The Sweetheart Bargain (A Sweetheart Sisters Novel) by Shirley Jump Page B

Besides, I’m not hungry.”
    “I am,” Esther said.
    Greta shot her a glare.
    “Thanks again anyway, Mrs. Winslow, ladies, but I’ll have to take a rain check.” Then Olivia turned on her heel and headed toward the building. The automatic glass door opened with a whoosh and Olivia disappeared inside.
    Greta sighed. So much for Operation Happiness. Her first attempt at matchmaking had fizzled before it even got a chance to work. “Well,” she said to Pauline and Esther. “We’re going to have to work harder if we want to get those two together.”
    “Don’t you think love should come about naturally? Without any nudging?” Esther said.
    “Of course not. Where’s the fun in that?” Greta watched the retreating figure of the woman she was positive was her grandson’s perfect match and wondered whether it was possible to recruit a dog to join their team.
    Either that, or they needed a miracle, and as favors from God went, Greta didn’t think she had too many credits left in the Big Guy’s ledger.
    “We’re going to make this romance happen,” Greta said, “because Luke needs that woman. He’s just too stubborn to realize it.”
    “Stubborn? Gee, wonder where he got that trait?” Pauline put the Caddy in gear, then shot Greta a grin. “And I mean that in the nicest way, Greta.”
    Esther’s stomach growled and she pressed a hand to her gut. “Ladies, before we change the world, can we stop for muffins?”
    Greta sighed, cast her gaze heavenward, and prayed for patience. God’s response sounded a lot like laughter.

Six

    Olivia sat in one of the hard plastic chairs of the waiting room and drew in a deep breath. The air-conditioned cool air filled her lungs, expanded her chest, but didn’t slow her stuttering heart. She kept a hand on her knee to keep her leg from tapping her nerves against the tile floor.
    Her sister. She was about to meet her sister.
    Of course, Diana Tuttle, DVM, didn’t know that. Probably didn’t even know Olivia existed. Or if she had known, and she hadn’t looked her up, maybe she didn’t want anything to do with a long-lost sister.
    Maybe if Olivia had pushed harder for information, she would have learned about her sister by now. But every time Olivia started to ask about Bridget, the questions lodged in her throat. After the disappointment of the house and the lack of any kind of note or letter or explanation, Olivia hadn’t had the heart to dig for more information.
    It didn’t take a Mensa applicant to figure out why Olivia wasn’t asking questions. She was merely doing what she did best—avoiding hurt and disappointment. She’d had enough of that to last a long time.
    Now she sat in the waiting room, nervous energy bubbling inside her, and envied a woman she had never met the relationship she’d had with a woman who was already gone.
    Olivia glanced around the room, taking in the bright yellow and orange plastic chairs, the butter-yellow tiled floor, the parade of animals painted above the wainscoting. The waiting area of Diana Tuttle, DVM, was cheery, happy, pretty. The staff who had greeted Olivia had been friendly, warm, all boding for a good experience at the vet.
    A couple sat across from Olivia, taking turns trying to calm a yowling cat inside a carrier, while a heavyset man in the corner kept a tight hold on the leash of a curious chihuahua nosing around the chairs and end tables. Olivia glanced at the six-panel oak door that led to the exam rooms, then again at the clock, then back again at the door. The nerves tightened her throat, and in her arms, the golden lifted his head, brown eyes wary. Olivia exhaled and forced herself to relax. “Sorry, buddy.” She stroked one long golden ear, and the dog settled with a sigh.
    The door opened again and a short blond vet tech in animal-print scrubs held up a folder. “Chance?”
    It took a second for Olivia to recognize the name she’d impulsively given to the stray dog when she’d checked in. She got to her