still lingered on Delilah's clothes

ide, the scent of somethin

scent of spices and herbs that ma

the café, it was exa

houlders slumping in relief. She moved toward the kitchen, follow

nto the kitchen, and fou

irring a pot of what smelled

s tied back in a neat bun, gle

y of someone half her years and the warm

. "I knew you wouldn't be cooking tonight, lazy girl,"

iss. "You know me too well, Aunt Mar

you, you'd starve yourself before getting

hed her hands and moved to help. "Okay, okay, I a

nly sounds in the kitchen being the bubbling stew a

nd Delilah carried her plate to the dining

ing room filled with the sm

tion as the flavors danced on her tongue

lilah, a thoughtful look on her face

need to tell you," she began

said, chewing on a piece of chicken, too lost in the d

a deep breath. "I've found a

anded like

n suspended in mid-air,

had gone completely silent, as if th

ated, her voice barely abov

't expec

who was watching her close

itor made Delilah

d, her voice warm and encou

, trying to collect her thoughts. "Aunt

"Delilah, I've noticed how you've been avoiding men. I understand aft

looked

ful events that followed-the men she'd dated who had proven to

every man is like what you've faced, she wanted

ng as she reached across the table to hold Delilah's hand. "With your parents gone, it's

. You're not going to die of old age anytime soon." She squeezed he

yful smack to Delilah's hand, she added, "If I'm so young, then hurry u

aintly. She knew how much Mary cared, but this

w you're happy and with someone who'll take care of you. The suitor I found

her food. She picked up her spoon again, hoping to steer the

in knowing about him?" Mary aske

n't even lo

omething on the screen. "Well, maybe seeing him will change your mind." She tur

trap her aunt had set, but as her eyes caught a glimpse

could stop traffic with just one glance. His black hair was short but styled

oal, stared back with an intensity tha

ures, the coldness of his expression, and the

uddenly feeling u

in, her appetite vanishing under t

Mary said with a knowing smile,

st bite of her food has

chair as she stood. "I'll think about it

playful voice follo

f-turning with a sh

her response had made her beam. Mary, ever the opt

y exclaimed, her voice

the kitchen, setting

er as she took a deep breath, trying to

yes haunting her. She could feel her pulse thudding in her che

going to let herself fall into another sit

andsome or not. She had dealt with enough to know better than t

her aunt had thrown her way before,

yone, especially not someone who looked like

resolved not to be swayed, no matter how cold and cal