Knit to Be Tied (4 page)

Marty popped from around the corner of Molly's small bedroom. “Hey, Molly, look who's here. Cassie!” He hiked Molly up onto his shoulders and held on to her legs as he strode over to join the group.

“Careful, Marty!” Lisa warned, hand reaching up.

“He's not going to drop her,” Greg reassured her.

“I don't know,” Kelly said, peering at Marty as he bounced into the room. “When he does stuff like this, I remember how clumsy he was when we first met him.”

“You mean, when we first met Spot, the Wonder Dog?” Steve joked as he leaned back on the sofa.

Molly, meanwhile, was laughing happily as her father danced around with her, both little fists clasping Marty's red hair.

“Okay, Molly, time to let go,” Marty said, and Molly gave several yanks.

“Ooooooo, I remember baby hair yanks from babysitting my cousins' kids when I was in high school,” Jennifer said.

“But it's so much fun,” Marty said, grimacing once again.

Cassie walked over then and clapped both hands in front of Molly and Marty. “Hey, Molly! I've got a special treat for you! Wanta see it? Wanta see it?”

Molly's attention immediately shifted to Cassie's smiling face. She released her death grip on Marty's hair and reached both arms out for Cassie.

“That's a girl,” Cassie said, taking Molly into her arms.

“She's got the magic touch,” Kelly said, watching Cassie do a little bounce step while she held Molly.

“Thank goodness,” Megan said, coming back into the room, a Fat Tire ale in her hand. “We tried using some of the nursing students at first, then some older babysitters that had recommendations.” Megan rolled her eyes. “None of them worked out that well. They all said Molly cried a whole lot while we were gone.”

“And that made you guys feel awful, I'm sure,” Lisa said, leaning against boyfriend Greg, who was perched on the arm of a huge cushioned chair beside the sofa.

“Oh, yeah,” Marty agreed, squatting down on a hassock beside a comfy chair.

“Well, I'm sure glad Kelly told us about that babysitting class early this summer,” Jennifer said as she leaned against the kitchen counter. “Cassie loved it, and she learned a lot. Even CPR techniques on babies and children. She was already hoping to start babysitting this summer, so it was perfect timing.”

“Look what I've got,” Cassie said, reaching into her jeans
pocket and bringing out a small gray elephant. “An elephant! See his trunk.”

She held the flexible little toy closer to Molly, who immediately reached for it and brought it straight to her mouth.

“That's her ID check,” Marty said, chuckling.

“Don't worry, I washed it off carefully before I brought it over,” Cassie reassured him.

“Did you pay for that with your babysitting money?” Pete asked with a grin. “That was thoughtful of you.”

“It sure was, sweetie. You didn't need to do that,” Megan said.

“Better start saving that money for college, kid,” Greg teased. “The university keeps raising tuition, even for Colorado residents.”

“Oh, I am saving,” Cassie said, swaying side to side with a little bounce in between. “Eric's saving for a car already. He doesn't get paid for chores around his folks' ranch, but Uncle Curt pays him to do chores around his ranch. Eric's got a bank account and everything.”

Kelly glanced over at Pete and Jennifer. “I think that's a subtle hint, guys. Better take her to the bank before school starts.”

“Sounds like a good plan, Cassie,” Pete told his niece. “Let's find an afternoon this next week when we can go over to the bank together and start a savings account for you.”

Cassie beamed. “Thanks, Uncle Pete. I've been keeping it in a jewelry box. That'll be great.” She glanced around the room, where Kelly and friends were relaxing. “Are you guys gonna try to get dinner before the game or afterwards?”

Steve checked his watch. “We were going to grab something at the concession stand before we have to take the field and start to warm-up. Then we thought we'd stop in Old Town for pizza afterwards. Is that too late for you?” He glanced to Pete and Jennifer. “How late is she allowed to stay up babysitting on a Saturday night?”

“Jen and I talked about it and decided eleven o'clock would be her deadline. Until she's older, that is.” He grinned at Cassie.

“Okay, there we have it,” Steve said, shifting forward in the chair. “We have our marching orders. Shouldn't be a problem.”

“You know, you guys should start leaving now,” Cassie said, nodding toward the door. “Molly's playing with the elephant, and we're going over to the corner with the toy box. But first, we can go into her room and grab her favorite teddy bear.”

“Smart strategy,” Greg said, smiling, then stood up. “Let's do as Cassie says and go while the going's good.”

“Sounds good,” Pete said with a grin, escorting Jennifer toward the front door. “Cassie, we'll see you later. I'd give you a kiss but I don't want to draw attention to the Group Exit.”

