Farewell to Cedar Key (9 page)

16

I
looked across the table at the four men diligently knitting away. I was surprised at how quickly the month had flown by. During that time they had learned all the basic knitting stitches and techniques and were coming to the end of working on their scarves.

We had also learned that Gabe Brunell would be on the island until late April. He hadn't decided yet if he'd be returning to Cedar Key the following winter, because he had one married daughter and a granddaughter living in the Atlanta area. It also seemed that nothing was stirring between him and Chloe.

“So,” I said, standing up and heading to the counter. “I'll get the coffee going. Dad, thanks for bringing the monkey bread tonight.”

I heard my father laugh. “Oh, I'm afraid I can't take credit for that. I coerced your mother into making it for us.”

I smiled as I spooned coffee into the filter and heard the guys discussing their fishing trip for the next day. Gabe had fit right into the group and had joined them each week for boating and fishing.

“Well, tonight marks the end of our four-week beginner class,” I said. “I'm not sure if you guys would like to continue with another class or if you've had enough of knitting.”

“Oh,” Gabe said. “I guess I just assumed we'd go on to the next level for another class.”

“Right,” Doyle agreed. “Now that I've mastered the basics, I'm not about to give up.”

“Same here,” my dad and Saxton said.

“Well, that's great,” I told them. “Okay. Then we have to decide what you'd like to learn to do. And we can set up some more classes.”

“How about a sweater?” Gabe offered.

“Yeah, maybe with some cables in it, so we can learn how to do those,” Doyle said.

“Sure.” I felt a smile cross my face. This class had definitely been a success. “Actually, a sweater is pretty much straight knitting and purling, except for the cables, and on a larger scale than your scarf. If you all agree, that's fine with me. I'll teach you how to do the neck and the sleeves and then put it all together.”

“Great,” my dad said. “Bring on the sweater.”

“Okay. While you have your coffee, I'll go into the shop and bring back some patterns for sweaters and you can decide which one you'd like to make.”

When I returned with five different patterns, the men were enjoying their coffee and snack while chatting away.

I placed the patterns on the table and went to fill my mug. “Here's a few to look at. Unfortunately, there just aren't as many patterns around for men's designs as there are for women.”

“Yeah,” Gabe said, picking up one to look at. “I've noticed that, and it's a shame.”

“Maybe we need somebody like you to start designing some,” my dad kidded him, but I noticed that Gabe didn't make any comment.

“So once you decide which one you'd like to make, come into the shop to purchase your yarn and needles and you'll be all set.” I reached for the calendar in my handbag. “Why don't we take next week off and start the new class the first Wednesday in November? Will that work for you?”

Without hesitation four heads nodded.

“And since we'll be working on a sweater, it will take longer. How about if the next class goes for seven weeks to begin with and we can extend it if we have to.”

“Sounds good,” they all agreed.

“So that'll take us till the week before Christmas, which will work well for me because I leave that following Monday for Boston. And as I said, if you feel we need more time, we can resume after the holidays.”

“Great,” Gabe said, and I saw him turn his head toward the door with a huge grin covering his face.

I looked over to see Chloe walk in. She hadn't been back since our first class.

“Hey,” she said. “I just wanted to congratulate you guys for finishing up the knitting class. Did you enjoy it?”

Gabe laughed as Chloe again took the seat beside him. “We enjoyed it so much, Josie has agreed to do another class for us. We'll be starting in a couple weeks and making a sweater.”

“That's great. Well done, Josie. You're an ace teacher.”

I smiled. “Oh, I don't know about that. I have some prize pupils here.”

After a few minutes the other three men drifted into generic conversation, but Gabe had his attention focused on Chloe. I picked up the vest that I was finishing for Orli, began knitting, and tried not to eavesdrop on what they were saying, but since I was just across the table, that was pretty much impossible.

“So how much longer until that cast comes off and you can resume knitting?” he asked.

“Actually, only one more week. I saw the doctor yesterday and he assures me that he can remove it next week. Believe me, I can't wait. It'll be nice to be a free woman again.”

Gabe laughed. “Yes, I'm sure. The cast is such an inconvenience, but I'm sure you were a great patient and allowed that arm to heal properly.”

