Read Online Yarn to Go by Betty Hechtman - Free Book Online Page A

give up and mentioned that Amanda had been to every retreat Joan had put on. Kris agreed that Edie had a point and raised her glass again. “Also, a toast to our fallen retreat member, Amanda Proctor.”
    With the toasts done, the group spread out and someone knocked over their glass. Kevin appeared with another bottle of wine and began refilling glasses. When he got to me, he stopped.
    “I saw that you went home for a while. Did you have a chance to look for your aunt’s papers?” His voice was friendly but persistent. I had no doubt that he remembered that I had said I didn’t want to deal with it now. I just said no.
    “Oh no, the boys’ story,” Bree said, holding her refilled glass. With her sweatshirt and frizzle of blond hair arranged by the ever-present breeze, she looked like she could be at camp. “I can’t read it after a glass of wine. If I slur a word, they’ll think their mother is a lush.”
    Olivia set down her untouched glass and put her hand on Bree’s arm. “Will you stop, already? They’ll live without the story. Or your husband can read to them.”
    Even in the dim light I could see that the young mother’s face was still tense. “But I have to tell Daniel,” she said, pulling out her cell phone. After the call, she let out a big sigh and picked up her refilled wineglass.
    Scott moved in from the edge of the group, and Bree made room for him. “It’s so dark, no one can see you’re with us,” she said. It was true; just a row back from the fire everyone was shrouded in shadow. Lucinda and I moved closer to the warmth and light. Just when I was enjoying the moment, Kevin St. John stopped next to me. “One of your charges is drunk. You better handle it.”
    When I turned, I saw that Edie was almost next to us, struggling to stay standing. “This wine really got to me,” she said, falling against Lucinda. “I think I’ll go to my room,” she slurred. There was some discussion about letting her go on her own. Olivia had gathered her things and was starting to leave when Edie fell against her. I started to ask Olivia for her help, but she took Edie’s arm on her own.
    “I’ll take her,” Olivia said. “I’m ready to call it a night anyway.”
    The rest of the group hung around and finished their wine and then scattered, leaving Lucinda and me alone by the fire.
    “Well,” she said, setting down her empty glass. “You made it through the first day.”
    “Something has been bothering me since the toasts,” I said. “Somehow it didn’t register until then.” I mentioned how two people connected to the retreats had died. “Isn’t there something about things coming in threes?” I said to Lucinda with an uneasy smile.

6

    MY ALARM WENT OFF EARLY FRIDAY MORNING. I started to shut it off and go back to sleep, thinking it was a regular day and I didn’t have to be anywhere until my night baking time. Then I remembered the retreat and threw back the covers.
    I dressed quickly and went across the street. The clouds were particularly heavy, and the grounds seemed even more untamed than usual. The damp, chilly air made me want to curl up in front of a fireplace and drink hot chocolate.
    I heard the clang of dishes and a low hum of conversation as I approached the dining hall. When I opened the door, I was greeted by the comforting scent of breakfast food—something cooked in butter, a touch of a maple syrup, a hint of the sage in sausage links, along with an overtone of freshly brewed coffee.
    My stomach gurgled in response. How nice to have another hot meal.
    Lucinda waved me over to the same table from the night before. Most of the group had beaten me there.
    How did my friend always manage to look so put together? I’d hastily pulled on a pair of my better jeans and a turtleneck, and topped it with a black fleece jacket. My hair had gotten smushed overnight, so there’d been no choice but to neatly twist it up with a scrunchy.
    We all exchanged greetings as I sat down.