A Killer Stitch (13 page)

Hilda eyed Kelly over her rimless glasses. “Then you should learn how to knit socks, my dear. They're much quicker.”

Kelly laughed. “Quicker for you, maybe. All those little pointy needles…I don't think so.”

“Nonsense, my dear,” Hilda scoffed. “You're so adventurous in other ways. You must try socks.”

Socks as an adventure. Now, there was a new concept. “I'll make you a deal, Hilda. I'll give socks a try when you learn how to spin. How's that?” Kelly challenged.

Kelly's
new boots sank into the melting snow as she walked through her front yard. Yesterday's snow was fast changing to slush. Turning her face toward the bright sunshine, Kelly had to stop and admire the snow-covered golf course, glistening—and melting at the same time.

Colorado weather. If you didn't like it, wait a minute. It was bound to change. Yesterday's frigid cold had thawed quickly that morning with the return of brilliant blue skies and bright sunshine. Temperatures were already in the forties, and it wasn't even noon yet.

Returning to the slush, Kelly trekked toward the Lambspun front porch, then stamped the mud from her boots. Reaching for the door, she nearly fell backward when Burt burst through the doorway.

“Whoa! Now I know what it feels like,” Kelly exclaimed with a laugh.

“I'm sorry, Kelly,” Burt said, hand outstretched. “Did I hit you?”

“No, no. Softball reflexes saved me. Besides, it serves me right for all the times I've rushed around corners and run into people. Where're you going in such a hurry?”

“Where aren't I going.” Burt corrected with a good-natured smile. “Mimi gave me another list of stuff for Jayleen's party tomorrow.”

“Oh, brother, that reminds me. I've got a bunch of things to buy, too. Including a frozen breakfast entrée.”

“Anything but cooking, right?”

“You bet,” Kelly agreed with a laugh. “Maybe I'll bring a platter of hearty sausage. I can microwave with the best of them.”

“Sounds good to me, Kelly. See you tomorrow,” he said, bounding down the stairs.

Kelly was about to enter the shop when she remembered something. “Hey, Burt, did you hear if a necklace was found on you-know-who?” she called after him, reticent to broadcast her curiosity to whomever might be nearby.

Burt barely slowed his stride as he answered over his shoulder. “I called yesterday, and nothing like that was found, Kelly. Not on the victim or at the scene.” He gave a quick goodbye wave as he jumped into his car.

That was curious, Kelly thought as she entered the shop and headed toward the knitting table. Diane said Derek Cooper never took off the necklace, calling it a “good luck charm.” Why then wasn't it found on his body? she wondered.

Shedding her coat and scarf, Kelly settled into a comfy chair beside the library table and retrieved the completed alpaca scarf. All that remained was to tuck the ends. If she was lucky, she could finish in time to drop the scarf in the mail today.

Kelly dug out her little plastic needle case and set about splitting each yarn tail into four sections, then meticulously weaving each one underneath and through the knitted stitches, concealing them completely. She was nearly finished when her cell phone jangled.

“Kelly, can you do me a huge favor?” Jayleen's excited voice came over the phone.

“Sure, what do you need?”

“Can you and Steve pick up some chocolate candy for the stocking gifts? You know, the loose kind that will rattle around inside.”

Kelly laughed. “My favorite kind. We'll be glad to, Jayleen. By the way, how's Diane doing? You said she'd be helping tomorrow.”

“Lord have mercy, I don't know what I would have done without the girl this week. She's been a lifesaver. Diane took care of all the livestock while I've been runnin' around town like that chicken without its head.” Jayleen exhaled a long sigh.

“Well, that's good to hear,” Kelly said. “I'm glad she's been useful. Sounds like you needed help.”

“Boy, have I ever. Diane pitched right in, too. I mean, not everyone's cut out for ranch work, you know what I mean? But she's a strong girl.”

“Has she, uh…has she been okay?” Kelly probed. “I mean, she hasn't tried to run into town to the bars or anything? I know you don't keep any liquor in your house.”

Jayleen laughed her hearty laugh. “Nary a drop, Kelly, and no, Diane hasn't run off to the bars. Of course, the fact we're miles up a snowy mountain canyon helps, too. It'd be a long cold walk into town at night.”

Kelly exhaled her own sigh of relief. “Thank God, Jayleen. I was half afraid you'd tell me she was climbing the walls at night or something.”

