For Better or Worsted by Betty Hechtman Read Free Book Online

soft to lie on.” Lyla’s eyes got big as she listened to CeeCee, and she asked if it was hard to learn.
    “I love animals, and I’d like to make something for them,” the girl said.
    Emerson was watching her daughter and then turned to me. “Do you have a kids’ crochet group?” When I told her we didn’t, she waved to her daughter and said it was time to go.
    As they started to walk away, a bunch of things came together in my mind. Mrs. Shedd was continually telling us the bookstore was on shaky ground, and we needed more revenue streams. Then I remembered hearing about Lyla’s upcoming birthday and the fact that she wasn’t happy with the idea of a pizza party at a place with a bunch of games. A party needed an activity. Lyla wanted to learn how to crochet. Maybe her friends did, too. And suddenly an idea was born.
    I rushed after them. “We don’t have a kids’ group, but we do crochet parties.”

CHAPTER 5
    “ A CROCHET BIRTHDAY PARTY. I LIKE IT,” DINAH SAID. After work, I’d stopped at my friend’s house. She lived down the street from the bookstore, so it wasn’t even out of my way. She’d hated to miss the Hookers get-together and was anxious to hear all the news. Particularly about Adele. Dinah still couldn’t wrap her mind around Adele wearing plain clothes and not having a hissy fit when someone next to her was knitting.
    “I wasn’t sure how Mrs. Shedd would react to the idea, particularly since I’d gone ahead and offered it to Emerson and her daughter without asking my boss. But not only did Mrs. Shedd like it, she thinks we should make a business out of it. I suggested calling them Parties with a Purpose.”
    “Great idea,” Dinah said. “You could do more than just birthday parties.”
    “Adele is going to be helping me.” Dinah started to roll her eyes, but I explained we’d sort of worked it out. I would do all the planning and handle the party; Adele would be in charge of teaching the kids how to crochet. “There is one small issue, though,” I said. “We need the first party to be flawless, or it might just end up being the only Party with a Purpose.”
    Dinah squeezed my shoulder. “I’m sure all the Hookers will want to help. I know I certainly will. Now, what’s going on with the wedding murder?”
    In the excitement over the party idea, I had put the whole wedding episode out of my mind.
    “You remember how Barry used to always tell me to stay out of investigations when we were a couple?” Dinah nodded, and I continued. “Well, this time I couldn’t even if I wanted to. Did I tell you that Barry is working this case?”
    “Several times,” Dinah said.
    “And did I tell you that he doesn’t seem to be keeping me out of the loop like he used to? I suppose it’s a benefit of not being his girlfriend anymore and the fact that Thursday is staying at my house.”
    Dinah responded with a little laugh. “Maybe, or maybe he likes having a reason to talk to you.”
    As I got up to go, Dinah followed me to the door. “If you start investigating on your own, I’d love to be your Watson.”
    “I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I said before I left.
    By now, I probably should have been used to not knowing what I was going to find when I came home, but I was still surprised by the scene when I walked into my living room. Thursday was sitting on the couch, and Barry was in a chair with his notebook out. Clearly it was an official visit. His tie was pulled tight, and instead of his Tahoe being parked in the driveway, his Crown Vic was in front of the house. I had noticed some other cars, too.
    Mason was standing up, hovering between them, and Jaimee was pacing in front of my fireplace, muttering to herself. Then I noticed another man I didn’t recognize standing near Thursday. Who was he?
    It all came to a stop when I walked in. That is, except for the banging coming from the door in the den that led to my bedroom area.
    “I tried to stop them,” Barry said,