“You got it, Uncle Pete,” Cassie said with a grin, then bounced and danced toward the enormous toy box in the corner of Megan and Marty's great room. Molly was still gnawing on the elephant.

Megan put her Fat Tire bottle on the counter. “I hope that thing isn't made of something toxic,” she said softly as Marty beckoned her toward the door.

“Don't worry, Megan,” Cassie's voice called from the corner. “I looked up the manufacturer online and checked reviews.”

“Come on, honey,” Marty called to Megan, who had hurried over to give Molly a quick kiss on the cheek. Molly gurgled and bopped her mother on the head with the gray elephant.

Kelly laughed quietly as she and Steve placed their empty bottles on the counter and they started toward the door. “This generation is gonna be so wired. I love it.”

“Oh, yeah,” Steve said with a grin. “See you later, Cassie,” Steve said with a wave as he and Kelly walked out the door. Greg and Lisa were already outside getting into their car, as were Pete and Jennifer. Megan and Marty were walking toward their driveway.

Another beautiful summer night in Fort Connor, Kelly thought as she and Steve walked to his truck. Tonight should bring another fat and full moon. She could see it now pale in the still-bright August sky. Steve had been right. He'd told her the gang would still be able to get together once Megan and Marty became parents. They would simply use a babysitter, like their other acquaintances did. And what a perfect babysitting solution they had found in Cassie.

“Well,
hi there,” Kelly said to Lisa as she walked into Lambspun's main room.

Monday afternoon had been busier than usual, so a fiber and knitting break was in order. Kelly plopped her knitting bag onto the library table. She could hear the sounds of voices coming from the adjoining workroom and figured Mimi or someone was teaching a class.

“You must be caught up with your accounts and are taking a break like I am,” Lisa said as she looked up from the rose red yarn she was working. Kelly couldn't tell what it was going to be yet, because there were only a few rows of stitches on Lisa's needles.

“Right you are,” Kelly said as she settled into a chair across the table from Lisa. “My Denver client has been moving and shaking again. He's remodeling a sports store in one
of the larger shopping centers in Northglenn. It's one of the largest in the Denver suburbs, so there're always a lot of customers. But apparently, there have been some customer complaints that a few of the more extreme winter sports didn't have enough equipment carried in that store. So it looks like inventory numbers will be increasing along with the remodeling.”

“I just love it when you talk accounting,” Lisa teased. “Inventory sounds so sexy.”

“I guess it depends on what's in the inventory,” Kelly played along. “If it was a lingerie store like some of those we see in the malls, then the inventory could be described as sexy.”

Kelly pulled out the scarf she was knitting for Mimi's charity project. Royal blue yarn dangled from the needles. Another row and Kelly could start to bind off. Almost finished. She picked up the stitches where she'd left off. “How's your friend Nancy doing? Have you spoken to her? I have to admit I've thought about her and the situation with her pregnancy.”

Lisa's expression sobered. “Yes, I saw her at the university yesterday. And she said she finally got her things out of the other apartment and was moving back home with her dad.”

“How did he react when she told him about the coming baby?” Kelly glanced up briefly from her stitches. The familiar rhythm was settling in now. Sliding the needle under the stitch. Wrapping the yarn. Sliding the stitch off one needle onto the other.
Slip, wrap, slide
.
Slip, wrap, slide
. Another yarn row forming on her needles.

“She was going to tell him last night. I was hoping to see her today after I'd finished my classes, but she wasn't around. Maybe tomorrow.”

The tinkling doorbell sounded around the corner from the foyer. In a minute Nancy Marsted walked into the main room. Propitious timing, Kelly thought, as she watched Nancy give her a quick smile then hurry over to the other side of the table next to Lisa.

“Hey there, Nancy,” Lisa said with a welcoming smile. “I've been thinking about you. Are you all settled in at your dad's house?”

Nancy nodded, medium brown hair falling across her forehead. She brushed it back. “Yes, I brought all my stuff over last night and moved in.”

“Did you have a chance to talk with him?” Lisa asked in a quieter voice.

Nancy glanced briefly at Kelly, and Kelly stopped knitting, ready to get up and move into the workroom with the current class.

“Kelly was worried that you looked so upset the other day, so I shared your news with her. Kelly is very discreet and she also gives good advice. So we can speak freely.”

A little surprised by Lisa's compliment, Kelly spoke up. “I hope you're feeling okay, Nancy. Are you seeing a doctor yet? I remember how Megan was those first few months when she was pregnant with Molly.”

“Not yet,” Nancy said, looking down a trifle bashfully.

