Page 9 of And I Love Her

“I know youcan. I just don’t want you to have to.”

Eleanor set the silverware on the table, her brow furrowing. “And I wantyouto focus on your life instead of mine. You know how much I’ve appreciated your support and help, but things are smoothing out for us now, and it’s time for you to enjoy yourself a bit. When you’re not on campus, you’re either here or at the bakery. Don’t you ever go out with your friends? When was the last time you went on a date?”

Aria snickered. “When Homer wroteThe Odyssey.”

Callie threw her sister an annoyed frown, even though the remark was valid. “I don’t have time to date.”

“But you do have time to maintain a calendar of Mom’s bill deadlines and doctor’s appointments,” Aria muttered.

Callie’s spine tensed. She poured herself a glass of wine and took a long swallow, appreciating the full-bodied red. Could anyone blame her for being worried about their mother, especially after Dad’s shocking car accidentanda health crisis?

Eleanor had been subsumed by grief following her husband’s death, to the point where she’d wanted to close the bakery she’d spent years building. Thankfully they’d been able to rely on their friend Kate Rochester, who’d also been their employee at the time, but weeks had passed before Eleanor was ready to return to work.

Callie’s concern had intensified tenfold during Eleanor’s cancer scare and surgery. She’d known her mother would be devastated all over again not to have her husband at her side. Eleanor and Gordon had been high-school sweethearts and married when they were in their early twenties. The past year and a half had been the first time in her life that Eleanor was alone.

But Callie refused tolether mother be alone. If that meant making sure she had her doctors’ appointments in order and her faucet repaired, then so be it. She didn’t mind being a bit of a nag if she could ensure her mother’s well-being.

“Dinner’s ready. Sit down, both of you.” Unable to keep the tight note from her voice, she took the casserole out of the oven. “Given the state of the oven, the casserole might not be fully warmed, but I guess we’ll just have to live with it.”

“I could set you up, you know.” Aria sat down, tapping her fingers against the stem of her glass.

“With a guitar-playing hippie who pays his bills with money from a donation jar?” Callie rolled her eyes and placed the casserole on the table before sitting.

“Hey, no need to be elitist.” Unmistakable irritation flashed in Aria’s eyes. “There’s nothing wrong with using one’s talent to pay bills.”

Callie experienced a rush of shame. “All right, I’m sorry. But I do not want to be set up.”

“There’s no harm in a little matchmaking.” Eleanor handed Aria a serving spoon and joined them at the table.

“When I was helping out at the florist a few years back, a lot of businessmen came in to get arrangements for their wives and girlfriends.” Aria portioned out a large serving of casserole, her bracelets sliding up her slender arms.

“I especially don’t want to be set up with a man who has a wife or a girlfriend.” Callie snapped her napkin open and spread it on her lap.

“I mean, I can ask about their friends and brothers,” Aria clarified. “At the very least, you could go out and have some fun.”

“I don’t have time forfun.”

“You don’twantto have time for fun,” Aria corrected.

“Because I happen to be an adult with a professional career.”

“Which doesn’t precludefun. Oh, I almost forgot.” Aria reached into her pocket and removed a smooth, glossy pink stone about the size of an egg. She passed it across the table to Callie. “Destiny asked me to give this to you. It’s rose quartz, also known as the heart stone. She says it attracts love and romance, and it’s also a powerful aphrodisiac.”

“Maybe I should get one.” Eleanor pursed her lips in thought.

“Mom.”Callie shook her head and studied the stone, which glinted with different shades of pink in the light.

“At least Mom is open to the idea of romance,” Aria pointed out. “Seriously, Callie, you’re thirty-two going on eighty.”

Callie tossed the stone on the table. “As I said, at least I’m an adult.”

“What, you’re implying I’m not?”

“You know, Margie’s daughter found a successful match on one of those dating websites.” Eleanor’s overly bright voice broke the sudden tension. “We could put up a profile for you and see what happens.”

“No.” Callie poured herself another glass of wine. “I appreciate your concern, but I don’t want to be set up with a businessman’s friend or on a dating website. I don’t have time to date. I don’twantto date. I’m too busy with work and my book proposal right now.”

“And one day you’re going to look up and wonder where time went.” Tenderness darkened Eleanor’s eyes as she studied her eldest daughter. “I’m so proud of all you’ve accomplished, honey, but don’t let life pass you by. Your father wouldn’t want that either.”

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