Page 39 of Forbidden Whispers
Jaime shared how Maggie had been the first one to recognize the potential between her and Jack, even though she initially hadn’t given him a second glance. She explained how Maggie had masterminded their “accidental encounters” in college.
“Jack was so shy that Maggie even secretly helped him by providing conversation starters for him to use with me,” Jaime laughed. “Before I knew it, I was head over heels for him.”
“What a wonderful story!” Tilly clapped her hands together, her eyes twinkling.
“She has lots more,” Jaime said, taking a sip of her coffee. Then she added with a sideways glance at her friend, “And someday soon, I hope to hear her own story.”
J.P. put down his coffee mug and leaned forward in his chair. “Do you have a good story on how you found your own true love, Miss Maggie?”
Noah truly felt for Maggie as he watched her blush. But he didn’t try coming to her rescue because he was too happy to finally have the attention off himself.
“I actually haven’t found my own true love yet, J.P.,” Maggie said lightly.
“Really?” Rita said. Even though she was responding to Maggie, she was resting her chin on her hand and staring straight at George, who seemed deeply occupied with stirring cream into his coffee.
Noah narrowed his eyes at Rita. He was certain that her blouse had been buttoned up higher only a moment ago.
Rita continued, her gaze still on George, “So, you haven’t just...stumbled upon the perfect man yet?”
“Not yet,” Maggie said with a tilt of her head.
“Maggie has such great success with her clients,” Jaime said. “But when it comes to her own love life, well...let’s just say that sometimes I think the matchmaker could use her own matchmaker.”
“Jaime, I don’t need a matchmaker!” Maggie objected. “Right now, I get all the satisfaction I need by helping my clients find their happily ever after’s. And when the time is right, I’m sure I’ll be just as successful at finding my own.”
“Sweetheart, I think you should stop harassing your friend,” George said to his daughter.
“Okay, okay,” Jaime said, lifting up her hands. Then Noah heard her mutter quietly under her breath, “I just wish those losers hadn’t messed her up so much.”
He knew Maggie had to have heard her, but she gave no indication. Noah wondered who the losers were that Jaime was referring to. Old boyfriends? He wished he knew more about Maggie’s own romantic history.
“So, George,” Rita said. “You’re retired, eh? I’m semi-retired myself. What do you like to do in your free time?”
“Spend time with my daughter and granddaughter Emma,” George responded promptly.
“He also golfs quite a bit,” Jaime said.
“Oooh, golf!” Rita gushed. “I’ve been thinking about learning. Do you ever give lessons?”
“Well, I...uh,” George said.
“What a great idea, Dad!” Jaime said, seemingly oblivious to her father’s discomfort with Rita’s blatant attention. “He taught me and my brother how to play years ago. He’s great at it.”
“I bet you are, George,” Rita said; somehow she seemed to have moved even closer to him.
Suddenly, George jumped in his seat. Then he scooted his chair away from Rita just as Noah noticed that one of Rita’s hands was out of view. He flashed her a stern look. And barely looking contrite, she placed it back on the table.
Suddenly Boon, who had been lying quietly at Maggie’s feet, got up and went over to George. He jumped up and put his two large front paws on George’s lap. Then he laid his head on top of them.
“Oh!” George leaned away in surprise.
“No, Boon!” Noah said, rising from his chair. “Down, boy.”
Boon’s soft brown eyes shifted to Noah, but he remained where he was.
“It’s actually okay,” George said as he stroked the dog’s silky back. “He just caught me by surprise, that’s all. He seems very good natured.”
“What a sweetheart!” Rita said, reaching over to pat Boon’s furry head. Due to the dog’s position, this caused George to flush red all over again.