“I was. The doctor said I can go back to knitting, but I'll be limited at first—only a couple hours each day—but he also said that knitting was great therapy. Many people with arthritis find that it eases their discomfort and keeps their fingers and hands limber.”

“Very true,” Gabe said. “Knitting can be good for
all
kinds of reasons.”

I glanced up and saw the smile he gave Chloe and wondered if that statement had a double meaning to it.

I looked over and saw Chloe's face had taken on a crimson hue.

“Oh . . . by the way, Josie . . . I wanted to tell you,” she stammered, and I realized that she was flustered by the flirty way Gabe was looking at her. “Just because the cast is coming off, you're not going to be out of a job next week. The doctor said that I can do light work at the yarn shop, but Dora and I agreed that if you can, we'd like you to stay on till the first week in December.”

“Terrific,” I told her, then smiled because I had an idea that Chloe wasn't thinking about my position at the yarn shop at all.

“So which day next week is it coming off?” I heard Gabe ask her as I looked back down at my knitting.

“Ah . . . Tuesday. I have an appointment with the doctor in Gainesville next Tuesday.”

“Great. How about if I drive you to the doctor and then take you out for lunch or dinner after, so we can celebrate. You know . . . the removal of the cast and . . . being a free woman again.”

I kept knitting away, but from the corner of my eye I saw a huge smile cross Chloe's face and heard her say, “Oh. Oh, well, yeah. That sounds like fun. Thank you.”

“What time is your appointment?”

“Eleven.”

“Okay, why don't I pick you up about nine-thirty, we'll go to your appointment, and then we'll have lunch in Gainesville.”

“That's great. I live just up the street, upstairs from the chocolate shop. I can meet you outside at nine-thirty.”

“Sounds like a plan to me,” he said. I could have been wrong, but I thought I saw an expression of complete happiness cross his face.

So,
I thought,
we just might have a little romance brewing here, after all.

“Well, this was a great evening, Josie,” my father said as he stood up and brought his cup and plate to the sink.

“It certainly was,” Saxton agreed as he did the same.

“Yeah, I'm looking forward to the new class starting in two weeks.” Doyle put his cup and plate on the counter. “Thanks for your great instructions, and I'll drop by the shop to get my yarn and needles for the sweater.”

I stood up and began filling the sink with water and detergent to wash up the few items. As the three men left, I turned around and saw that Gabe and Chloe were still quietly chatting.

“Well,” I heard him say, “I need to get home and let my dog out. Thanks for a great evening, Josie,” he said, but I noticed that his eyes were on Chloe. “And if I don't see you before, I'll see you next Tuesday,” he told her.

“Take care,” I hollered as he left the shop.

Chloe joined me and picked up a dish towel to begin drying mugs.

“So,” I said. “Looks like you snagged yourself a bona fide date.”

She laughed. “Oh, I think he felt sorry for me and he was just trying to be nice.”

“Why would he feel sorry for you?”

“Well . . . you know . . . because I broke my arm and I haven't been able to knit.”

“I seriously doubt that. That man is smitten.”

Now Chloe let out a belly laugh. “He's what?”

I joined her laugher. “
Smitten.
You know . . . besotted. Infatuated.”

She whipped my arm with the dish towel. “Don't be silly.”

“Yeah, well, you didn't see the way he looks at you when you're looking the other way.”

“Oh, Josie, you're too funny. Guys in
my
age group are not smitten.”

I finished washing the final plate, dried my hands, and put them on my hips. “Really? And you would know this how? And besides, your age group is the fifties and sixties—far from ancient in today's world.”

I saw a serious expression cross her face. “Hmm. You mean you think he could be . . . interested in me?”

I smiled. “Gee, Chloe, yes. I think that could be a distinct possibility.”

“Oh, I don't know. I thought he was just being nice. Although . . . I do have to say, he's pretty damn attractive.”

“I gathered you thought that from the first day you met him in the yarn shop.”

“No . . . was I that obvious?”

I laughed. “Hey, I thought it was cute.”

“Cute? We're not teenagers.”

“True, but there's no expiration date on being attracted to somebody. Having a relationship. Enjoying each other's company.”

“I know that. I mean, I did date Cameron after Parker and I got divorced, but . . . we just didn't seem to . . . click. You know?”

I nodded. “Oh, yeah, I certainly do.”

