Prologue

      “Is it true?”

      Theresa Manetti looked up from the menu she was putting the final touches on to see who had just walked into her inner office. Most clients who wanted to avail themselves of her catering services either called or were brought in by one of her staff and announced.

      As it turned out, this time Theresa found herself looking up at Jeannine Steele, an old friend she hadn’t seen in at least six months. Not since she’d catered Jeannine’s husband’s funeral reception.

      “Well, that’s a new kind of greeting,” Theresa commented, amused. “Most people usually say hello. Is what true?” she asked, nodding toward the chair on the other side of her desk, indicating that her friend should sit down.

      Looking uncomfortable and nervous, Jeannine lowered herself onto the chair, perching on its edge. “There’s a rumor going around that in addition to your catering business, you’re running some sort of a dating service on the side.”

      Theresa had known Jeannine since her own two children had been in elementary school with Jeannine’s daughter, and in all that time, she couldn’t recall the stately woman appearing anything but completely in control.

      Always.

      But not this time.

      “Well, that’s not exactly an accurate description,” Theresa replied. “It’s not really a ‘dating service,’ so much as a matchmaking service.”

      Confusion furrowed Jeannie’s otherwise smooth, alabaster brow. “There’s a difference?”

      From her vantage point, Theresa could see the other woman twisting her long, slender fingers together. Theresa was experienced enough to know where this was heading, and did what she could to set her friend at ease.

      “A big difference,” she answered, pushing back her chair and rising to her feet. “Would you like something to drink, Jeannine?” she asked kindly. “I have everything from tea to soft drinks to something a little more ‘bracing’ if you’d rather have that.”

      Jeannine drew in a deep breath before answering. “I’ll take tea,” she replied. “Strong tea.”

      Theresa smiled as she went to the counter against the back wall, where she had a pot of hot water steaming. She had a preference for tea herself.

      “So, it’s been a while, Jeannine,” she said in her customary easygoing manner. “How are you?”

      “Concerned, frankly,” the other woman admitted.

      Recrossing the room, Theresa held out the cup of tea. “You’re worried about Miranda, aren’t you?”

      Her friend nearly dropped the cup Theresa had handed her. Some hot liquid sloshed over the side. “How did you know?” she asked, surprised.

      “To begin with, you asked me about my so-called ‘sideline,’” Theresa answered, employing a whimsical term for the labor that had become near and dear not just to her heart, but to Maizie’s and Celia’s hearts, as well.

      Theresa and the two women she had been best friends with since the third grade had weathered all of life’s highs and lows together. The highs included marriage, children and the successful businesses all three had started in the second half of their lives and were currently running.

      The lows included all three becoming widows. But she, Maizie and Celia had learned to push on past the pain. After all, they each had children to provide for. They were determined to lead productive, fulfilling lives. And above all else, they were always, always there for one another.

      Their matchmaking had begun slowly, by finding matches for their own children. That was to be the end of it, but matching up the right two people brought such satisfaction with it, they’d decided to try their hand at it again.

      And again.

      With each successful match, their secondary vocation just seemed to take wings. They loved the businesses they had begun and nurtured individually, but there was something exceedingly fulfilling about bringing together two people who otherwise might never have found one another.

      Two people who clearly belonged together.

      It looked as if the adventure was about to begin again, Theresa thought.

      “Tell me about Miranda,” she coaxed, taking her seat once more. “How is she? Is she still as wonderfully generous and bighearted as ever?”

      Jeannine thought of her only daughter—her only living child—whose career path had been chosen at the age of ten. “Yes—and that’s the problem. She’s so busy giving of herself, working at the children’s hospital, the women’s shelter and the city’s animal shelter, that she doesn’t have any time to focus on herself. Don’t get me wrong, Theresa. I’m prouder of Miranda than I can possibly say, but, well, I’m really afraid that if she keeps going like this, she’s eventually going to wind up alone.” Jeannine sighed. “I know that sounds like I’m being small-minded and meddling, but—”

      Theresa cut her short. “Trust me, I know the feeling,” she assured her. “We’re mothers, Jeannine. It comes with the territory.” With her business going full steam ahead the way it was these days, she could use a little diversion. “Tell me, do you have any idea what Miranda’s dating life is like?”

      “I have a very clear idea,” Jeannine replied. “It’s nonexistent these days.”

      “Really?”

      “Really,” she confirmed sadly. “The problem is that no man can compete with her full-time job, as well as all her volunteer work. Besides, what man wants to come in fourth?”

      “Definitely not the kind of man we would want for your daughter,” Theresa said with conviction.

      Jeannine looked confused. “What are you saying?”

      Theresa smiled as she began making plans. “I’m saying we need to change Miranda’s focus a little.”

      “So you do think there’s hope?” A glimmer of optimism entered the other woman’s hazel eyes.

      Theresa leaned over and patted her friend’s hand. “Jeannine,” she said confidently, “there is always hope.”