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

Jeremy Lassiter died last night. There was an explosion and fire in his lab.”
    “That guy who just got married on Saturday to your friend?” Lucy nodded bleakly. “That’s awful. His poor wife. How did you hear about it?”
    “I went to Maggie’s shop this morning, to see some pictures from the wedding. Ironic, right? Dana had heard a news report on TV.”
    He gazed down at her with a sad, sympathetic expression. Then pulled her close in a warm, strong hug. “I’m so sorry, honey. You must feel awful.”
    “I do.” She didn’t want to startcrying, but thought she might. “They were such a sweet couple. So totally crazy about each other. When I saw them together last week they seemed so happy and connected. So . . . in sync. Know what I mean?”
    He stroked her hair and kissed her forehead. “Like me and you, right?”
    She couldn’t tell if he was teasing her or not. If he was, it was in a good way, she decided.
    “Exactly,” she agreed. “An eccentric, reclusive, totally neurotic graphic artist obsessed with knitting and dogs. And an equally weird vet.”
    Matt laughed. “Don’t forget nerdy. Me, I mean,” he said.
    “Didn’t I say nerdy? I meant to.”
    He hugged her again and didn’t say a thing for a while.
    “I’m sorry we can’t get together tonight,” he said, and Lucy remembered Matt had to drive to Boston for some veterinarian association meeting. “Can this nerdy, neurotic guy make you dinner tomorrow?”
    “Hey, who could resist an invitation like that?”
    “Great.” He pulled back a bit and looked down at her. “There’s something I want to talk to you about.” Lucy’s expression must have immediately revealed her alarm. “Nothing bad,” he promised.
    “Okay, if you say so.”
    Lucy didn’t exactly hate surprises. But she sure hated it when people—like boyfriends, for instance—said they needed to have a talk. Then made you wait to find out what it was about.
    But before she could ask any questions, both the phone and the intercom buzzed at once. “Sounds like my break is over.”
    “That’s okay. I have a few other boredmen on my list to visit today.” She tried for a breezy tone and his alarmed expression was pleasing. Though they both knew she was only joking.
    After an encouraging yank on Tink’s leash, the big dog finally hopped off the couch.
    Matt picked up the phone, then covered it with his hand. “I’ll call you tonight. But I’m glad you came here today to talk to me.”
    “I’m glad, too,” Lucy admitted.
    She hadn’t wanted to seem needy—the absolute kiss of death to relationships. She could see now there was no reason to worry. She and Matt really did seem to be in sync in all the ways that counted. That was saying a lot.
    When Lucy got home she sat staring at her computer and forced herself to do deal with some mindless but necessary tasks. It was very hard to concentrate. Her thoughts kept drifting back to Jeremy and Rebecca. Lucy couldn’t begin to imagine what the poor girl was feeling right now.
    At the end of the day, she found an e-mail from Maggie, addressed to their whole group.
     
    Just wanted to check in with everyone. It was hard to keep the shop open today but I managed. A little knitting helped. I’m sure you all feel the same. I’ve decided to visit the Baileys tonight. Rebecca is staying with her mother, and Nora’s brother said he thought a few neighbors would stop by. Anyone interested in joining me? Let me know. Maybe we could ride together.
    —XO, Maggie
    Lucy wrote back right away.
     
    I’ll come with you. Call me and we’ll figure out a good time.
    XO, L.
    Why not visit Rebecca and herfamily? She didn’t have any plans and knew she’d just sit around tonight, feeling bleak about the whole thing. It would even be hard to knit. The shrug that she’d started for herself would remind her too much of the wedding.
    No, it was far better to get out and do something—bring Rebecca and Nora flowers or some food.