“Don't worry. I know about all the good doctors here in Fort Connor,” Lisa said with an authoritative nod.

“And our friend Megan is a great reference, too. She is mega-detail-oriented and she's got recommendations for everything,” Kelly added.

“Now, how did your talk with your father go?”

“Oh, my dad was really understanding, like always,” Nancy said earnestly. “In fact, he's kind of excited about the baby. He's been lonely ever since my mom died three years ago. That's not what I'm worried about.”

“Oh?” Lisa put her needles down in her lap. “What's bothering you?”

“My dad said he was going to have a talk with Neil . . . my boyfriend.” Nancy glanced down briefly. “And I have a bad feeling about that. Neil is still refusing to talk to me. I tried to talk with him after a class yesterday, and he just ignored me and walked away.” This time Nancy stared at her hands in her lap, her fingers clasped tightly together.

“Nancy, your father is an experienced counselor. I know him,” Lisa said and leaned forward toward Nancy. “I've seen him work with others. He's in charge of counseling newcomers to an Alcoholics Anonymous group in town. He's used to handling all sorts of situations. I don't think you should worry. In fact, he may be able to meet with your boyfriend and get through to him.”

Yeah, and let Neil know he's a jerk
, Kelly thought to herself. But she didn't say anything. She didn't want to interrupt the quiet counseling Lisa was engaged in with Nancy. Kelly could tell how anxious Nancy was when she noticed her bitten fingernails. The first time Kelly met Nancy a few days ago, she'd noticed how nicely manicured Nancy's nails
were. No more. Nancy's understandable stress had taken a toll on her hands.

“I hope so. But . . . but my dad is always optimistic about things. Even years ago when he was still drinking, I remember he would always encourage me and convince me I could solve any problem.” A little smile flirted with the corners of Nancy's mouth. “He'd say, ‘You can do it, Sunshine. You can do anything you set your mind to.'”

Kelly let her needles rest in her lap, watching Nancy's face. The anxious expression had vanished for a moment and she'd brightened visibly. But only for a moment, then the worry returned.

“He calls you Sunshine?” Kelly asked, smiling at Nancy. “That brings back memories of my father. He used to call me ‘Tiger' when I was growing up.”

“Boy, was your dad psychic or what?” Lisa teased. “If we have a problem with someone, we sic Kelly on them. She'll go toe-to-toe with them. In your face.” Lisa laughed, eyes dancing.

“Lies, all lies,” Kelly said with a dismissive wave of her hand, joining Lisa's playfulness. Nancy looked like she could do with a few moments of lighthearted conversation.

Nancy's little smile returned. “Your father sounds a lot like mine. Does he live here?”

“He used to years ago. In fact, I grew up here until I was twelve, then we had to move. But my dad is dead now. Smoking.”

Kelly picked up her knitting needles again. “Did you grow up here in Fort Connor? Lots of the university students are local.”

“No, my dad and I moved here six years ago after my mom died. We lived in Wisconsin, where my dad and mom grew up. But I finished high school here. We both fell in love with Fort Connor and Colorado when we got here. The mountains and the Cache La Poudre River running through town.”

“That sounds like most of us,” Lisa said, picking up her needles again, too.

“Boy, how many times have I heard that story?” Kelly asked with a smile. “I wish I had a dollar for every time I've heard that a university student decided to stay here once they came.”

Lisa leaned over and placed her hand on Nancy's arm. “Don't worry, Nancy. Your father is just being your dad. He wants to talk to your boyfriend Neil. And I'm sure it will go well. Let's think positive, okay? Maybe your dad can get through Neil's attitude.”

Kelly had to bite her lip to keep from adding “Neil's bad attitude” to the end of Lisa's sentence. Nancy didn't say anything, simply gave a little nod. But Kelly noticed her momentarily relaxed fingers had clenched each other tightly once more.

Just then, a cheerful voice came into the room. “Well, hello, girls!” Mimi chirped, giving them a bright smile. “I don't believe I know your friend, Lisa.”

“Mimi, this is Nancy Marsted. She's a graduate student at the university, too. We met in one of our classes together, and I convinced her to start knitting.”

Mimi's pretty face lit up. “That's wonderful! I'm so glad you stopped by to visit us, Nancy. What are you working on?”

Nancy gave Mimi a small smile. “I've started a baby sweater but I haven't gotten very far. I'm not really very good at knitting.”

“Well, we can certainly help with that,” Mimi said, walking around to that side of the table. “Do you have it with you, dear? I'd be glad to help you if you'd like.” Mimi pulled out the chair next to Nancy.

