Dropped Dead Stitch Read Free

and onto the right. “He reminded them both that if they found out who the guy was and went to ‘teach him a lesson,’ they’d wind up being charged with assault. Then they would go to jail rather than the scumbag. Of course, Curt had lawyer Marty there to bolster his argument.”
    Megan blinked. “My Marty? I don’t remember his saying anything.”
    “Yes, your Marty. He made the legal case, and he probably didn’t tell you because if you recall you were still bursting into tears anytime someone mentioned what happened.” She gave Megan an encouraging smile. “So, that’s probably why Marty didn’t say anything.”
    Megan stared at her needles again. “I know, I know.”
    “Good thing Jennifer told you to knock it off, or you’d shrink your yarn.”
    Megan laughed at that.
    “I swear it was all we could do to keep Mimi from finding out,” Kelly said, picturing Mimi Shafer, the motherly shop owner. “She kept wondering why you were tearing up and leaving the table.”
    “I’m sorry, I couldn’t help it,” Megan said, fingers nimbly working the lemon yarn.
    “Thank goodness Mimi believed Jennifer’s story about getting caught in the middle of a bar fight. She was horrified enough to see her scratched, swollen face. If Mimi ever learned the truth, it would break her heart.” Kelly’s voice had dropped lower, so as not to be overheard.
    Other customers had entered the room and were browsing through the yarns. Two of the four walls of the main knitting room were covered with bins brimming over with yarns of wool and mohair, alpaca and silk. The other walls were lined with bookshelves, crammed with books on every fiber topic imaginable—knitting, crocheting, weaving, spinning, dyeing fibers, and every type of garment. And then, there were the magazines. Shelves of them. Kelly was always amazed at the wealth of information that appeared monthly. How could Mimi and her shop “elves” keep up with it all?
    “Great timing,” Jennifer’s voice sounded from the archway leading into the central yarn room. “Things have finally slowed down at the café, so I can take my break. Brother, were we slammed this morning.” Jennifer pulled out a chair beside Kelly and settled in, knitting bag on her lap.
    “Hey, you finished your sweater,” Megan said. “Looks great.”
    Admiring the lime green sweater Jennifer was wearing, Kelly added, “I can’t believe you’re finished. You were still knitting on it day before yesterday.”
    Jennifer removed a pale pink yarn and knitting needles from her bag. “Well, Pete’s catering job last night didn’t take us as long as he thought. I was back home by nine, so I was able to finish off the sweater.”
    “That shade looks great with your hair,” Kelly added, glancing at Jennifer’s auburn shoulder-length hair brushing her shoulders.
    Jennifer started casting pink stitches onto her needles. “Thanks. I was tired of shamrock, and the lime green just called my name.”
    “Gotta get back to work, guys. Don’t forget pizza at our place tonight,” Megan said, gathering the half-finished sweater into her knitting bag. “Marty said he’ll pick up one of those wicked French tortes on the way home.”
    “Those chocolate ones? I’m in,” Jennifer said.
    Kelly playfully complained. “Ever since we’ve been getting together at night, I’ve had to watch my weight. My workouts are taking longer and longer every morning.”
    “Don’t even mention weight,” Jennifer said with a sigh. “We’d better give the desserts to High-Speed Metabolism Megan.”
    “Any extra desserts, we’ll bring over to your place tomorrow night, Kelly,” Megan said as she skirted the table. “Are you doing Thai or Mexican tomorrow? I forgot.”
    “I’ll check with Steve. He keeps track.”
    “Either one is fine by me. I’m omnivorous, unfortunately.” Jennifer’s knitting needles moved faster.
    Megan gave a goodbye wave as she headed out. “See you tonight, guys.”
    Kelly and