“Ah, Ben?” she asked.

“Yup. We hated each other at first, then we seemed to work through that and then . . . we seemed to just settle into this . . . static relationship, so yeah, I hear what you're saying. But I also have to say, from what I've witnessed between you and Gabe . . . I don't detect one ounce of static there.”

Chloe laughed and squeezed my arm. “Come on,” she said. “Time to lock up and go home.”

17

T
wo days later I had unlocked the yarn shop at ten and was just taking my first sip of coffee when the door opened and two women walked in.

“Good morning,” I said. “Can I help you with anything in particular?”

“Hi,” the taller one said. “Are you Josie?”

I nodded. “Yes, but I'm not the owner. Eudora and Chloe are the owners, and Dora will be here around noon.”

She waved a hand in the air while the other woman began fingering the yarns on the front display table.

“Oh, well . . . we wanted to meet
you.
I'm Eva. Eva Franklin, and this is my sister, Gloria Tucci. We're Simon's sisters.”

“Oh,” I said, and felt my hand go to my hair as I wished I'd taken a bit more time with my makeup that morning. I walked toward them, extending my hand. “How nice to meet you. Simon said that you were a knitter.”

“Oh, I dabble a bit, but Gloria here is the advanced and addicted knitter.”

“Hi,” the other woman said and shook my hand after she replaced two skeins on the table. “As you can see, I get a little carried away in a yarn shop.”

I laughed. “Is there any other way to be?”

Gloria glanced around and nodded. “This is a lovely shop. I can't believe I've never taken the time to come here.”

“Thanks. We have the carriage house out back too. We keep the luxury yarns in there, so feel free to browse around.”

“Great,” Gloria said. “I love working with cashmere. Simon told us you're going to be his new nurse but that you're helping out in here for a while. We wanted to come and see his new office and thought we'd check out the yarn shop while we're here.”

“Well, that's great,” I said. “How's Simon doing?”

“Busy,” Eva said. “He's really got his hands full at the moment, as you know. Between getting the new practice up and taking Lily around for her college tours. But he's great. He'll be back on the island on Monday.”

“Terrific,” I said, and hoped I didn't sound too excited by that thought.

Both women wandered toward the cubbyholes containing yarn, and I realized that while Eva was tall and slim and Gloria shorter and a bit pudgy, they both resembled Simon, especially around the eyes. Once again I wondered what it would be like to have a sister. I would see Grace and Chloe together and even Sydney and Marin, although they were cousins and not sisters, and a sense of emptiness would come over me. Glancing at Gloria and Eva, I once again felt that childhood ache that I had no family member close to my age. Somehow with just my parents and me forming a threesome, I never seemed to have that sense of
family
that so many other women had. And unfortunately, my daughter was also destined to be an only child.

“Oh, this is gorgeous,” I heard Gloria say. “You have a wonderful selection of baby alpaca.”

“Thank you,” I said, even though I had nothing to do with the stock or the ordering.

“Lily would love this. I think I'll get it for her.” She placed the skeins into the basket she was now carrying. “It's okay if I browse in back?” she asked.

“Certainly. Go right through the screened area out back to the carriage house. It's open, so just walk on in.”

Both women headed out back, and I began opening a new shipment of yarn. I looked up to see Mallory walk in.

“Well, good morning, girlfriend. You're early for a yarn stop.”

“Oh, I know. I found a pattern last night when I was going through a new issue of one of my knitting magazines. Those magazines'
sole
intent is to get you to buy more yarn.”

I laughed. “No! You think?”

“Right. Silly me, huh?”

“So let me see what you've got there. Oh,” I said, and dropped my voice to a whisper. “Simon's sisters are out back in the carriage house.”

“Simon's
sisters?
What're they doing here?”

“One is an avid knitter and he told her I worked here and am going to be his new nurse, so when they drove over to see his office, they stopped in.”

“Aha,” she said.

“What's that supposed to mean?”

Mallory laughed. “Checking out their bro's future romantic interest, I'd say.”

“Don't be silly,” I said, and recalled Chloe saying the same thing to me a few nights before. “Let me see the pattern.”

“It's this,” she said, pointing to a loose, boxy sweater in a luscious shade of coral.

“Gorgeous.” I began reading the instructions. “So you need some Ella Rae yarn, and I think we just happen to have that particular color.”

