Kiss the Bride
cart.”
    “That’s great to hear.”
    “Listen,” Trudie said, “I’ve got a friend who’s looking to sell her house.”
    “Really.” A smile flitted across her lips. At last, a referral that had nothing to do with her mother.
    “My friend lives on Galveston Island in an old Victorian. It’s a beautiful place, but needs work. Her husband died a couple of months ago and she’s really lonely.”
    “That’s sad,” Delaney said. “I’m so sorry to hear it.”
    “It’s been rough on her. They were married fifty-two years, and Leo was the love of her life.”
    Delaney made a noise of sympathy. “Tragic.”
    “Well,” Trudie said, “they did get fifty-two wonderful years together. Most of us aren’t so lucky. Anyway, a condo came open here at Orchid Villa right across thecourtyard from my place. But she can’t afford the condo until she sells her house. The condo won’t last long. You know how quickly the properties are going around here, so she needs to sell the house as soon as possible. Can you drop by tomorrow afternoon and give her your expert opinion?”
    “Trudie,” Delaney said, “I’d be happy to do what I can for your friend.”
    “Can you come around three? Got a pen so I can give you the address?”
    “Three would be perfect. Hang on, I’ve got my BlackBerry right here.” She dug the device from her purse and powered it on. “Go ahead.”
    “Her name is Lucia Vinetti.” As Trudie gave her the address, Delaney felt her excitement growing. She hadn’t had a project in a couple of weeks, and she was eager to work and get her mind off the wedding plans.
    In the course of a two-minute conversation, Delaney had completely forgotten about seducing Evan. If she couldn’t find the magic that was missing from her life through love, then she would do it through her work. Now, all she could think about was making sure Lucia Vinetti’s house sold quickly and for the most amount of money possible.
    And opening up a whole new aspect of her career.
    Lucia Vinetti and her friend Trudie Klausman strolled through her garden in the gathering twilight, admiring the flowering bougainvilleas, inhaling the scent of red honeysuckle growing up the fence.
    “I hope I’m doing the right thing. Messing with fate can be a risky proposition,” Lucia Vinetti said as she pulled a small bottle of lavender lotion from the pocket of her apron and rubbed a dab of it into her hands.
    She’d led such a wonderful life, she’d never really minded growing old. But these wrinkly brown spots on her hands, Mother Teresa, how she hated them. When Leo was alive, he would laugh about her vanity, kiss her hands, and tell her she was in luck, because brown was his favorite color. Remembering her husband, Lucia smiled while at the same time her heart welled with sadness. She was going to miss this place so much, the garden in particular where she and Leo had worked side by side, coaxing things to grow.
    “I’m telling ya, Luce, Delaney is the one for your Nicky,” her best friend Trudie said.
    “But playing matchmaker? I’m not sure it’s prudent to interfere in other people’s love lives.”
    Even at seventy-five Trudie still dressed like the Las Vegas showgirl she used to be. Garish colors, styles made for women a third of her age, outrageous props. Tonight she had a lime green feather boa tossed around her neck. But Lucia never judged Trudie for her eccentric clothes. She might be outrageous, but she was the truest friend Lucia had ever had.
    “The minute I met this girl, I knew she was the one for your grandson.” Trudie sounded so certain. “But just to be sure, I did her astrological chart. The stars never lie. She and Nick are destined to be together.”
    “But you said she’s engaged to marry another man.” Lucia kept rubbing her hands long after the lotion had been absorbed. Nervous habit, but then playing around with fate was something to be nervous about. “That isn’t a good sign. Nick’s already

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