Ye Olde Yarn Shoppe was sandwiched between the bank and the local school. It was a two-story brick building, and he’d learned in conversation last night that the second story was an apartment that Maegan lived in. She’d laughed and said it was convenient for those mornings when she ran late.
A bell chimed when he walked in. He spotted Maegan helping a customer by a display of needles, so he feigned interest in a table of sale yarns while he waited. Aunt Jenny would love this place. On impulse, he withdrew his phone from his pocket, opened the camera and snapped a few pictures. He attached them in a text message to her and wrotea store in my new town I thought you’d like.
Within seconds, his phone buzzed with a reply.
-I’d be in heaven. And probably a lot of trouble. Lol
-See anything you like?
-All of it. When I come to visit, we must go!
-Absolutely. Name the date and we’ll make it happen.
-Call me this evening. Your Uncle and I were talking last night about taking a trip to the Smokies this spring and stopping to see you on the way.
He spotted the customer leaving and sent his aunt a final text, letting her know he’d call her.
Maegan walked toward him once her customer exited the building. “Sorry for the wait.”
“No problem. I hope you don’t mind, but I sent my aunt pictures of your store. She can’t wait to shop when she comes for a visit.”
“I’ll be glad to have her.” An uncomfortable moment passed between them. Maegan waved a hand in a wide circular motion. “This is the store as you can see. I leave that right corner free for knitting nights and lessons. There’s a small office and stock room in the back, and that’s about it.”
“I know very little about yarn, but when I walked in, the store felt very inviting, which says a lot about how you’ve set up this place.” He rocked on his heels, unsure how to start the actual conversation he’d come for.
“That was my goal. Gran always said fiber arts should bring people together, and that was my goal.”
He spotted chairs in the free corner she’d mentioned. “Should we have a seat?”
“Sure. Can I get you a water or coffee first?”
“Thanks, but I’m good.” He tugged at the collar of his work shirt then followed her to the chairs.
She wore a broomstick skirt that swished when she walked, and a pair of practical navy ballet flats. “How’s your eye?”
“None the worse.” He’d been on the receiving end of good-natured teasing from his co-workers, but admiration and respect shone in their eyes.
“What will happen to Chet?” she asked, referring to the man who’d struck him. Apparently, he was well known in the community for his cantankerous behavior.
“That’s up to the judge. For a first offense, he’ll likely have the choice to attend anger management classes in lieu of jail time.”
She clasped her hands in her lap. “So…”
“My idea.”
“Yeah.”
This conversation shows my stellar communication skills, doesn’t it? Here went nothing. “Neither of us want to be set up, correct?”
“Correct,” she affirmed.
“But we also realize, as much as we love and respect Nancy, we agree that she and her friends aren’t likely to give up until we each find wedded bliss, correct?”
“Unfortunately.”
“Here me out-” He leaned in closer to her. “What if we pretend we hit it off and begindating. If they think we’re seeing each other, then they won’t try finding us other people.”
Her golden eyes flickered and shifted as she gave the idea consideration. “Pretend dating?”