“Well, don't get me wrong, Kelly. It hasn't been easy for Diane. Hell, no. She's been pacing at night and eating sweets. And drinking hot chocolate by the gallon. Matter of fact, you can add that to your list, if you would. She's nearly finished my huge can of chocolate mix,” Jayleen said with a chuckle.

“Oops, I guess I got her hooked on that here at the shop,” Kelly confessed. “It was the only thing I could think of that might calm her down when she was here the other day. I guess it worked.”

“We may need a lot more of it, too,” Jayleen added, her voice changing. “Diane had a call from one of her friends, saying that the police have visited the bar a second time, asking people questions. Diane got real nervous after that. You can understand why.”

“Ohhhh, yeah,” Kelly said, her good mood evaporating. “I hope that doesn't set her off.”

“Well, we've got the party tomorrow, and she'll be plenty busy like the rest of us. Don't worry, Kelly, I'm keeping an eye on her. Gotta go. See ya tomorrow.” She clicked off.

Maybe she should bring a whole tub of chocolate mix, Kelly thought as she returned to tucking the alpaca wool yarn. Both edges of the scarf were finished. Only the dangling yarn tails in the middle remained.

She glanced up at the sound of someone approaching the table and was surprised to see Lucy pulling out a chair on the opposite side of the table.

Lucy gave Kelly a quick smile. “Hi, Kelly,” she said as she retrieved a fluffy mound of yellow yarn from her bag and began to knit.

Delighted to see Lucy actually trying to socialize once again, Kelly had to remind herself to restrain her enthusiasm. “Hey, Lucy, how're you doing?” she said in the gentlest voice she could manage.

“I'm okay,” Lucy said softly, concentrating on the yellow wool.

Kelly decided not to venture another comment and returned to tucking alpaca yarn tails, hoping Lucy would relax in the peaceful setting. Several quiet moments passed, and Kelly sensed her strategy had worked. She glanced at Lucy and noticed her shoulders were no longer hunched, and she actually appeared more relaxed as she knitted silently.

Kelly also noticed something else. Lucy was wearing the gold necklace with her logo on it. A spider on its web. It really was a pretty design, Kelly thought.

Figuring the atmosphere was sufficiently comfortable, Kelly ventured a friendly comment. “That's a beautiful necklace, Lucy. It's your spinning logo, right?”

“Yes, a spider on a web,” Lucy replied softly.

“It's really lovely.”

Lucy reached up to touch the necklace before she returned to her knitting. “Thank you, Kelly. It's my good luck charm.”

Lucy's reply caused a little buzz in the back of Kelly's brain. According to Diane Perkins, that was what Derek Cooper called the necklace. A good luck charm. Maybe this necklace was her way of keeping Derek close to her. Hopefully, the necklace would bring Lucy better luck than it did Derek Cooper.

“How wonderful to see you girls,” Lizzie's voice interrupted as she walked into the room. “It's such a beautiful morning, isn't it? Bright sunshine melting all that snow, simply wonderful.”

Lucy greeted Lizzie with a shy smile. “Hi, Lizzie.”

“How's that baby blanket coming?” Kelly asked, glad to see Lizzie settle beside Lucy at the table. Perhaps it would be better to finish those yarn tails at home, she decided. That way, Lizzie could have some quiet time with Lucy.

“I'm nearly finished,” Lizzie said, holding up the delicate creation.

Lucy reached over and touched the multicolored froth. “That's beautiful, Lizzie. Absolutely beautiful.”

“Why, thank you, dear.” Lizzie beamed. “But I've seen your work as well. You have an exquisite touch, Lucy, if I do say.”

Lucy flushed at Lizzie's praise. “You're being kind.”

“Not at all, my dear,” Lizzie continued.

Kelly decided that was her cue to leave and quickly shoved her scarf into its bag, hastening away from the knitting table with a quick wave and murmured farewell. Pleased with being able to allow Lizzie some quiet time with Lucy, Kelly hoped the motherly knitter would be able to gradually reach through Lucy's defenses. Warmth could work wonders.

Heading toward the café and a coffee refill, Kelly noticed Ellen standing near the loom, staring up at the cones of novelty yarns. Shelf after colorful shelf, jammed with fat cones, in every hue and color combination imaginable.

Kelly sidled up beside her. “Hey, Ellen,” she said in a lowered voice. “Stay away from the knitting table for a few minutes, would you? Lizzie's in there trying to talk with Lucy. I'm hoping some maternal nurturing can penetrate Lucy's shell.”

Ellen turned quickly. “You think that'll work?”

