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“They never worked out. At least, they didn’t the way I was hoping. I may be asking too much, but I sure would like to find myself a settling-down kind of man who doesn’t treat the good-old-boy macho creed as something handed down from on high.”
    â€œHow long have you been out of school?”
    â€œFour long years. And let me tell you, sister, I’m getting awful tired of looking.”
    â€œThere doesn’t appear to be a whole lot of single-male ground to cover out here in Edenton,” Deborah pointed out.
    â€œI know. But I couldn’t stand the strain of staying in Norfolk.” She gave a weary smile. “That town is filled with good-time boys and all that goes with them. Like temptations too strong for this girl.”
    â€œAt least you’re not too far away.”
    â€œYeah, going home is a real treat. My brothers are always on the lookout for marriage material. It’s gotten so I spend all my weekends listening to sales pitches for whichever buddy of theirs has just broken up or just gotten out of the service or something. I feel like I’m being shuttled around a used-car lot.”
    â€œYou going home this weekend?”
    â€œI’d thought about it, but I’m not sure I’m up to it. Why?”
    â€œJust wondering.” Deborah played it as casual as she could. “I’ve got a friend coming down from Washington I thought you might like to meet.”
    â€œThat might be nice,” Blair said neutrally. “So what about you, Debs? Do you have a score of lovers stashed away somewhere?”
    â€œNot hardly. I’m just not a romantic person, I guess. I don’t think I ever have been. When I was growing up, I couldn’t understand what all the fuss was about, with makeup and clothes and boys. I remember going to Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet , did you ever see the movie?”
    Blair nodded. “On video. Seven times. Cried my eyes out.”
    â€œOnce was more than enough for me. I went with some girlfriends right after it came out. They all sat there and bawled. I thought it was silly. Not the movie, it was really well done. The way they carried on, though, I never could understand that.”
    Blair cocked her head to one side as though trying to study something that remained just slightly out of focus. “Don’t you ever get lonely?”
    â€œThe million-dollar question. Sometimes, yes. I wish I had a good friend. Especially now, when there are bad days, I wish . . .” She shrugged. “But my wishes aren’t ever for a lover, not in the way you want a husband. Not that I think you’re wrong for wanting that. I just never have.” Debs smiled. “I find comfort where comfort is offered these days. And I have my cats.”
    â€œCats, plural?”
    â€œTwo. Cassandra and Rapunzel. They are as spoiled as cats can be. Himalayan. Probably the most expensive cat you can buy. Bred for looks, not brains.”
    â€œI think Himalayans are adorable.”
    â€œThank you. Cliff used to call them my walking decorative items.”
    â€œCliff?”
    â€œMy friend, the one who’s coming down this weekend. He also referred to them as the pillows that pee.”
    â€œAnd you stayed friends?”
    â€œCliff is a darling man who has a sort of skewed perspective on just about everything. I used to call him my perpetual challenge. He is very handsome, or at least I think he is. Maybe a year or two older than you. Blond and big and freckled, sort of like an overgrown kid. He is one of the most good-natured men I have ever met, which used to drive me crazy at times.”
    â€œWhat do you mean by a skewed perspective?”
    â€œOh, Cliff is the kind of guy who thinks the world ought to run along the track of what is right and good. I used to think he would have been better off being born in the days of chivalry, when he could go riding off on a white charger to rescue the