Read Online In the Mood for Love by Beth Ciotta - Free Book Online

matchmaker—”
    “I’ll do most of the work, but I’d appreciate a partner in crime.” She wasn’t supposed to drive anymore, not that she didn’t sneak now and then, but she had lots of places to go. Every one of her grandkids and nieces and nephews had offered to give her a ride anytime, anywhere, but she’d prefer to keep these matchmaking missions private.
    “Your heart acting up?” Vincent asked.
    She’d had a mild attack over a year ago—something she’d managed to keep from the family until Vincent had spilled the beans, darn him. Now everyone hounded her all the more about her health. “No,” she said. “Why?”
    “You mentioned kicking the bucket.”
    “No one lasts forever and this matchmaking thing could take a while. Take Sam for instance.”
    “I see he’s at the top of your list,” Vincent said while squinting at her writing. “Chicken scrawl,” he called it.
    “He’s a tough nut,” Daisy said, while cleaning her plate. “The Cupcake Lovers have all but given up on fixing him up. But not me. I know another tough nut, and I think I can crack them both.”
    “I know this nut?”
    “Harper Day.” No sense holding back when Daisy had planted the seed to move forward earlier this morning.
    Vincent wrinkled his nose. “The snooty publicist?”
    “Not snooty. Aloof .”
    “Same difference. She’s shopped at Oslow’s, though not in a while. Organic produce only.”
    “She’s health conscious.”
    “I’ve tried talking to her, friendly conversation. She has a way of answering your questions and ignoring you at the same time. Always on her phone—talking, texting.”
    “Multitasking,” Daisy said.
    “It’s rude,” Vincent said.
    “I told her that once,” Daisy said. “I don’t think she can help herself. Her brain’s always running. She comes to Sugar Creek to wind down, but I’ve never seen her in slow mode. Never seen her relax. She doesn’t have any interests outside of work. Except maybe Sam.” Daisy leaned forward and waggled her eyebrows. “I’ve seen her sneak looks at Sam and vice versa. I think they’d be good together.”
    “Never mind that her primary residence is across the country,” Vincent said. “Sam likes sweet-natured women. Harper’s self-absorbed and, like you said, kind of manic.”
    Daisy had thought the same thing, but then she’d started picking up on little things. Things maybe other people didn’t notice. Harper wasn’t self-absorbed at all. She was obsessed with keeping self-destructive people on track. A Hollywood soul-saver who was also obsessed with lost-soul Mary Rothwell. A gifted publicist who had a soft spot for the Cupcake Lovers and their devotion to spreading sugary sunshine to soldiers.
    Daisy would bet her Millie Moose costume that Harper stuffed down her own needs and dreams because she felt other people’s needs and dreams were more important. Daisy knew a kindred spirit when she saw one.
    “Remember how I used to be?” she asked Vincent. “Reserved. Prim and proper. Aloof. There was more to me than met the eye, but I kept it locked away, kept my true self to myself, and pretended to be the person Jessup wanted me to be. Sensible and serene.”
    Vincent slid his glasses to the end of his nose and peered over the rims at Daisy. The sympathy in his direct gaze made her legs all noodly. “I always sensed you were holding back. I like that you’re comfortable enough with me not to put on pretenses.”
    “Comfortable enough and safe enough,” Daisy said. “Harper needs to learn that it’s okay to kick back and enjoy life. To focus on her own happiness.”
    “And you’re going to help her with that.”
    “I’m going to point her in the right direction.”
    “Sam.”
    “He needs a challenge. Someone to spice up his life.”
    “Harper.”
    “See! We’re on the same wavelength.”
    “Mmm.”
    “I have an appointment with Harper later tonight. Out at the Rothwell Farm. I don’t