Kelly crossed her fingers and held them up. “It can't hurt. Lizzie is the least threatening person I know. She exudes sweetness and warmth.”

“Boy, I hope so. Something's got to reach Lucy.”

“Do you have time for coffee?”

Ellen checked her watch. “I wish I did, but I'd better get back to work before I lose another hour to yarn lust.”

“What do you do?”

“Medical transcription. Get to work out of my home, too. Like you, with your accounting.”

Kelly laughed. “Working for yourself is a mixed blessing, isn't it? I'm still adjusting.”

“Oh, yeah. Say, how's your friend doing? You know, the one you were drowning in hot chocolate.”

Kelly paused. “Not too good, as a matter of fact.”

“That's too bad.”

Kelly was about to continue on her coffee quest when she remembered something. “Hey, Ellen, I'm curious about that necklace Lucy wears. She says it's her spinning logo. It's really pretty.”

“It sure is. She just started wearing it, too. I guess she must have made one for herself. I remember her showing me the one she made for Derek several months ago,” Ellen said as she wrapped a colorful wool scarf around her neck.

“Do you think she's wearing it in Derek's memory or something?”

Ellen shrugged. “Who knows? See you later, Kelly.” She gave a goodbye wave as she left.

Kelly continued down the hallway toward Eduardo's coffee. The afternoon of holiday season errands lying ahead of her demanded a megadose of caffeine. Venturing into the shopping center on a Saturday afternoon in December wasn't for the fainthearted.

Kelly
filched another piece of crispy bacon as she passed through the sunny Stackhouse kitchen. Enticing aromas of bacon and sausage, hot breads, and cheesy egg casseroles still floated in the air, tempting her.

“I love breakfast,” she said, depositing several empty dishes next to the sink. “We should do this more often.”

“Anytime you want breakfast, Kelly, give me a call,” Mimi said as she loaded the dishwasher. “It's my favorite meal.”

Eyeing the platter of bacon and sausage, Kelly couldn't resist. She snatched one of Megan's yummy biscuits, added a patty of sausage, and took a huge bite as she leaned against the wood-grained counter.

“You eating again?” Lisa asked as she brought another load of dishes to the sink.

“Ummmm,” Kelly hummed in enjoyment. “Don't interrupt me.”

“When you're finished, come on out and help us. Steve and Greg brought the boxes down from the attic. I can't believe how many decorations there are,” Lisa said, disappearing through the doorway again.

“You go with them, Kelly. I don't need any help,” Mimi said, rinsing a juice glass. “Besides, it's fun working in such a beautiful kitchen. So sunny and bright. I swear, I can feel Ruth here.”

“Can't fool me. You're pushing me out so I won't steal any more sausage,” Kelly said as she followed after Lisa.

“I'll make coffee,” Mimi called after her.

Kelly walked through the sprawling high-ceilinged living room, where Curt had put a huge evergreen tree in front of the windows. It looked at least eleven feet tall to Kelly. A big difference from the small townhouse-sized trees she usually bought in the East. Kelly could smell the fresh evergreen scent. Inhaling deeply, she let memories from Christmases past rush in. Aunt Helen. Uncle Jim. Her dad. Wonderful family-filled memories from years ago. Nostalgia tinged with sadness. All of her family was gone now.

“Careful, careful,” Megan's voice came from the adjacent family room.

Steve and Greg were stacking boxes on the floor, on chairs, on tables—wherever Megan directed. Meanwhile, Jennifer and Lisa removed the contents of each box and placed them gently on the dining room table, where Megan was arranging them carefully.

“Oh, my gosh,” Lisa exclaimed, holding up several glass balls and sparkly garlands. “These look handmade. How beautiful.”

Watching her friends admire what was obviously a box filled with Stackhouse family treasures, Kelly smiled. She had a new family now. Everyone here was part of her family. She'd not only created a new life for herself in Colorado, but she'd also created a new family as well. A much bigger family, too. In fact, it seemed to get bigger all the time, she noticed as Jayleen strode through the room.

“Look out, comin' through,” Jayleen warned as she wove a path through the others, Diane Perkins right behind. Both women's arms were filled with bulging grocery bags. “If anyone needs something to do, come see me. Diane and I have nearly fifty stockings to stuff. And that doesn't count toys.”

“I can help with that, Jayleen,” Curt offered from the entryway, as he stomped snow from his boots. “Let me finish clearing the walkway, and I'll lend a hand.”

