Stitches in Time (3 page)

P
etra and I were having coffee the following morning when Haley wandered into the kitchen. It was only nine, so I was surprised to see that she was already showered and dressed.

“You're up early,” I said. “Eager to get to Ormond Beach?”

“I was out running at six,” was all she said as she headed to the fridge for juice.

Sometimes I found it hard to believe that she was no longer the toddler who had been so attached to me, sharing all her thoughts, and looking to me for guidance and advice. My daughter had grown into a very attractive young woman who at fourteen was already showing signs of the independent adult she would become. The pink streaks in her hair were proof of that.

“Are we still leaving at ten?” she asked.

“Yes. It's a ninety-minute drive, and I told Chloe we'd be there in time for lunch.”

Haley finished the juice and reached for a peach from the fruit bowl on the counter.

“Okay, well, I'm going across the street to say good-bye to Liz. Did you mean it when you said she can come visit us in Ormond Beach?”

“Yes, of course,” I assured her. “Petra has promised to come and visit when we get our own place and maybe she'll bring Liz with her.”

“Okay. I'll be back in a little while.”

I saw the smile on Petra's face.

“What?” I questioned.

“I just can't get over how fast she's growing. It seems like yesterday I was visiting you in the hospital after she was born.”

“Yup. I was just thinking how close we were when she was younger. But everything changed a couple years ago when her grandfather died and her father left.”

“It's been a tough time for her, but she's a good kid, Isabelle. I think moving to Ormond Beach will be good for both of you. She likes Chloe a lot and she loved visiting there last summer. Most teenage girls go through trying to separate from their moms. It's almost a rite of passage, to prove we're our own person and not an extension of our mothers.”

“Hmm, well, I didn't have the opportunity to do that, so I'm not familiar with this particular phase.” I heard the sarcasm that tinged my words. “My mother did that for me. She was the one who chose to separate from me.”

“Any word from Roger?” Petra asked, clearly wanting to change the subject.

“He called last week. Wanted to wish us well on the move and to be sure I was okay financially.”

“Be grateful for that. At least you won't be struggling to pay for a new house. Roger always did look out for you and Haley.”

She was right, but being rejected for somebody else had a way of creating bitterness that wasn't always buffered by money.

Shortly after ten, the three of us stood in Petra's driveway exchanging hugs and weepy good-byes. I loved spending time with her and was glad we'd now be living much closer.

I backed out of the driveway, and looked back to see Petra waving and then lifting her hand to her ear, reminding me to call when I arrived at Chloe's house. I nodded, gave a final wave, and headed toward I-95 south.

We had been driving about thirty minutes in silence. Haley had earbuds in her ears as she listened to music on her phone and stared out the window.

I reached over to pat her knee. “Excited?” I asked in a voice louder than normal, hoping she heard me.

To my surprise, Haley removed the earbuds and nodded. “Yeah, I am. I think it will be good for us. I love Chloe and I can't wait to see Basil.”

Haley had formed a close attachment to my father's mixed terrier, Basil. When my dad died, there was the question of what to do with the dog. Haley had begged for us to take him, but I wasn't crazy about that idea. The added responsibility of a dog was just too much for me at that time. When I suggested maybe he should go to the pound, Chloe, my father's girlfriend, refused to allow that and she took Basil home with her. I had to admit when I saw them together last summer I knew that was the right decision.

“Would you like a dog?” I blurted. I had no idea where that thought had come from.

Haley swiveled in her seat to face me. “Seriously?”

I focused on the highway in front of me. “Well . . . yeah . . . maybe. So you'd like that?”

“Oh, Mom, I've always wanted a dog. Always. I would love to have my own dog. And I'm not a kid anymore. I'd be the one to feed it and walk it and take care of it.”

She might not be a kid, but the exuberance I heard in her voice reminded me of the twelve-year-old who had disappeared.

“I think you're right. You're at an age where you're responsible and could care for a dog. You were excellent with Basil last summer.”

“So I can? I can get a dog?”

I nodded. “Here's the deal. When we get our own house and we're settled in, yes, you can have your own dog.”

Haley leaned over as much as the seat belt would allow and gave me a hug. “I love you, Mom! I love you so much. And thank you.”

I wasn't quite sure what caused me to agree to this, but I did know that hearing the joy in Haley's voice telling me she loved me made me positive I'd done the right thing.

* * *

We pulled up in the driveway of Koi House shortly after our expected arrival time. I thought back to last summer when Haley and I had driven down from Atlanta. My daughter had been overweight, miserable, and a victim of bullying at school. I glanced at her and smiled. Maybe this move truly would be good. For both of us.

