“Just say it, Clarice,” Mims grumped, gathering the cards.

They were more successful than those swiping dating apps. Privately, they called themselves the Sunshine Valley Matchmakers Club, a group devoted to helping Cupid’s arrow find its mark.

The trio made up the board of the Sunshine Valley Widows Club, a group devoted to providing emotional support to those who had lost their spouses. And the need for dates opened the door to matchmaking opportunities.Ĭlarice tapped her chin as if she was perplexed. Weddings generated lots of events, many of which created pressure to bring a date. Happiness swirled inside her chest like courting pigeons on a spring day. Clarice had been thinking about whom she’d select if she won ever since Haywood and Ariana first announced their engagement. “Who should I choose?” she wondered aloud but it wasn’t a rhetorical question. “The pot and game are mine.” And as the winner, she was allowed to choose whom they applied their matchmaking expertise to next. “Wrong! Full house!” Clarice tossed her cards down with such verve that her gray braids bounced. Not waiting for Clarice, Bitsy fanned her cards gracefully on the table. Two pair.” She snapped down her cards and tugged at the ends of her beige fishing vest. I got an invite because Ariana’s grandmother is my cousin. “Besides, everyone knows you give good gifts. “You helped Haywood pick out an engagement ring when you were having your jewelry cleaned.” Mims Turner tossed in two cents. “I’m not sure why I received an invitation.” She adjusted the black bow in her bobbed blond hair. Rumor had it the reception had a Bohemian theme, and Clarice dearly loved anything Bohemian.Ĭlarice and her two closest friends were playing a high-stakes poker game at the cozy home of Mims Turner.īitsy Whitlock checked her cards and then tossed in additional pennies. It seemed like everyone in the town of Sunshine, Colorado, was going except Clarice. “Was I the only one who didn’t get an invitation to Haywood and Ariana’s wedding?”

And raise you two cents.” Clarice Rogers tossed pennies into the pot in the middle of the card table.

Summer Kisses by Melinda Curtis