The Matchmakers of Butternut Creek by Jane Myers Perrine Page B

that out when we were in his office Monday?” Birdie asked.
    “Oh.” Blossom blinked. “That’s what we were doing. I thought we were discussing the youth retreat.”
    “Dear,” Mercedes explained patiently. “As well as doing good, we attempt to match people up, to get them married.”
    “Back when we had more young, unmarried people in town, we were extremely successful.” Mercedes sighed. “With websites and singles bars in Austin and all the young people leaving town after they graduate, matchmaking has become quite a challenge.”
    “We matched Sam and Willow, and, if you look at the faculty in the schools, you’ll see a number of our successes,” Birdie said. “The track coach and that third-grade teacher have been married for ten years. And the assistant principal and the school nurse are expecting their second child. But it is much harder now.”
    “The process has become more difficult since all my children married,” Mercedes added. “We found mates for two of them.”
    “I don’t know many young people, but I’ll help in any way I can.” Blossom paused and thought for a few seconds. “Maybe we could invite all the singles in Butternut Creek to my house for a party.”
    The woman did have a lovely house.
    “Problem is, that would be Pastor Adam and the minister from the Presbyterian Church,” Winnie said. “We’ve already tried to get them together.”
    “I talked to a couple of divorced teachers at the middle school but they weren’t at all receptive to our efforts,” Birdie said. “Very rude, in fact.”
    “But that’s a good idea, Blossom.” Winnie wrote that down. “Maybe we’ll try that later, after a few more divorces.”
    The four women considered the suggestion for nearly a minute while they each took another piece of the coffee cake.
    “Well, enough of that,” Winnie said. “What else do we need to discuss?”
    Bossiest woman Birdie had ever met, but she did have a point. Unless more had happened between Gussie and Adam at the retreat than her granddaughters had told her, the matchmaking had hit a dead end.
    “Cleanup at the thrift shop Friday, nine o’clock,” Birdie said. “Bring brooms and cleaning material and hangers. With the big sale on Saturday, we have to sort everything, get it ready to set up in the parking lot.”

C HAPTER F OUR
    H ello, Mrs. Boucher. I’m Adam Jordan, the minister of the Christian Church,” Adam said as a smiling brunette opened her front door.
    When she heard those words, her smile disappeared and she stepped back to close the door. “Thank you. Not interested.”
    “No, I’m not here for that. I have Aaron’s backpack.” He held it up.
    “Oh.” She shoved the screen door open and took it. “Thank you. He leaves everything he owns all over the neighborhood.”
    “Maybe it’s not Aaron’s fault.” He gestured toward Chewy. “My dog has a bad habit of running off with stuff.” Then he showed her a hoodie. “Is this Aaron’s?”
    She shook her head. “Try across the street. That may belong to April Higgins.”
    Mrs. Higgins was delighted to get the hoodie back. As he left, Adam said, “If you don’t have a church home, we’d love for you to visit.”
    Had Chewy become their best tool for membership growth?
     
    * * *
    When he got to the office, Adam wondered where the Widows were. Not that he missed them, but it was over a week since their last visit and they hadn’t descended on him again. The lack of a second visit made him realize Mac hadn’t squealed. He felt safe.
    He’d worked for nearly fifteen minutes when Chewy leaped to his feet, woofed, and danced.
    Ouida stood in his door, a plate in one hand and Gretchen dangling from the other, as usual.
    “Exactly what I need,” Adam said. “I don’t know how I’d get along without you.”
    “You’d probably starve to death.” She shook her head. “It’s my mission to fatten you up.”
    She scrutinized his chest and shoulders, which made Adam more than a