Summer on Blossom Street

After that, Lydia demonstrated how to cast on stitches. The skill came back to Phoebe faster than she’d thought it would.

Sitting beside Hutch, Lydia reviewed the technique with him repeatedly. He followed her instructions carefully and although he found it difficult to hold the needles and yarn and cast on at the same time, he never once lost patience. Phoebe couldn’t picture Clark not throwing the needles and yarn down in disgust.

Clark.

How easily he’d slipped into her mind, despite her resolve. Forcing herself to concentrate, she knit methodically to the end of the row. Then the next one…

About an hour into the class, the phone rang. Lydia excused herself and moved to the front counter.

From what Phoebe could hear, this call was of a personal nature.

“Water balloons in the house?” Lydia gasped at one point, covering her eyes with her free hand.

When she returned a few minutes later, she looked troubled.

Alix was the one who broached the subject. “Is everything all right with Cody and Brad?”

“I…I’m not sure. We have a houseguest, and it appears that she’s managed to ruffle a few feathers.”

“How long is your guest staying?” Hutch asked.

“A week.” She frowned but didn’t volunteer any further information.

It was still light out when the class was officially over. As Phoebe gathered up her knitting bag and her purse, the shop door opened and a clean-cut young man walked in.

“Jordan,” Alix said, her voice elevated. “Hi!”

The man went over to Alix and slid his arm around her waist. “I thought I’d stop by and pick you up.”

Alix smiled at Hutch and Phoebe. “This is my husband, Jordan Turner.”

Jordan exchanged handshakes with both of them. “Pleased to meet you.”