“Are you matchmaking?” Hannah laughed. “And why not? All anyone can ever do is introduce two people. After that, they either like one another or they don’t.”

But when, a week later, Denny came for dinner, most of his conversation was directed to Bob and Max, and Miriam seemed totally indifferent to the fact that an eligible male sat at the table.

As they cleared the dishes, Hannah said to Amelia, “Well, as I said, you can do the introductions. What happens after that is out of your hands.”

Amelia placed the glass that she was about to insert into the dishwasher on the table and absentmindedly ran her finger across its rim. “I’m disappointed. I do so want Miriam and Sadie to stay in Covington or somewhere close. I don’t want to lose them when I’ve just found them.” She looked at Hannah. “I know Miriam’s young, and she deserves to meet someone and remarry. I just pray it’s someone who lives and works in this area.”

“Maybe Miriam’s had a bellyful of marriage for a while. When you’ve lived with an abusive man, it’s not easy to trust another one of them,” Hannah said.

“Of course, you’re right. Well, I’ll just put this out of my mind and stop trying to be a matchmaker.” Amelia added the glass to the dishwasher.

18

Randy Banks

Grace felt guilty. She had neglected the Bankses, had not sought out Myrtle Banks to share the information she garnered at the veterans hospital or been back to see Randy. Nor had she asked Hannah about Lucy. In fact, she had neglected all the young people in her life for what seemed like ages, including Tyler and his sister, Melissa. She had not spoken to her son, Roger, in South Carolina, but he hadn’t phoned her either, which indicated that he was busy and happy.

What was she to do? She couldn’t force Randy to go to the VA hospital and talk to the counselor. Grace waited and prayed for direction. When the phone rang early the next morning and a tearful Myrtle Banks asked if she could talk to her, Grace agreed immediately.

“I got me the day off. Could you meet me at the diner on Elk Road, so as we could be alone?” Myrtle asked.

“I’ll be happy to meet you,” Grace replied, certain this was about Randy.

Myrtle waited for Grace at the chrome-and-red diner. Black-and-white tiles covered the wall behind the eating counter. They slid into the red vinyl seats of a booth.

“I hope this ain’t put you to too much trouble,” Myrtle said.

Grace reached across the table and rested her hand on Myrtle’s. “Now don’t you worry. It’s no trouble at all. I’m glad you called. How are you? How are Randy and the rest of the family?”