The tension began to drain out of her. Destiny inhaled deeply, thankful to be alone. A movement down the street caught her eye and she swung her gaze in that direction.
“Come here, girl!” Velda was imperiously waving at her, beckoning her up the street.
Destiny had forgotten to make herself invisible to the human eye. Velda shrieked again, waving so enthusiastically she nearly fell from her chair at Inez’s side. Knowing she did not have it in her to deny the old lady, Destiny jogged along the sidewalk until she was a few feet from the two sisters. They were smiling at her with open, welcoming smiles, without guile, hiding nothing.
“At last! I’ve spotted you several times,” Velda said with satisfaction, “haven’t I, Sister? Haven’t I told you such a pretty young woman shouldn’t be out be herself so late at night? You need a young man. Don’t worry, Inez and I have been giving it some thought, figuring just what man you should be with.”
Destiny’s eyebrow shot up and she blinked rapidly trying to assimilate what Velda was saying. Were the two women looking to hook her up with someone? “You don’t even know me. I could be a horrible person. You wouldn’t want to stick some poor unsuspecting man with me, now would you?”
Velda and Inez looked at each other, then beamed at her. “Now, dearie, you’re a nice little thing. You need a man and a place to stay. We’ve been thinking about the little apartment across the street there. We think it would suit you just fine. I’m Velda, and this is my sister Inez. Ask anyone—we have a reputation as matchmakers.”
Destiny had never thought of herself as being a “little thing,” and a reluctant smile found its way briefly to her eyes.
“There, dear, so much better when you smile.” Velda’s pink-tipped hair swung breezily as her head bobbed. “I have the second sight, you know. I see a young man for you. Quite handsome, with nice manners.”
“Rich, dear,” Inez added. “Velda told me he’s rich and handsome.” She beamed, her purple hair glowing in the dark. “That should make you happy. Settle down, dear, have two or three children. You’ll be happy. I wanted ten, but Velda stole my beau right out from under my nose.”
Destiny gaped at the two elderly women as they patted an empty lawn chair insistently. They clearly expected her to join them. Not knowing how to decline graciously, she slid gingerly into the chair. She was aware of Nicolae’s amusement at her uncomfortable predicament. Aware of the warmth of his laughter brushing her mind. Turning her attention to the two sisters, she determinedly ignored him, wondering fleetingly how they could be so closely connected. How could he touch her mind when he had not taken her blood?
Velda snorted, patting Destiny’s arm. She didn’t seem to notice Destiny wincing or drawing away. “Inez was such a beauty. All the men wanted her. She wouldn’t choose, you know. She liked having them chase her. She’s making up a story about my stealing her beau. I’m a true spinster. I never wanted a man in my life, and she certainly didn’t want ten babies! Did you, Inez? You wanted to sing in a bar.”
“I did sing in a bar,” Inez returned haughtily. She patted Destiny’s knee, unaware that Destiny was squirming to get out of reach. “I was a raving beauty, dear, not unlike you. But I had a real figure. I was no stick like you girls now. And I had a voice like an angel. Didn’t I, Sister?”
“An angel,” Velda agreed solemnly. She leaned close to Destiny. “Don’t look at me, dearie. Pretend you’re interested in the apartment over the dress shop there.” She waved airly, so Destiny followed the direction of her pointing finger. Immediately Velda lowered her voice to a conspirator’s whisper. “We’re thinking of hiring a private eye. We’ve been discussing it. I think we need someone hard-boiled like Mike Hammer, but Inez thinks an intellect like Perry Mason would be better. What do you think?”
Destiny gaped at her. She had no idea what or whom the sisters were referring to. “Why do you think you need a private detective?” It was the only thing she could think of to say. She had no idea how she had ended up sitting between these two eccentric women. The thought of two seventy-year-old women needing a “hard-boiled” detective was laughable. Destiny had watched the women for the last few months. They were open and honest and so much a part of the neighborhood, she couldn’t imagine the streets without them.