Secrets on Cedar Key Read Free

“She’s always been easy to get along with. I’m fortunate.”
    Chloe laughed. “You’ve got that right. Many adult daughters would cringe at the thought of moving back with their mothers. I’m sure I couldn’t have done it.”
    I fingered the new sock yarn that had been made in Germany before I arranged each skein in a wooden cubbyhole. With the vibrant pinks, greens, blues, and lavenders, I knew we wouldn’t be keeping this yarn in the shop for long.
    As I continued unpacking yarn, rearranging various skeins, and making a sign to place on the front table for yarn that would be discounted, I allowed my mind to wander and couldn’t help but wonder what the rest of my life had in store for me. Was this all there was? Married at age thirty, the mother of two grown sons, a retired professor of English . . . and now a widow at fifty-six, living with her mother and soon to run a needlepoint shop. I let out a sigh. It could be worse. Certainly, it could be much worse.

2
    C hloe was still at lunch when he walked into the yarn shop. When I first looked toward the door and saw the good-looking older man enter, I assumed he was here on a knitting errand for his wife or to purchase a gift certificate.
    â€œMay I help you?” I asked, walking toward the front of the shop.
    â€œYes, I’m looking for Eudora Foster.”
    It was then that it hit me that he was Worthington Slater, and in a heartbeat I realized Chloe hadn’t been exaggerating when she said he was pretty darn good-looking . At least six feet tall, he wore a casual short-sleeved shirt tucked into khaki trousers. A deep bronze tan and silver hair complemented his good looks. He appeared more likely to be sitting behind the desk of a successful company than swinging a hammer as a workman.
    â€œYes,” I said, clearing my throat and extending my hand. “I’m Dora’s daughter. Marin Kane. Nice to meet you. She’s at home this afternoon but told me you’d be stopping by to take a look at the project.”
    I felt his hand grip mine as a friendly smile crossed his face.
    â€œNice to meet you.” His gaze moved to the hole in the wall. “I take it that’s the area to be remodeled?”
    I nodded. “Yeah, it looks more like a bomb zone at the moment,” I said, walking toward the wall. “It’s hard for me to visualize what my mother keeps saying will be so nice.”
    Worth laughed. “Oh, you don’t trust my abilities?”
    â€œOh, it’s not that,” I stammered. “I mean . . . it’s just a dark, dingy area right now. And so much needs to be done to transform it into a needlepoint shop.”
    He produced a flashlight from his pocket before stepping into the adjoining room.
    â€œHmm,” he said, shining the light toward the ceiling, walls, and floor. “Well, yes, it does need extensive work, but like Ned told me, it’s certainly doable.”
    â€œReally?” I could feel my excitement building. “You’re willing to do it for us?”
    Worth nodded, and I followed him back into the yarn shop.
    â€œI am,” he said. “I’ll get with your mother to confirm, but when do you think she’d like me to start?”
    â€œYesterday?”
    He laughed again. “In a bit of a rush, are you?”
    â€œWell, a little. I was hoping to be able to have it open by Christmas.”
    â€œIt’s early October. That gives me about ten weeks. I don’t think that’ll be a problem.”
    In addition to his good looks, I liked this man’s enthusiasm.
    â€œOh, that would be great.”
    â€œOkay, then,” he said, heading toward the door. “Tell your mother I’ll give her a call at home this evening, but I should be ready to begin on Friday.”
    â€œThanks so much.”
    The moment Chloe returned from lunch, I shared the good news with her.
    â€œTerrific. Then everything is back on