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go on the call?” she whispered. She didn’t want Kayla to hear in case things hadn’t gone well.
    “Good. I might have known you’d remember,” he said, leaning closer.
    For some odd reason, her heart rate increased. She felt a bit breathless when he stared at her for so long. Flustered, she turned to check on Kayla.
    To Richard’s immediate left sat Fallon and Lance. From the first, it was obvious he was more interested in Fallon than he was in Naomi and Kayla. For once, Fallon seemed interested as well.
    On Naomi’s immediate right sat Kayla, Catherine, and Luke. His mother, Ruth Grayson, and fellow Women’s League member Amanda Poole were seated at the head and foot of the table, respectively. On the other side were Rio, Sierra and Blade, Morgan and Phoenix, and Brandon and Faith.
    Ruth Grayson came gracefully to her feet. Today she wore a beautifully cut teal suit instead of her usual casual attire. The men started to stand, but she waved them back to their seats. It was as clear as it had always been to Naomi that Ruth Grayson was loved as well as respected by her children, in-laws, and friends.
    Quietness settled around the table. “I’m pleased you could join us this afternoon to celebrate another successful fund-raiser for the Women’s League, thanks to Catherine and Kayla.”
    “Mrs. Grayson, don’t forget Teddy.” Kayla held up her bear.
    Momentarily embarrassed, Naomi reached to push Kayla’s hand down, but applause erupted.
    “Go, Kayla!” Richard shouted.
    “Go, Teddy!” Catherine said.
    “Go, Cath!” Luke yelled.
    “And Teddy,” Ruth amended, smiling warmly at her daughter-in-law and Kayla. “I can’t thank you enough. We’ll be able to help more women in need because of your generosity and talent.” She turned to Faith. “Thanks to my other daughter-in-law for providing a lovely place for us to eat and wind down. “
    “Go, Faith!” Brandon shouted; then he kissed his blushing wife on the cheek as more applause erupted.
    “Now that the Women’s League has surpassed its budget expectations quite nicely, I’m turning my attention to another project.”
    Groans were heard around the table, especially from the Grayson men. “Mama, no,” Luke said. “Not again.”
    Naomi’s gaze swung to Richard. He was looking at Ruth with affection. Most of the residents in town knew of Ruth Grayson’s successful matchmaking efforts. Despite her children’s resistance, she’d found the perfect person for each of them—with the exception of Sierra, who was always quick to point out that she had picked Blade herself. Mrs. Grayson had even helped a few of their friends find love. Was Richard on her list? Naomi didn’t know why she felt a mild sense of panic at the thought.
    “Not that kind of project,” Sierra said with a laugh. “This one is to raise funds for the music department she’s chair of at St. John’s. I’m helping.”
    More groans from the Grayson men and mutters about the “little general” and smiles and offers to help from their wives. Sierra sipped her sparkling cider and winked at Catherine.
    Blade chuckled. “I’ll do my best to restrain her.”
    His announcement didn’t seem to satisfy her brothers. Even Naomi knew Sierra wasn’t afraid of the devil. She always did what she wanted.
    “Phoenix, I’m delighted you were able to come,” Ruth said to her other daughter-in-law as she took her seat. “I realize you were busy getting your sculpture pieces ready for your gallery showing in two weeks.”
    “Thank me.” Morgan kissed his wife on the cheek. “I have ways.”
    “You certainly do,” Phoenix quipped with a grin.
    All the adults laughed except Naomi. They meant intimacy; intimacy meant degradation. She never wanted that in her life again.
    Faith signaled the waiters to serve the family-style dishes. Naomi lifted her head to help Kayla with her napkin and food, but Catherine was already helping her settle Teddy in the high chair Faith had thoughtfully