“Great,” she said, and followed me to the cubbyholes.

“Here ya go.” I pointed to the yarn. “You'll need eight skeins.”

“Thanks. So when are you seeing Simon again?”

“Shh! Geez, we don't need his sisters hearing you, and I have no clue. He said he'd call when he got back here on the island.”

“And when's that?” she asked, filling her arms with the yarn.

“Monday, according to his sister. Here.” I passed her one of the shop baskets.

“Well, as you can see, I couldn't resist your cashmere.”

I turned around to see Gloria with her basket nearly full, and laughed. “Yeah, there's something about cashmere, isn't there? Mallory, this is Gloria and Eva, Si . . . Dr. Mancini's sisters. This is my best friend, Mallory Wilson.”

“Nice to meet you,” they both said.

Mallory nodded toward Gloria's basket. “Same here. I see you're another addicted knitter.”

Gloria laughed. “Ever meet a serious knitter who wasn't?”

“I hear ya,” Mallory said.

“Oh, what have you got there?” Gloria walked over and touched the yarn in Mallory's basket.

I held up the photo in the magazine. “Mallory found this last night and of course had to rush over this morning to purchase the yarn.”

“Oh, that's beautiful,” Eva said. “I love it. Making it for yourself?”

“Yeah. I couldn't resist.”

Gloria passed me her basket. “Well, before I do any more damage here, you can ring me up.”

I went over to the desk and began totaling her purchase. “This is a gorgeous shade of blue in the baby alpaca. You said it was for your niece? Isn't it great that she also knits, and she learned at such a young age?”

Gloria nodded and passed me her credit card. “I know. I have two boys, and they're into sports, not knitting, so yeah, it's nice to have a knitting partner in the family. But what really impresses me is the fact that she's blind. You'd certainly never know it though if you could see some of her finished knitting projects. Lily is quite the inspiration.”

Blind? Simon's daughter is blind?
I fumbled with the credit card twice before I finally managed to swipe it correctly. “Oh, I know,” was all I could say and was grateful when I heard Eva holler to her sister.

“Now, look at this sweater,” she said, pointing to a finished piece hanging on the door of the armoire. “Christmas is coming, sis, so keep that in mind.”

Gloria laughed. “Sure. Well, Josie, it was so nice to meet you after hearing all about you from Simon. I just love your shop, so I'll definitely be back, and who knows; maybe we'll get to see you again over one of the family's big Italian dinners.”

“Thanks,” I said, and watched them both walk out of the shop.

“
What
the hell? Did I hear her right? Simon's daughter is blind? Did you know this? Did he tell you?” Mallory's bewildered expression mirrored exactly what I felt.

I shook my head. “No. He never once mentioned that fact. I had no idea. But you know . . . I can't put my finger on it, but whenever he mentioned her . . . I just had a feeling that something wasn't quite right. But I sure had no idea that she was blind.”

“Gosh, I wonder if she's been blind since birth. But can you imagine? She knits, and knits pretty damn good according to her aunt. That's amazing.”

It
was
amazing. “Geez, I'm beginning to think my mother is so right. She's always said that everybody has a story. We never know what some people have endured. They go along, day to day, living their life, and we just never know what sadness they might have encountered.”

Mallory nodded. “That's for sure. I wonder if it was Gloria who taught her how to knit.”

I recalled what Simon had told me. “No, he said she learned from a teacher at school. I thought that was a bit odd because they don't offer sewing or knitting classes anymore, so I figured the teacher probably taught her after school. But now I'm wondering if maybe she attended a special school for the blind and that's where she learned.”

“Oh, wait a minute.” Mallory held a finger in the air. “There
is
a school for the blind over on the east coast. Near St. Augustine, actually. I just recently read an article about it in some magazine.”

“Hmm. So that could be the reason why he chose to live there even though his ex-wife lives nearby. Maybe he wanted to be close to his daughter and now . . . she's graduated high school, so he doesn't have to stay in that area anymore.”

“Exactly,” Mallory said. “I'd bet anything that's why he's relocating to Cedar Key. You said his daughter will be off to college next year.”

I nodded. “Right,” I said, and realized that much like Ben, I truly didn't know Dr. Simon Mancini at all.