. “Melissa, David. What a lovely surprise. How are you two doing?”

The couple beamed, their hands intertwined. “We’re fantastic,” David replied, his deep voice filled with warmth. “We just wanted to thank you again. If it wasn’t for you, we never would have found each other.”

Melissa nodded enthusiastically. “You changed our lives, Gerri. We can’t thank you enough.”

Gerri stood, enveloping them both in a heartfelt hug. “Oh, darlings. I’m just so happy you found each other. You two are perfect together.”

As the couple said their good-byes and left, Gerri settled back into her seat to find Sia staring at her with wide, curious eyes.

“Okay, I have to ask,” Sia leaned forward, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “What did they mean by that? Are you some kind of relationship guru or something?”

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