“That's okay, Curt. We've got a lot of extra hands in here,” Jayleen called out.

“Here are the lights,” Megan said, excitement in her voice. “Oh, wow, look how many there are.”

“I'll handle the lights,” Burt announced. “That was always my job.”

“Be my guest, Burt,” Steve said as he lifted a large grapevine wreath from a box. “Untangling lights isn't my idea of decorating.”

“Ahh, but it's really detective work,” Burt said as he took the twisted strands of lights and sat down on the rug, plopping the huge pile beside him.

“A job requiring higher-order skills, right?” Kelly said, joining her friends.

“Absolutely,” Burt said, loosening knots. “Lots of concentration. I'm good at that.”

“Kelly, help Jennifer and me put up these homemade decorations. Megan's organizing all the ornaments so we'll be ready after we put the lights on the tree. You can grab another box,” Lisa ordered, heading toward the living room, her hands filled with boxes.

“Aye, aye, captain,” Kelly teased as she followed after, box in hand.

“Hey, Burt, these look like outside lights to me,” Greg announced, holding up an amazingly untangled string of lights. “Why don't Steve and I put these up outside? Curt can show us where.”

“Sounds good.” Burt gave the lights a quick once-over before he returned to his untangling.

“Mimi, save us some of Megan's biscuits, would you? We'll be outside for a while,” Steve called as he grabbed his jacket and followed Greg through the front door.

“Will do,” Mimi's voice sang from the kitchen.

“Ohhhh, look at these handmade stockings,” Kelly exclaimed as she opened a box. “Ruth must have made these. Satin and lace and velvet, wow.” She stroked the soft velvet, admiring the various patterns and combinations of colors Ruth had used in her creations. Crimson red satin, emerald velvet, and sapphire blue silk.

“Now those definitely belong over the fireplace,” Jennifer said as she strung sparkly garlands around the old-fashioned fireplace. “Look, I see tiny hooks wedged in the brick.”

Kelly set about hanging the stockings while Lisa and Jennifer arranged yarn angels, beaded candles, nutcrackers, toy soldiers, Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls, and teddy bears. There were even faded and worn paper decorations. The elementary school glue had loosened over the years, but amazingly, the wreaths, Santas, and angels were still intact. Kelly figured they had been made by Ruth and Curt's children years ago and watched Lisa carefully tuck them into safe corners on bookshelves.

“Coffee's ready,” Mimi announced, leaning around the kitchen doorway. “Kelly, I've already poured you a mug.”

Kelly made a beeline for the kitchen, following her nose. Before she'd crossed the living room, however, a mini hurricane blew through the front door.

Curt tumbled into the house, three small children in tow, all squealing loudly with holiday excitement. A tall young man with curly red hair followed after them, joining the noisy cluster as they stamped snow from their boots.

“Now, kids, you've gotta stay out of the kitchen, okay? The ladies are making surprises for the party,” Curt warned, wagging a finger at the giggling children.

“Okay, Grandpa,” the taller girl said with a solemn nod. “Don't worry, I'll look after them.”

Kelly had to smile. The matronly little girl didn't look more than seven years old. “These are all your grandchildren, Curt?”

“So far,” Curt said with a wink. “This is Natalie, Matt, and Joseph. Kids, say hi to the folks before you run off to the family room. I've got your toys out already.” All three children gave quick hellos and waves before scampering from the room. “And stay out of the kitchen,” Curt called after them. “The ladies are busy.”

Jayleen appeared beside Mimi in the kitchen doorway. “I don't know about Mimi and Diane, but it's been a long time since anyone's called me a lady,” she said with a genial laugh. Mimi gave her a playful swat with the kitchen towel.

Curt grinned. “And this is my nephew Martin,” he continued, gesturing to the tall redhead beside him. “He's my sister's boy. Say hi to the nice folks, Marty, while I get the kids settled.” Curt shed his rough suede coat on the way out of the room.

“Hi, nice folks,” Marty said with a good-natured grin as everyone called out greetings. “I brought something for breakfast. Hope I'm not too late.”

“Oh, we've got plenty left, Marty,” Mimi said as she beckoned him into the kitchen.

“Great, I've brought lots of orange juice,” he said, lifting two large bottles from a grocery bag.

Following them into the kitchen, Kelly grabbed her waiting mug of coffee while Mimi introduced Marty to Jayleen and Diane. “And this is Kelly,” Mimi added.

“Glad to meet you,” Kelly said with a friendly wave as Jennifer joined them.

