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“Would you look at that,” Theo mused. “I think our two favorite radio hosts are speechless.”
“That won’t last long.” After conferring with Theo, heads together, Lucy’s gaze zeroed in on her. “Pretend I’m calling your show. Ring ring.”
“You’re on the air with Violet.” Her heart wasn’t in it, but why not? She’d play along. “Who am I speaking with?”
“This is Lucy.” When the older woman’s sweater slipped off one shoulder, Theo righted it for her.
“Hi, Lucy. What’s on your mind tonight?”
“I know two young people who’d be great together, but they can’t see it for themselves. Now he’s spouting nonsense about his neighbor setting him up with someone else. Any suggestions to knock some sense into them?”
Be a professional. Pretend you’re on the air.“Well, Lucy, first I’d suggest praying for them. As you know, whowethink is best for ourselves or someone else isn’t always the case. If these two people look to God for the answer, He’ll lead them in the right direction.”
Lucy snorted. “That’s a proper ‘Christian girl’ response if ever I’ve heard one! How about you, Mr. Make Hay While the Sun Shines?”
“I agree with Violet, but I think God expects us to do our part. We can find someone to date almost anywhere—”
“There you go again!” Violet blurted out.Oops.
Hayden leaned close, teasing her with a tantalizing whiff of his cologne. “I did saywethat time. As I said the other night, most people reach a point where they don’t want to date for the sake of dating. Their focus and goals change, and they become more interested in pursuing a lasting relationship.”
“Are you sayingyou’vereached that point?” Violet struggled to keep her voice even.
“Maybe.”
“Ah, yes—the noncommittal answer of bachelors everywhere.” She finished her Diet Coke and set her glass on the table. “Why should I expect anything else?”
“I’m not looking for perfect,” Hayden said quietly. “If therightwoman agrees to go out with me, I’m all in.”
Lucy frowned. “Is anyone else at this table confused? Violet, honey, time to get send the ball rolling down the hill. Ask this young man who his ‘right woman’ is.”
Theo grunted. “Lucy, let’s excuse ourselves so these two can talk privately.”
Violet rose to her feet. “That’ll need to happen another time since I’m your ride home.”
Lucy snorted. “Sit yourself down. I didn’t say I was ready to gohome. I spotted Regina and Paul over yonder. We should go say hello.” Lucy sent a pointed glance her way. “We Septemberians or whatever you called us don’t have a curfew at Golden Hills. You take as long as you need.”
Violet dropped back onto her chair. “They’re sweet fibbers, aren’t they?”
“They are, but Regina and Paul actuallyare”—Hayden angled her head—“over yonder. Thanks for humoring me tonight, onstage as well as inviting me to join you.”
“Sure thing. How did you first meet Theo and Lucy?”
“I lead morning worship at Golden Hills the last Sunday of every month.”
“And I’m there thefirstSunday,” Violet said. “Not to lead, but I sit with the residents, keep them company, pick up things they drop, hold their hand, things like that.”
Hayden’s gaze tangled with hers. “We’ll need to coordinate our Sundays sometime.”
She could get lost in his blue eyes. Based on what he’d said tonight, Hayden might be looking to lose himself in some other girl’s eyes.Say something.“Lucy and Theo listen to your show all the time. They’re ‘tickled’ by your advice.”
“Lucy called in once,” he said. “She tried to disguise her voice, but I could tell.”
Violet grinned. “That must have been interesting.”
“Yeah, but I didn’t want to embarrass Lucy by letting on I’d guessed her identity.”
“Lucy and Theo have been sweet on each other for a long time,” she told him. “They insist they’re happy with their friendship the way it is.”
