A Killer Stitch by Maggie Sefton Read Free Book Online Page B

knitting table. “Nope. Afraid not.”
    Megan scurried around the table, sapphire blue knit scarf wrapped tightly around her neck as if she’d rushed in from the winter cold that very minute. She anxiously checked under chairs and behind yarn bins. “Darn, I’m running late already. Now, where is it?” she fussed, dropping to the floor to peer under the table. “Ah-ha! There it is,” she crowed triumphantly as she reached beneath a chair and retrieved the missing bag.
    â€œWhat’s the big hurry?” Kelly asked, observing that Megan looked uncharacteristically scattered. “Have you got an important appointment or something?”
    Megan rounded the table quickly, clearly ready to race from the shop. Pausing beside Kelly’s chair, she hesitated before answering. “I’m trying to get all my work done by the afternoon, so I can go with Lisa and Greg to the movies tonight.”
    â€œThat sounds like fun,” Kelly said, noticing that Megan hadn’t made eye contact with her yet. Something was up. Megan was unusually flustered. Going to the movies with Lisa and Greg wouldn’t elicit this reaction. Unless…
    Instantly, Kelly knew what was bothering Megan. Lisa and Greg were fixing her up with a guy. It had to be.
    â€œYeah, we’re going for pizza in Old Town first.” Megan stared at her car keys as she turned them over in her hand. “And…and they’re bringing some guy they want me to meet. He’s a colleague of Greg’s at the university. I think he cycles with him, too.”
    Kelly shined her most encouraging smile, hoping to penetrate the barrier that Megan was hiding behind. “That’s great, Megan! I’m sure you’ll have a lot of fun. Sounds like the guy is athletic, like you. I bet you two will hit it off. I’m sure that’s why Steve and I get along so well. We’re both jocks.”
    Megan exhaled a big sigh and finally met Kelly’s gaze, her fair skin making her blue eyes look huge. “I don’t ‘hit it off ’ with guys, Kelly. You know that. That’s why I hate blind dates. Whenever I meet a guy on a date, I freeze up. I stammer like I can’t talk, and I turn red as a beet.” She shrugged. “I’m only going tonight because Lisa begged me.”
    Kelly searched for something encouraging to say, something that would help Megan conquer her shyness. She could see Megan retreating into her shell already. “Megan, you only freeze up when you know it’s a date or the guy is coming on to you; I’ve watched it. But you have no problem at all talking with guys who are friends. Steve, Greg, all the guys on the team. Your tennis buddies. Why don’t you tell yourself this guy is not a date. He’s only a friend, only a friend. See if that helps.”
    Finally a smile peeked out as Megan repeated the mantra. “He’s only a friend. He’s only a friend. He’s not a date. Not a date.” Her smile spread, much to Kelly’s relief. Smiles were a start. “Self-hypnosis, huh? Okay, I’ll give it a try. Wish me luck,” she said as she walked away. “Oh, and tell Steve that Sam and I will practice doubles with you two tomorrow night. You’ve got your first match the following night.”
    â€œDon’t remind me. We’re still barely competent,” Kelly called over her shoulder.
    â€œKelly, you mustn’t be so hard on yourself. You’re doing very well indeed,” a deep, throaty woman’s voice sounded behind her.
    â€œYes, dear. Your sweater-in-the-round turned out quite nicely,” a birdlike chirp floated past.
    Kelly recognized the voices before the two elderly women approached the table. Hilda and Lizzie von Steuben. Spinster sisters, retired schoolteachers, and knitters of the highest level. Others knitted yarns. Hilda and Lizzie could knit cobwebs.
    â€œHello, ladies, how’re you