Summer on Blossom Street. Debbie Macomber

abruptly. “It doesn’t matter what I thought. I’m so very sorry.”

      “I need to get over him,” she said and swallowed hard. Tears clogged her throat and she struggled to hide the fact that she was close to weeping.

      Thankfully no one asked for the details of Clark’s supposed demise.

      “I’m sorry,” Alix said. Leaning across the table, she gently squeezed her hand. “I can’t begin to imagine what it would be like if I lost Jordan.”

      Phoebe avoided their eyes. It was bad enough that she’d lied, but now she’d be obliged to continue with the charade. Everyone’s sympathy only added to her guilt. Although Hutch hadn’t spoken, his gaze was caring, concerned.

      Blindly Phoebe unwrapped her knitting needles, indicating she was ready for class to begin.

      Responding to her cue, Lydia held out the scarf pattern. “I chose this Bev Galeskas pattern because I feel everyone can knit this, no matter what level they are. It starts with the basic stitch.” She reached into a bag behind her and brought out a scarf in soft gray wool. “I knit this up so everyone could see the finished project.”

      “I could knit that?” Hutch asked, sounding shocked.

      “We all will.”

      “You’re sure I can do that?”

      Alix laughed. “I felt the same way in my first class when Lydia showed me the baby blanket. I guarantee you’ll be impressed with yourself.”

      “It’ll impress my sister, anyway.” He smiled at Lydia. “If mine turns out even half as good as yours, I thought I’d give it to her for her birthday.”

      His sister? If he’d mentioned his sister rather than his wife, that probably meant he wasn’t married. Phoebe wasn’t in any mood to get romantically involved, but she felt increasingly curious about Hutch. His personality seemed the opposite of Clark’s. He didn’t need to be the center of attention and, instead, listened carefully to everyone else. As far as Phoebe was concerned, that was a rare quality. He might look ordinary but even on short acquaintance she could see that he was anything but.

      Before they cast on stitches, Lydia described the pattern and explained that reading it over first prevented mistakes later. She also offered to photocopy their patterns to use as “working copies.”

      “That way the copied sheet can be marked up and carried with the project. Then if it’s lost, the original is always available.”

      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.”