Free Ready to Wed by Melody Carlson Page B

town,” he said to Belle, “but what about our bachelors? Anyone out there that looks like marriage material?”
    Belle waved her hand at Lloyd, feigning, it seemed to Alice, embarrassment. “Well, I’ve only met a few, mind you, but from what I’ve seen there are some good prospects out there.”
    “You know that our mayor is single too?” asked Alice, then instantly regretted her words. She knew that Ethel considered Lloyd off-limits.
    “Why, I can’t imagine what’s wrong with the good women of Acorn Hill to let a fine specimen of a man like you slip through the matrimonial net.”
    He chuckled. “It’s not for lack of trying, my dear.”
    Alice had expected him to mention her aunt as part ofthe reason he was still unmarried. And to her surprise, she felt defensive that he had not.
    “Then tell me, Lloyd,” said Belle as she fluttered her long eyelashes, “what exactly is it that keeps a good man like you from surrendering to matrimonial bliss?”
    “Are you asking out of your own personal interest?” Lloyd cocked his head to one side, using what seemed an almost flirtatious tone. “Or are you simply collecting information to use against a particular male who may be resistant to your obvious charms?”
    She waved her hand at him again. “Oh, you are so terribly sweet. I’ll bet sugar doesn’t even melt in your mouth.”
    He chuckled. “Well, I suppose if the truth be told—I mean if I were to address the primary reason that I seem unable to surrender to matrimony—it would be that I simply enjoy being a bachelor.”
    “But don’t you get lonely sometimes?” She leaned forward.
    “As mayor, I have a rather full life, Belle. I’m included in the major social functions, and I get invited to dinner a lot. I don’t really have time to be lonely.”
    “Lloyd is a very social person,” said Alice.
    “But what about on a cold winter’s evening?” persisted Belle. “When you’re home alone, don’t you just crave someone warm to cuddle up to?”
    Lloyd looked as embarrassed as Alice felt by this rather personal question. He seemed relieved when Hope set a piece of pie before him. “My, my, but doesn’t this look good.”
    “This may be a challenge for you,” warned Hope. “I would’ve given you a smaller piece, but June had already cut up the pie.”
    Lloyd sunk his fork into the fluffy confection. “Thank you, Hope.”
    “Did you hear that the church basement suffered some water damage?” Alice attempted to redirect a conversation to a safer topic.
    “No,” said Lloyd. “Is it serious?”
    She explained what little she knew of the situation to him, then turned to Belle. “Lloyd is on the church board of Grace Chapel.”
    “Oh,” said Belle. “I had the pleasure of meeting Rev. Thompson this morning.” She sighed. “He seems like a wonderful person.”
    “He’s a very good man,” said Lloyd. Then he glanced at Alice with a questioning look. “And he’s also a bachelor.” The last word came out very slowly.
    “Yes,” said Belle. “I know.”
    “Aha,” Lloyd nodded knowingly. “Our good pastor is a viable candidate then?”
    Belle tipped her head down and smiled shyly. “Well,God did send me that dream, Lloyd. I simply cannot rule out anyone just yet.”
    “Not even an old mayor?” teased Lloyd as he straightened his bow tie.
    “Not even a charming mayor.”
    Alice had a strong urge to point out that Lloyd was almost old enough to be Belle’s grandfather, but she stopped herself. Alice felt certain that Lloyd could never seriously fall for Belle’s Southern allure. Although it was interesting: Belle in some ways reminded Alice of Ethel. They were both short and plump. They both enjoyed playing up their feminine charms. But, to be perfectly fair, Belle was softer around the edges than their occasionally sharp-tongued and somewhat bossy aunt. Still, it seemed preposterous to think that Lloyd would be seriously interested. No, Alice was convinced that she was simply