Page 66 of The Merry Matchmaker

“Maybe none of us do. Old people are old people, and that’s where we leave them.”

Angie was back with their food. Time to take a sip of tea and shut the mouth.

Once she’d moved on, Stef continued. “I was only five—I’d been a surprise baby—and didn’t grasp what was going on. My mother was totally shredded, but all I knew was that Daddy was gone, and my mommy wasn’t paying attention to me like she used to. Frankie was so much older. She sort of took over as mother for a while. She’d already nominated herself to be a second mother to me because of our age difference, but this really cemented that.”

Even after Adele recovered her equilibrium, Frankie had still been there for her little sister, offering fashion advice, encouraging Stef to get involved with her high school newspaper, helping her learn how to drive.

“It’s never changed,” Stef continued. “And I have to admit, I still kind of look at her as a second mom. I adore your mother.”

“I do, too,” Natalie said.

“Then you might have to give her a little grace. She’s used to trying to smooth out everyone’s lives.” Including their love lives. Well-meaning as Frankie was, she didn’t have the gift for matchmaking. But still. “Everything she does, she does out of love. Which is why I can never stay mad at your mom.”

Natalie frowned. “If she wanted me to have a full-time job, she could have offered me one at the shop. At least I wouldn’t have a commute.”

“Maybe she thought someone else could pay you better.”

Natalie shrugged and dug into her salad. “True. They could. But we’re going to be fine now, and really I like working part-time and making candy.”

“So, life’s good,” said Stef. “Let this go.”

“Yeah, I guess I need to.” Natalie took another bite of salad and chewed thoughtfully. “You know, it’s so ironic. Here’s Mom, always running everyone’s lives—trying to find jobs for me, giving Elinor a makeover.”

“And trying to match me up,” added Stef. “Don’t ask.” No way did she want to revisit the super-fail dinner party.

Natalie rolled her eyes. “But she can’t figure out her own life.”

“She’s got most of it figured out,” Stef said in fairness to her big sister. “Your mom’s done a great job of building her business and picking up and carrying on after your dad died. He was her soulmate. You know that oldlove you to the moon and backsaying? Well, she loved him to the moon and way beyond.”

Natalie stared down at her salad and blinked, swiping tears from the corners of her eyes. “I still miss him. It’s just so wrong that he’s not here.”

“I know,” Stef said, and she, too, wanted to cry.

Ike had been a great man—fun, generous, the kind of man Stef had wanted to marry. The kind of man she’d thought she’d married. Until Richard showed his true colors. Were there any more Ikes out there? Stef sincerely doubted it.

“You know Mom didn’t even want to go out with Brock, and I don’t think that’s going to last.” Natalie sighed. “I don’t want to see her alone for the rest of her life.”

“She’s not alone. She’s got lots of friends,” said Stef, trying to put a positive spin on things.

“She’s going to lose them, too, if she’s not careful. I still can’t believe she put Mitch on a dating site.”

That had been one of Frankie’s goofier ideas, trying to set up a man who was perfect for her with someone else.

“Maybe we should be interfering inherlife,” suggested Natalie.

Stef laughed at the idea. “No, thanks. I’ve got my hands full trying to manage my own love life.”

Ha! What love life?

Quit ghosting me. I know where to find you.

Frankie read Brock’s text and sighed. She was hiding, not wanting to deal with the mess she’d stepped into.

But she needed to step out of it.Sorry.Want to meet up tonight?

Yes. How about Heat?

The restaurant offered interesting food fusions, such as chicken wonton tacos and pad thai quinoa bowls. Their bar specialized in color-changing cocktails, and it was always hard to get reservations.

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