“Hey, Marty, I'm Jennifer, and I've come for that juice.”

“Sure thing,” Marty said, pouring her a glass. “Would you like me to make that a screwdriver? I know Uncle Curt has some vodka around here.”

Jennifer gave a crooked smile. “No, thanks, just straight OJ is fine.”

“Why don't you dig in to those breakfast leftovers?” Jayleen suggested. “We've got plenty, and you look like you're hungry.”

“Hey, I'm always hungry,” Marty said with a grin.

“Well, then, grab a plate and fill up,” Mimi said. “Just make sure to leave a couple of biscuits for the guys outside.”

“Wow, where do I start?” Marty surveyed the breakfast dishes spread out on the counter. “Decisions, decisions.”

Kelly watched him enthusiastically fill his plate. “Do you live in town, Marty?”

He gobbled two slices of bacon before answering. “No, I live in Loveland, not far from my office.” He added three of Megan's biscuits to his plate. “I'm a lawyer.”

Kelly took a sip of Mimi's coffee, grateful that it was stronger than usual. “What type of law, civil or criminal?” she asked, surprised that someone in Curt's family had a career that kept him indoors most of the time. Curt's daughter was in ranching, and his son flew Navy fighter jets. Everyone else Kelly had heard Curt mention was also in ranching or land development.

“A little bit of both, actually…whoa! Are those burritos?” Marty said, pointing toward a baking dish.

“Help yourself,” Mimi invited.

“Smothered in green chili, too. My favorite,” he said, heaping burritos onto his already full plate.

Mimi beamed. “Enjoy. We've got plenty.”

“It's a good thing Megan made three pies,” Jennifer whispered beside Kelly. “It looks like Marty can really put it away.”

Kelly laughed softly as she sipped her coffee and watched Marty pull out a counter stool and dig in.

“Wow,” he said, closing his eyes in obvious enjoyment. “This is delicious.”

Jayleen chuckled. “Now that's what I call a good healthy appetite. You've come to the right place, Marty.”

“Boy, I haven't eaten like this since Aunt Ruthie was still alive,” Marty said, then downed the orange juice Mimi poured for him.

“You know, Marty, back in my old bar-crawling days, those screwdrivers were what we called ‘sissy drinks,'” Jayleen said with a devilish smile.

Diane snickered but kept her eyes on the stocking she was filling with candy. Kelly recognized Jayleen's teasing when she heard it, but wondered how Marty would react. It came quickly. His boyish face spread wide with a grin as he hunched over his almost empty plate.

“I'm not sure, but I think my manhood was just maligned,” he said. “Let me finish this biscuit, then I'll go outside and wrestle a sheep or something.”

“Stay away from my sheep, boy.” Curt's voice sounded from the doorway. “You left the gate open the last time, and they went every which way.”

“Hey, Uncle Curt, give me a break. I was only ten,” Marty said after he devoured his fifth biscuit.

“Twelve, as I recollect.” Curt gave Kelly a wink as he poured himself a mug of coffee.

“I'm never gonna live that down, am I?” Marty grinned as he spun the counter stool around.

Unfortunately, when he did, Marty's hand accidentally knocked over the refilled juice glass, and a rivulet of orange juice spilled across the counter.

“Oops, I'm sorry.” Marty sprang from the stool, grabbing for a nearby napkin—and in the process knocked over the juice pitcher.

Mimi, who stood gazing at the scene in amazement, quickly sprang into action, mopping up orange juice with a dish towel. Kelly and Jennifer joined in the cleanup, grabbing paper towels and wiping the floor. Marty was already down on his hands and knees, wiping along with them.

“Here we go,” Curt muttered to Kelly with an ironic smile as she tossed the soggy towels into the trash. “The boy is a walking accident. Always has been. Whenever he's around, things literally jump off the table.”

Kelly poured herself another mug of coffee. “Good thing you brought extra juice, Marty.”

“Oh, yeah,” Marty said as he grabbed the last two biscuits, then added sausage and bacon as well, placing them on another full plate.

“Hoooweee, boy. That's one healthy appetite you've got there.”

Marty simply grinned as he settled onto the counter stool once again. He was clearly getting his second wind.

Just then, Steve's voice came from the doorway. “Hold it right there, guy,” he commanded, finger pointing right at Marty, who was hovering over his plate, Megan's biscuit halfway to his mouth. “I don't know who you are, but if that's the last biscuit, you and I are gonna have a serious talk outside.”