Till Death Do Us Purl Read Online Free PDF Page B

Isn’t it sweet?”
    Edie had already taken the project out of her bag and now smoothed it on the table. A creamy white baby sweater with a pink border. Edie had done a nice job, Lucy thought. The sweater was totally sweet and Lucy had to admit, these knitted baby items could get her biological crocodile ticking without too much encouragement.
    “That’s for my new grandbaby. A little somethingfor the spring. I have so many grandkids now, I can barely keep track of who I need to knit for next. I need to make a chart or something.”
    Edie suddenly rose, holding on to the table as she stood, then balanced on her big tan snow boots. The last flake had fallen some weeks ago, but Lucy knew Edie didn’t like to take any chances, and would probably wear the boots until the temperature hit at least fifty-five or even sixty.
    “Will you show me your famous button collection, Maggie?”
    “Help yourself,” Maggie said, though she only allowed her special customers that privilege. “Buttons for children’s wear are in the top drawer.”
    Edie eagerly ambled over to the cabinet and Lucy saw her cue to depart.
    “Well, I’d better get going. Tink must be restless. And I have to get cracking on the shrug, of course,” she added in a dutiful tone.
    “Don’t make me feel so guilty. I’m sure you’ll manage to squeeze in a few hours with Matt here and there. Despite your dedication to the cause.”
    Lucy laughed and zipped up her jacket. “We’ll get together tonight. But he has to pick up Dara tomorrow, and they have a busy schedule this weekend. A few birthday parties and some family events.” Lucy often spent time with Matt and Dara. But she wasn’t included this weekend, which was just as well, she thought. “Maybe I’ll finish on time after all.”
    “Yes, please. No excuses now,” Maggie warned as she walked Lucy to the door.
    Just as Lucy was leaving, Dana walkedin. “Ready for more yarn?” Maggie asked.
    “Not a moment too soon. I whipped right through that first skein.”
    Dana reached into her knitting bag and pulled out her shrug, which was coming along with enviable progress, Lucy noticed. Dana was definitely teacher’s pet today, wasn’t she? “Dana . . . don’t you have a life?”
    “Two patients canceled on me this morning. I tried to use the time productively. Besides, it’s not a race, Lucy,” she reminded her gently.
    “Don’t worry. You’ll catch up,” Maggie cut in, sounding very much like it was a race. “You have all weekend.”
    “That I do,” Lucy replied glumly. “See you.”
    As usual, Tink was inappropriately happy to see her and eagerly licked Lucy’s hands and face as she undid the leash from the post on the porch. “Thanks a bunch. I love you, too.”
    Tink answered with a wolfish smile and yanked Lucy down the steps to the street.
    Just me and my dog, Lucy realized. Which was sometimes a great relief.
    Lucy had the best intentions to focus on the shrug all weekend. But life and the usual chores—cleaning, grocery shopping, bringing Tink to get groomed—got in the way. She did make headway Saturday night, while watching a foreign film. But she realized too late that subtitles and knitting were not a recipe for speedy work. Sunday morning she took out the shrug before she’d even finished her coffee. But the newspaper and phone calls from her mother and sister were major speed bumps. After the gym, it was timeto get ready to see Matt and she was not much further along with the shrug Sunday night than she had been on Friday.
    On Monday morning, she found Maggie’s gentle but nudging reminder in her e-mail box.
     
    I trust that you’re all making great progress. No one has called with any problems, so the pattern must be even easier than we thought. Rebecca and I are zooming along with the gown. Wait until you see it. She’s coming to the shop tomorrow night for a final fitting, so please bring the shrugs over and we’ll have a little “block party.” :)
    XO,