“She didn’t say, but I suspect it has something to do with Patrick Murphy. They danced together for hours at Will and Cameron’s wedding, and she drove him home afterward, even though he could’ve come with us. She’s never mentioned him again, not to me anyway, but he asked to use the house in Burlington a couple of months ago, and she’s taken a few more days off than usual. He was here for the wedding and Christmas, but he didn’t stay with Will and Cam.”

“Is that right? Well, good for her—and for Patrick. He’d be a lucky man to have her in his life.”

“I agree, but I’m sad to lose her in the office. She’s the glue that holds us all together.”

“True. I’d sure like to know how that romance transpired.”

“You and me both. She hasn’t said a word about it to any of us, and we don’t know for sure that it has anything to do with Patrick. I’m only speculating.”

“But you’re going to find out?”

“Of course I am,” Linc said, sounding offended that he’d even ask. “Anyway, after Mary called, I had an idea I wanted to run by you.”

“What’s that?”

“Emma Mulvaney.”

“What about her?”

“Did you know she’s the office manager for dentists in the city?”

“I didn’t know that.”

“Well, she certainly has the skills we need. I’m thinking about offering her the job.”

Elmer stared at him, unblinking. “You’re serious?”

“Dead serious. Grayson doesn’t want to relocate to New York. He wants to be here, but now that he’s met Emma, he wants to be where she is. I thought this might simplify things for them.”

“Have you talked to him about this idea of yours?”

“Nope.”

“Are you planning to?”

“Nope. I’m planning to talk to her about it. All I can do is offer the job. The rest is up to her.”

“That’s kind of a big bomb you’d be dropping on her.”

“I prefer to see it as a nice opportunity, and there’s no obligation for her to take the job.”

“Hmm,” Elmer said, rubbing at the white whiskers on his chin.

“You don’t seem too excited about this brilliant idea of mine.”

“I’m actually thinking about Ray being all alone in New York if Emma moves here. I mean, Lucy gets down to the city, but she’s spending more time than ever here.”

“Maybe he’ll come, too.”

“You’re getting awfully full of your own self with this grand plan,” Elmer said.

“Right… Like you’re not full of your own self and fat with your own matchmaking success.”

“Who you calling fat?”

Lincoln snorted with laughter. “Admit it. This is a good idea. You’re just mad you didn’t have it first.”