Stitches in Time Read Online Free Page B

bedroom in back that used to be Mavis Anne’s. So I’ve put you in the front one, if that’s okay. Go on up and put your things away while I get our lunch together.”
    â€œThat’s fine,” I told her. “Not a problem.”
    As Haley and I climbed the stairs, I recalled our visit from the previous summer. Chloe had been very gracious when she’d invited Haley and me to spend two weeks with her. She was also going through the grieving process of losing my father and realizing that everything they had planned had ended when my father died. They had expected to purchase a home in Ormond Beach, where my dad would raise alpacas and both of them would run a yarn shop together downtown. But that wasn’t to be. Chloe’s life had taken another direction, which now included Henry Wagner, the man she’d be marrying in a few months.
    I looked around the room and smiled. Everything felt so welcoming. The beautiful furnishings and décor had an old-fashioned, cozy feel. I opened my luggage and began putting clothes away in the closet and bureau drawers. Buffered around the items in my leather tote were four bottles of wine. I had brought two to give to Chloe, but the other two I slipped into one of my drawers. I liked knowing they were there to enjoy at night before I went to sleep.
    I placed the empty luggage in the closet and looked around. This bedroom at the front was the one with the turret; it had belonged to Mavis Anne’s sister, Emmalyn, Yarrow’s mother. She had died at age twenty-eight in a tragic car crash that had been tinged with scandal, according to Chloe. It was eerie, but this room was definitely much cooler than the rest of the house. Chloe had hinted that Emmalyn’s ghost still lingered. I had no belief in such things, and smiled as I headed out to the hallway to check on Haley.
    â€œNeed any help?” I asked.
    â€œNo, thanks. I’m fine. I’ll see you downstairs.”
    I walked to the back of the house and found Chloe in the gorgeous designer kitchen putting the final touches on salad plates.
    She came over to give me a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here, Isabelle, and even happier that you’ll be staying in the area permanently.”
    â€œI am too and I know Haley is excited.”
    I saw a look of concern cross her face. “I can’t believe the weight she’s lost since last summer. She isn’t sick, is she?”
    I laughed. “No, not at all. Just very serious about her exercise and food plan.”
    â€œGosh, I’d hate to see her go the other way. She’s borderline skinny now. I hope she’s not overdoing it.”
    Despite my own concerns, I brushed her words aside. “No. Really. She’s fine,” I said. My gaze went to the French doors leading out to the patio and garden area. “Oh, Dreamweavers. I’m dying to see it. It wasn’t even open when I was here last. Is that where Mavis Anne and Yarrow are?”
    Haley walked into the kitchen followed by Basil. “Oh, the yarn shop. Can I go out there?”
    â€œAfter lunch,” I told her.
    â€œYes,” Chloe said. “Let’s eat and then we’ll go. Have a seat. Water, iced tea, wine?”
    â€œWater, please,” Haley said.
    â€œI’ll have a glass of wine,” I told her with no hesitation as I walked to the beautiful blue-and-yellow breakfast nook area.
    â€œThis is such a pretty spot,” I said, sitting down at the lemon yellow wooden table.
    â€œIt is,” Chloe agreed as she placed plates of quiche and salad in front of us. “Compliments of Marta, who said to say hello. She’ll see you tomorrow.”
    Marta was a Polish immigrant who had been the right hand of Mavis Anne for ten years and now continued to work for Chloe as housekeeper and cook. I knew they adored her and valued her exceptional work ethic, and there was no doubt that Marta was devoted to Mavis Anne, David,