The front door flew open and I saw Chloe on the porch with Basil close at her heels. Haley jumped out while I flipped the lid on the trunk.

“Hey, welcome,” Chloe called.

I raised a hand in greeting. “Thanks. I'm just going to get a couple bags. I'll be right there. Haley, come help.”

I removed a piece of luggage and a tote bag filled with knitting from the trunk and glanced at the house. It was a beautiful old-fashioned Victorian complete with a turret jutting out from the second story. I knew Koi House had become Chloe's oasis when she relocated here from Cedar Key the year before. Mavis Anne Overby was the official owner but now resided next door with her brother and his partner. Chloe had been fortunate to meet this woman and her niece when she'd visited Yarrow's original tea shop. An instant connection had formed among the three of them, and they now shared both a friendship and a business relationship.

“I'll take these,” Haley said, reaching into the trunk and removing more luggage.

I walked onto the porch and into Chloe's embrace.

“I'm so glad you're here,” she said. “All of us have missed you. Come on in and get settled.”

I followed her into the foyer. She pointed to the staircase.

“I hope you don't mind, Isabelle, but I've taken the larger 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.”

“That'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.

“Need any help?” I asked.

“No, 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.”

“I 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.”

“Gosh, 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?”

“After lunch,” I told her.

“Yes,” Chloe said. “Let's eat and then we'll go. Have a seat. Water, iced tea, wine?”

“Water, please,” Haley said.

“I'll have a glass of wine,” I told her with no hesitation as I walked to the beautiful blue-and-yellow breakfast nook area.

“This is such a pretty spot,” I said, sitting down at the lemon yellow wooden table.

“It 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, and now Chloe.

“This is delicious,” Haley said as she nibbled on the salad.

I was happy to see her eating, but her quiche remained untouched.

“We have so much catching up to do,” Chloe said.

I took a sip of wine and nodded. “I know. I'm dying to hear all about your wedding plans. How
is
Henry?”

Chloe smiled and I saw the look of pure love on her face. “Oh, he's great. He'll be over later. And yes, I'll fill you in on all the wedding plans, but it's just going to be a small gathering out there by the fishpond with my sister and her husband and some friends.”

“I'm so glad we'll be here for your wedding,” Haley said.

“I am too.” Chloe shot her a smile. “So . . . what's going on in your lives?”

“My nana is retiring to Florida,” Haley informed her.

I looked up to see the look of total surprise that crossed Chloe's face.

“Oh. Really? Well . . . that sounds . . . interesting?”

I laughed. “Hmm, yeah.
Interesting
is a good word for it. I'll fill you in later tonight when we have our evening gabfest.”

I took a gulp of wine and realized that my mother's moving to Florida might have more implications than I could begin to think about.

F
ollowing lunch Chloe, Haley, and I walked out to the patio area. I took in a deep breath. It was a beautiful, warm afternoon and I could smell salt air from the Atlantic. I looked over to the stone wall and archway where I knew the fishpond was located; then my gaze fell on the beautiful honey stone building that reminded me of a thatched cottage in England, complete with oval-shaped wooden door. Dreamweavers. The name was Chloe's inspiration. A wooden sign dangled from a post with the etched words “Dreamweaver Yarn Shop & Nirvana Tea and Coffee.” Yarrow had also chosen the perfect name for her business.

“I'm dying to see the yarn shop,” Haley said, walking in that direction.

We followed her to the wooden door and stepped inside. It had been an empty shell when I'd seen it last summer, but now it had been transformed into an enticing yarn shop. My gaze took in the cubbyholes filling the wall to my left, each one displaying various colors and fibers. Tables held baskets of yarn, and knitted items had been placed to catch the eye of a knitter. Mavis Anne Overby looked up from the cherrywood desk at the front of the shop when we walked in.

Clapping her hands together, she reached for her cane and walked toward us, a huge smile covering her face. “Welcome, welcome,” she exclaimed, as she hugged Haley and then me. “I'm so glad you're here. Did you have a good drive? How about lunch? Have you eaten?”

I laughed and nodded. Mavis Anne had one of those big personalities that made you feel good just being in her presence. “The drive was good and yes, Chloe had lunch ready when we arrived.”

“Hey, you're here,” I heard Yarrow call from the back, where her tea shop was located. She joined us and more hugs were exchanged.

I waved my hand around the shop. “This is just gorgeous. I can't believe what you've done with it.” I now saw the large rectangular wooden table to my right and knew that it was used for the instruction sessions and knit-alongs the shop had. And behind the display tables were a couple of cushy sofas and chairs, which I knew visitors and regulars to the shop couldn't resist using to chill out and socialize while they knitted.

