Table of Contents
Cover Page
Excerpt
Dear Reader
Title Page
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Epilogue
Preview
Copyright
My friends, our sweet Tibby is withering on the vine.
But WinnieRalph Hopples the only bachelor in Yaqui Springs, Henrietta Feeney ventured timidly. Hes sixty-five if hes a day. Besides, do you think Tibby wants us meddling in that part of her life?
Winnie Toliver leaned closer and lowered her voice. Tibby mustnt know. We have to find an acceptable single man between the ages of twenty-eight and thirty-five and somehow entice him to settle in Yaqui Springs.
Who? wailed Mabel. And how?
Mabel, you sound like an owl, Winnie snapped. I didnt say it would be easy. It will require a lot of thought and possibly some scouting. Lets meet again one week from today. Ill expect everyone to bring some workable suggestions.
Mabel jumped to her feet and clapped. Winnie, youre right! I always said old age and treachery will win out over youth and skill any day!
Dear Reader,
I was delighted to learn that Sweet Tibby Mack is the launch book for Superromances in-series promotion, MATCHMAKER, MATCHMAKER. In some parts of the world, the role of matchmaker is not taken lightly. Official matchmakers present the prospective grooms offer to the brides family and negotiate the dowry. Here, its an informal roleusually entered into enthusiastically by well-meaning friends and family members.
Most women have experienced matchmaking, either aggressive or low-key. To many its a source of amusement, to others a situation abhorred. But for some it works. My own marriage is the result of my husbands sister bringing me in as a decoy to break up a relationship he had with another woman. Im not sure the matchmaker expected her efforts to end in anything as permanent as marriage, however.
But, alas, too often matchmaking doesnt go as fondly planned. Its almost always fraught with problems--and frequently backfires, as Tibby Macks friends discover when they endeavor to find her the perfect husband.
I hope you enjoy Tibbys experienceand her matchmakers!
Roz
P.S. I love to hear from readers. Write to me at: P.O. Box 17480-101 Tucson, Arizona 85731
Sweet Tibby Mack
Roz Denny Fox
www.millsandboon.co.uk
My heartfelt thanks to Gloriajean and Jim Boone for
recounting the joysand less-than-joyous experiencesconnected
with building a public golf course on private land.
May you have smoother sailing on the back nine.
For those readers not fluent in golfs bewildering language,
I offer the information the
Boones so kindly gave me:
In golf, when it comes to score, less is best.
par: number of strokes set for a hole, depending on difficulty birdie: one stroke under par eagle: two strokes under par bogey: one stroke over par double bogey: two strokes over par irons and woods: two types of golf clubs
PROLOGUE
I SUPPOSE YOU LADIES are wondering why I called this emergency meeting of the Moped Mavericks. Winnie Toliver, the groups president, was a born leader. Energy all but crackled around her short gray curls as she paced the width of the Yaqui Springs recreation center.
The others immediately quieted.
Im concerned about our sweet Tibby, Winnie said, referring to the youngest resident living in their retirement community. Each woman present had had a hand in Tibby Macks early upbringing. A few days ago shed turned twenty-six.
Gracious, Tibby isnt ill, is she? asked Mabel Sparks, a retired teacher who had scheduled Tibbys home schooling from age ten through eighteen.
Yaqui Springs sat on the west bank of the Salton Sea in Californias Imperial Valley. Since it comprised mainly retired citizens, the county saw no need to provide transportation to elementary or secondary schools. Outside of Tibby, the youngest person in the loosely formed community was fifty-six.
Tibbys not sick, Winnie assured the others quickly, halting the murmurs of sympathy that threatened to disrupt the meeting. Since her grandmother passed on, rest Laras soul, Tibbys scarcely stopped running. Each week the child takes on more chores.
Ariel Pulaski patted her new perm. You arent suggesting she close the beauty shop, are you? Its so handy.