Page 76 of Newly Tied

“Because we are,” she said, reaching up to put her hand on his cheek. “The three of us thrived together, did we not?”

He nodded. “We did,” he whispered, his voice going out on him for a moment as he leaned into her palm. “It’s funny because he wasn’t really here even before he left.”

“No, he wasn’t,” she conceded. “But that was my fault too.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I was certain that seeing you, holding you, would make him into a father, a provider, and the kind of husband I needed, but that wasn’t fair to him. He loves music, and that could never change. He had to use that skill, that love, to support a family, and I was not willing to wait for that to come to fruition. Selah was then, and is now, a much better partner for him.”

“And you?” he asked her.

“Me what?”

He turned to me for backup, and I cleared my throat.

“Oh no, what?” She sounded like she was getting ready to head off something terrible.

I said, “We were thinkin’ that, you know, fifty-eight is not old at all.”

“Fifty is the new thirty,” he told her.

“I don’t think I like where this is going.”

I smiled big, and so did Lang.

“What did you do?”

“Aunt V!” Lang called loudly.

Viola excused herself and was across the room quickly, taking hold of Etta’s arm. “Did you get the wonderful news that your darling son is sending us on a cruise?”

“On a what?”

“An over-fifty Christian singles cruise,” Viola announced excitedly. “Lots of eligible gentlemen who all go to church. We’re going next month.”

“I don’t want to do⁠—”

“Julie’s coming, and Bonnie, and Anna.”

Instantly Etta was excited and alert. “Anna’s coming?”

Anna Kimura was Etta’s best friend in the world. She was moving back to Chicago in November to be close to her son, and Etta. I suspected, having met Anna, that Etta was the bigger draw. Her son, Craig, whom I’d met at the same time, was a bit of a pompous ass. But in my limited interactions with guys who worked on the stock market, traders, financial analysts, and planners, most of them were.

“She is,” Lang confirmed.

“Maybe I’ll take a moment now and go give her a call.”

“Come on.” Viola pulled her along, and it was cute how fast they left the room together.

I gave Lang a gentle bump with my shoulder. “You made her very happy, but did you consider how you’ll feel if she brings someone home with her?”

“It’s time. I hope she finds someone and falls madly in love. She deserves it.”

“Yes, she does. Now go over there and meet your father’s family while I go get somethin’ to eat.”

“No, no. I need backup.”

“I’m sorry, sir. I’m off duty,” I informed him.