Haley was already fingering various yarns on display. “Oh, I know. This place looks so great. How lucky am I to stay right next door to a yarn shop,” she said, and all of us laughed.

“Thank you,” Mavis Anne said. “I think I can speak for the three of us when I say it's been a labor of love. And so far, it's proving to be very successful.”

All of us looked down at Basil, who had begun whining and dancing in circles as he repeatedly ran to the French doors at the side of the shop.

“What's up with him?” Haley asked.

Yarrow laughed. “I think he might want to introduce you to his buddy. Come on outside.”

We followed her out to the patio area. A canopy of trees provided shade over the cushy chairs arranged around a fire pit. Curled up in one of the chairs was a gorgeous black-and-white cat snoozing.

Haley walked directly toward the chair. “Oh, wow. Who's this?”

Yarrow smiled. “This is Merino, my cat, but he also claims the title of the shop mascot. Actually, it was Basil who found him last fall cowering in the bushes. Just a tiny kitten and I couldn't resist him. So I took him to the vet, got his shots, and decided that for the first time in my life I'd become a pet owner.”

I laughed and watched as Haley gushed over him. Merino opened one eye, then the other, gave a huge yawn, stood up, stretched and then proceeded to lie back down to resume his nap.

“Does he stay here all the time?” Haley questioned.

“No. I take him home with me each evening and bring him back in the morning. He sometimes wanders into the yarn shop but so far he hasn't touched any of the yarn. For the most part, he prefers to be out here. Who'd like some coffee or tea?”

We followed Yarrow back inside and while she headed to the back to prepare the drinks, I settled on a sofa with Chloe.

“So are you doing classes and knit-alongs?” I asked.

Mavis Anne nodded. “Yes, we have my friend Louise teaching a class on entrelac once a week and our current knit-along is a sampler afghan. A few more weeks and that will be finished. Are you keeping up with your knitting?”

I nodded. “Yes, actually, Petra took us to a yarn shop in Jacksonville yesterday and I got some Bamboo Pop to make myself a top.”

“Oh, I love that yarn,” Chloe said and pointed to a gorgeous mint green pullover displayed on a manikin. “I made that last month for our display.”

“I'm so glad you decided to relocate here,” Mavis Anne said. “And it means so much to me that you're willing to look after me when David and Clive leave for Italy.”

“It's my pleasure. And I'm very grateful you've invited Haley and me to stay here.”

I couldn't help but wonder again why it was necessary for Mavis Anne to have a caregiver while her brother and his partner were away. Especially with Chloe right next door. But I did know that many nights Chloe and Basil stayed over at Henry's condo on the beach. I also knew that Mavis Anne Overby could be a prima donna. She adored being waited on and spoiled.

I smiled as I heard her say, “Oh, honey, it's Koi House and I that are grateful. The house was ever so happy when Chloe moved in, but now with you and Haley here . . . well . . . my goodness, I have no doubt Koi House is filled with joy.”

I caught the wink and smile Chloe sent my way and recalled what she'd shared with me the year before. Koi House had been the childhood home of Mavis Anne, David, and their deceased sister, Emmalyn. According to Chloe, Mavis Anne fully believed that her sister's spirit still lingered and also that the house had a soul that was happiest when people resided within its walls. She claimed it had energy and enveloped those who lived there with love. I wasn't sure if Chloe actually believed all of this, but she did indulge Mavis Anne in her beliefs.

“Here we go,” Yarrow said, placing a tray with mugs of tea on the table in front of us.

“Thanks,” I said and took a sip of the lemon ginger tea. “Hmm, very good.” I wasn't much of a tea drinker but had to admit that Yarrow's brews were exceptional. “So when do you want me to begin working?”

“Well, I thought you should take the next few days to just settle in. So I told all of our new customers you'd begin next Monday, the first. Would that be okay?”

I nodded. “Yes, fine. That'll give us time for you to go over the routes with me too.”

“Right. But I don't think you'll have much of a problem. Everyone is located right here in Ormond Beach, so it's pretty easy to get around.”

A few of the regulars dropped into the shop throughout the afternoon, and a fair number of customers came in to make purchases. I was surprised when I heard Chloe say, “I'll go put the closed sign on the gate.” I looked at the clock on the wall and saw it was just after five. The afternoon had flown by as I sat there knitting and conversing, and I was happy to discover that I now had about eight inches done on my top. I was reminded of my days in Atlanta when sometimes an hour felt like a week. Maybe moving here would prove to be a good thing for me.

