Wicked Stitch by Amanda Lee Read Free Book Online Page B

during those long hours working near each other at the festival.”
    Captain Moe patted my hand. I wanted to bury my face in his barrel chest and cry, but I didn’t. I held it together . . . at least until I got back to the Stitch.
    *   *   *
    I was in the sit-and-stitch square working on my blackwork border when Todd came into the shop. Sadie and Blake had hoped Todd and I would be a love match when I’d first moved to Tallulah Falls. That hadn’t worked out, but we’d become fast friends. And, like just about everybody else in town, he loved Angus.
    He sat down on the sofa beside me and gave me a one-armed, brotherly hug. “How’re you holding up?”
    “I had a little cry when I got back here, but I’m all right now.”
    “Don’t let those old crones get to you,” he said.
    I arched my brow.
    “I know, I know. That’s easier said than done.” He grinned. “I don’t have a problem with them. They think I’m adorable.”
    “You
are
adorable.” And he was. He had curly brown hair, chocolate eyes, and a smile that could melt even the icy hearts of Nellie and Clara.
    “You’re pretty cute, too. I mean, you’re no Todd Calloway, but—”
    I playfully slapped his arm.
    He laughed. “I’ll keep you in apricot ale during the Ren Faire. Maybe that’ll help you tolerate your neighbors.”
    “I just don’t get it, Todd. What did I ever do to those women?”
    “Who knows? You moved in, your shop is successful, you’re young, you’re beautiful, you have the love of a good man, and you have your whole life ahead of you.” He shrugged. “There’s plenty of reasons for two dried-up old prunes to hate you.”
    “Thank you so much.” I giggled. “You say the sweetest things.”
    “I do, don’t I? That’s another reason the old broads like me,” he said. “Pay attention. I’ll let you use some of my lines.”
    “Gee, thanks.”
    I noticed something out of the corner of my eye and turned to look out the window. “Oh, no,” I said.
    Todd turned, too. “What is it?”
    “It’s Clover, Clara’s rabbit. It got out the otherday, and I brought it inside. I didn’t know it was hers.”
    “Bet that went over well,” he said.
    “Oh, you wouldn’t
believe
.” I sighed. “And now what? If I don’t go out there and get the little thing, it could hop out into the road and get hit by a car.”
    “And if you
do
go out there and get it, you’ll be accused of bunny-napping.”
    We watched as Clover came over to our window and stood up against the glass. Angus hurried over, bent down with his wagging tail stuck up in the air, and “woofed” at his friend.
    “To heck with it,” I said. “I’m going to get Clover.” I got up off the sofa and went to open the front door. “Come on, Clover.”
    The bunny raced into the shop and happily reunited with Angus.
    “Todd, do you mind holding down the fort while I go next door and tell Clara that Clover is here?” I asked.
    “I can go,” he said.
    “No, that would make it seem like I’d stolen the bunny and you were coming to its rescue.”
    “I’ll tell her you sent me.”
    “Thanks,” I said. “But I’ll do it myself. I’d simply take the rabbit back, but they enjoy playing together so much. . . .”
    Todd grinned at Angus and Clover chasing each other back and forth around the sit-and-stitch square. “It’s funny that a dog that big would have so much fun with such a little creature.”
    “True. Ted asked if we should get Angus his own pet.” I laughed. “I don’t think I’m
that
far gone yet.”
    “It might not be a bad idea,” Todd said. “They are having a blast. Walk and talk slowly when you go next door.”
    “If I’m not back in ten minutes, send in a few Navy SEALs, please.”
    I took Todd’s advice and walked slowly toward Knitted and Needled. The door was open slightly, so I saw how Clover had gotten out. I examined the doorframe and saw that the latch wasn’t working properly.
    “Hey! What’re you doing