Read Online Till Death Do Us Purl by Anne Canadeo - Free Book Online Page A

Main Street toward home, she and Tink walked with Dana to her office, which was in the center of town, not far from the harbor.
    The two friends walked in silence for a while. Main Street was bustling with activity: young mothers pushing strollers, men and women in business dress hustling to their offices. Seniors were out for their daily exercise and window-shopping.
    The sun shone brilliantly and Lucy could hear chirping in the bare branches all around. She sensed spring stirring, the earth waking up after a long winter sleep. It all seemed wrong today, out of synch.
    She turned to Dana and shook her head. “How can everything look so busy and . . . happy today? How can life just go on, after what happened to Jeremy and Rebecca?”
    Dana’s expression was sympathetic. She reached out and touched Lucy’s arm. “I know just what you mean. I feel the same. In a way, it’s a comfort. Life does go on, Lucy. No matter what. Something larger lifts us up and carries us along, if we let it.
    Lucy sighed. She understood what Dana meant. She hadn’t gotten there yet. She needed more time to process this sad news.
    They reached Dana’s building but she seemed in no hurry to rush upstairs. They stood together on the sidewalk and Tink leaned against Lucy’s leg.
    “Do you remember when Jeremy saw Rebecca in her gown last Tuesday night? He laughed when Nora said it was bad luck. But Nora and Rebecca were very upset.”
    “I do remember.” Dana took a key chainfrom her purse. “It’s an eerie coincidence. But I don’t believe in that stuff . . . do you?”
    “No . . . I don’t, either.” Lucy agreed. Though she did have a few quirks in that department. No one was going to catch her walking under a ladder anytime soon. Or crossing paths with felines of a certain hue.
    Dana leaned over and gave her an impulsive hug. “See you soon . . . and call if you want to talk some more, okay?”
    Lucy nodded. The news was so sad and shocking, Lucy had a feeling her entire circle of friends would get some free therapy from Dana this week, especially when they met for their knitting meeting.
    Lucy started back up Main Street, intending to go home. But she found herself stopping at Matt’s office, Harbor Animal Hospital, which was not far from the village green.
    She rarely dropped in unexpectedly. She didn’t like to bother him at work. The office was usually wildly busy with patients of all species, and their owners, trying to get along peacefully in the waiting room. Or Matt was in surgery and completely unavailable.
    But today she had a yearning to see him. Just for a minute. To look into his eyes and connect with his warm, reassuring smile. Just long enough to recharge her battery.
    Surprisingly, when she walked in, the waiting room was relatively quiet. A gray-haired woman waited, a cat carrier balanced on her lap. Tink immediately investigated, sniffing close enough to inspire a low growl from deep within the plastic box.
    Lucy walked up to the receptionist’s window and Tink jumped up, her paws on theedge of the counter.
    After exchanging greetings Phyllis, the secretary, buzzed Matt and gave Tink a biscuit. “He said it’s fine. Just go on back.”
    Matt’s office was the last room on the corridor. Lucy opened the wooden door and walked in. Tink immediately jumped up on the small leather couch, opposite Matt’s desk. She curled up in a ball with her head on her paws.
    “Hey. What’s up?” Matt looked up and smiled that amazing smile of his, the one that flipped all her switches. She tried to smile back, but this time, couldn’t manage it. It felt as if the corners of her mouth had somehow been stapled down.
    “I hope I’m not bothering you . . .”
    “Not at all. I’m pretty bored. It’s just about time for my beautiful-woman break.” He smiled and walked toward her, then rested his hands on her shoulders. “Is everything okay?”
    Lucy shook her head, losing her voice for a moment. “I have some bad news.