* * *

The three of us walked into the kitchen of Koi House to find Henry preparing dinner.

“Hey,” he said, coming to give me a hug. “Welcome to Ormond Beach. And you too, Haley.”

I saw my daughter's smile as he also pulled her into an embrace. “Obviously, I'm Henry,” he said.

Chloe had only started dating him the previous September, so this was our first time meeting him. She had rented his condo on the beach for a month when she first came here from Cedar Key. And when they actually met in person it appeared to be a case of love at first sight; now their wedding was just a few months away.

I saw him pull Chloe into his arms and without a trace of shyness he kissed her lips. “Have a good day, sweetie?” he asked.

“I did,” she told him. “And thank you so much for coming over to get dinner started.”

“My pleasure,” he told her, and held up a bottle of red wine. “Shall we toast Isabelle and Haley's arrival?”

“That would be nice,” Chloe said, reaching for wineglasses in the cabinet.

“Oh, who's this?” I heard Haley say. I turned around to see a large golden retriever wander into the kitchen, followed by Basil.

Henry laughed. “Oh, this is my dog, Delilah. Delilah, meet Haley and Isabelle.”

“She's just gorgeous,” Haley said, kneeling down to let the dog sniff her hand and then accepting her paw. “What a beautiful girl.”

“Thank you. She and Basil are best of friends, which makes it nice.”

I smiled as Chloe passed me a wineglass. I could already see that my daughter was in her glory with the yarn shop, Chloe, and two dogs to fawn over. I also had a feeling she had taken an instant liking to Henry, and this made me feel coming here was the right thing to do.

Henry held up his glass. “Here's to Isabelle and Haley. Welcome to your new home. May you have much happiness here.”

“Thank you,” I said, before I took a sip and realized this was the first time in a long while that I hadn't already had two or three glasses of wine before five o'clock.

Following a delicious dinner of shrimp stir-fry and rice, Haley and I pitched in with the cleanup.

“Well,” Henry said, “I'm going to take the dogs for a walk on the beach. This will give you gals some more time to catch up. Haley, would you like to join me?”

“Oh, yes,” she said, jumping up.

Chloe and I took our herbal tea out to the patio with our knitting.

“I like Henry,” I told her. “A lot.” And I did. He'd kept us laughing throughout dinner with humorous stories of some of his travels as a photographer for
National Geographic
. He was a kind and friendly man, not to mention very good looking and completely besotted with Chloe.

She nodded. “Yeah, he
is
pretty special. I guess I knew it the moment I met him.”

“You were fortunate,” I told her. “Many women go through life never having that kind of love.”

“That's true, but, Isabelle, don't ever give up on love. If somebody had told me a year ago when I lost your dad that not only would I meet somebody like Henry Wagner, but that I'd fall utterly in love with him and he would return that love, and that we'd be getting married on May first, I would have said that's nuts. But believe me, sometimes love happens when we least expect it.”

I very much doubted this, but allowed Chloe her fantasies. “Hmm,” was all I said.

She took a sip of her tea. “So tell me, what's this about your mother retiring to Florida? I didn't realize you had a relationship with her.”

“I don't. Not really. But I allowed Haley to begin seeing her now and then, and the next thing I know . . . she's moving to Florida. I'd prefer it to be any other state, but obviously I have no control over where she chooses to retire.”

“Yes, that's true. Well, maybe it's just conversation at this point.”

I shook my head. “Ah, no, I don't think so. She informed me that she's booked a flight for March twenty-eight, booked a hotel here in Ormond Beach, and is coming to the area to check things out.”

“Oh. Yeah, that sounds like she's made a decision to consider this area. Will that be awkward for you?”

“Me?” I let out a deep sigh. “I don't know. I have no idea what will happen. She claims she wants to get to know Haley better.”

Chloe smiled. “I can certainly understand that. In five months I'm becoming a grandmother for the first time and you have no idea how excited I am. Thank God Eli and Treva live in Jacksonville now and not Boston. I can't even imagine being separated from my grandchild.”

Maybe Chloe was right. Maybe this wasn't about me at all. Maybe my mother really only wanted a relationship with her granddaughter—not her daughter.

“Will it be awkward for you if you meet her?” I asked.

“Me? Why would I feel awkward?”

“Well, because you dated my father, and, well . . .”

Chloe shook her head. “Oh, gosh, no. It'll be fine. Actually, I hope I do have the chance to meet her while she's here.”

Well, at least somebody besides her granddaughter was anticipating the arrival of Iris Brunell at Ormond Beach.