“Well, yes . . . it's down in the bottom of my shoulder bag,” Nancy said with a sheepish look as she lifted her large fabric bag from the floor. She dug into the bag and pulled out a tangled mass of yarn and two dangling needles. “Uh-oh, I'm afraid I've ruined it.”

Mimi gave a little wave of her hand. “Nonsense, we specialize in rescuing knitting projects, don't we, girls?” She gently took the tangled mess from Nancy's hands.

Lisa and Kelly exchanged a glance and nodded dutifully as they answered in unison, “Absolutely.” Mother Mimi to the rescue. Perfect timing.

•   •   •

Kelly
pulled her car into a parking space in the driveway between the knitting shop and her cottage. Being inside her car with the air-conditioning, Kelly felt the shock of the August heat the moment she stepped from her car. Thank goodness August usually marked the time when the hotter temperatures of the summer gradually moderated week by week into the lower eighties by the end of the month or early September.

Slipping her briefcase bag over her shoulder, Kelly grabbed her travel mug and walked into the green shade of
the café's garden patio. It was time for a refill after spending the morning with client Arthur Housemann debating which rental property would be a better purchase.

Her cell phone jangled then and Kelly deliberately stepped sideways along the flagstone path so as not to disturb the customers enjoying lunch at the outside tables dotted among the flowering bushes and decorative trees. Steve's name appeared on the phone screen.

“Hey there. Are you going to be down from that mountain property in time to make it to the game tonight?”

“I should be. I'm actually on the edge of Denver now at a coffee shop off the interstate,” Steve's voice came over the phone. “After I get some things done at the office, I can head home. Of course, there's rush hour, but what else is new?”

“Sounds like a plan. I'll already be at Rolland Moore field since our game starts early at six. So don't rush heading over there. You'll have time to stop by a fast food place or a deli and grab something better than concession fare. Cassie's team doesn't start playing until seven thirty.”

“That's a good idea. By the end of the season, concession park franks are getting a little tired.” He chuckled.

“I hear you. Drive safely, and look out for the crazies, okay?”

“Always. See you later.” Steve's phone clicked off.

Kelly dropped her cell phone back into her bag and started to move away from the shady corner of the garden when Jennifer walked over to her. “Do you have a minute, Kelly?”

“Sure, what's up?”

Jennifer gestured to a nearby empty table. “Why don't we sit down. Lunchtime is winding down so Julie can handle it. If she needs my help, she'll give me a wave.”

“Sounds like a good idea. You probably need to get off your feet by now anyway,” Kelly said as she settled into a black wrought iron chair.

Jennifer sat across the circular table and momentarily closed her eyes. “Wow, it does feel good to sit down.”

Kelly smiled and waved at passing waitress Julie. “Jen will never ask for it, but could you snag her an iced tea while you fill up my mug, please?”

“Sure, no problem,” Julie said with a bright smile. “I'm glad you got her to take a break. Jen usually refuses.”

“I've got the magic touch,” Kelly said with a laugh. Watching Julie walk away, Kelly glanced at her longtime friend. “So what's going on? Everything okay?”

“Yeah, the café's going great. I just thought I'd give you an update. Pete spoke with Cassie last night after ball practice and told her that her mother, Tanya, wants her to come down to Denver for a weekend before school starts to spend some time with her.”

Kelly stared at her friend's face. She noticed some of the worry lines she'd seen the other day. “What did Cassie say to that idea? I mean, how did she respond? Were you there when they talked?”

Jennifer nodded. “Yes, I was there while they talked. Cassie was confused, understandably. I could tell from the expression on her face. She asked Pete why. ‘Why does my mom want to see me now?'”

“Good question. That would be the first thing I'd ask, too. Why, after all those years of ignoring her, would Tanya suddenly become interested?”

Jennifer caught Kelly's gaze. “That was my first thought, too. But I kept it to myself.”

“What did Pete say? Cassie's a smart girl. He'd have to give her a believable reason.”

“Yeah. And I think he did. Pete explained that it was really important to Tanya. And she wanted to get to know Cassie better before she was all grown up.”

Kelly felt that resonate inside, and she nodded. “That is a good reason. What did Cassie say?”

“I could tell it made sense to her, watching her face,” Jennifer said as she glanced toward the green bushes. Thickened by summer's heat and regular watering, their leaves had grown wide and fat, spreading like waiting fans in the quiet and still shade.

Another thought surfaced in the back of Kelly's mind. “There's only one thing which could complicate that. Softball season is coming to a close. The league championship games have started already. They're playing tonight in the second round. And the final games won't be until next weekend. Cassie probably won't want to miss those games, I'm guessing.”