Unraveling Midnight. Stephanie Beck

one, unopened, if you’re worried,” Lucy said, tucking the green sock Jessie had left on the bench back in her bag. “Not that I think she’s going to drink it. I believe it’s going to be more of a glue for the sand.”

      She looked out at Jessie instead of turning to Scott, expecting him to walk away like so many other parents did. They might visit for a moment, but during the spring when they’d found out she was aunt to kids who were leaving soon, making a connection didn’t make sense for them. And now she was some childless lady sitting in the park with her knitting. Oh well, it was a beautiful day. She’d wanted to be outside for a while and she adored listening to the happy kids.

      “I’m sorry for being rude.”

      She turned and found Scott sitting on the far side of the bench. But not too far. He wasn’t a small man and took a good portion of the space, yet managed not to be too invading.

      “You weren’t rude,” Lucy said and added a smile. “Just a daddy watching out for his daughter and I do understand the stranger issue needs to be reinforced often, especially at Jessie’s age. Are those your sons over there?”

      He turned and a grin came to his face. She’d been watching the boys play and roughhouse.

      “Yep. I’m hoping if they get some energy out we might actually be able to watch a movie or something quiet tonight.”

      He sounded exhausted and Lucy laughed. “That sounds like a nice way to spend the evening. Though, well, good luck.”

      She winced when one of the boys tripped the other and they started tussling again. Scott’s head whipped around and he let out a long, low whistle. The boys immediately perked up and got back to running.

      “Great trick,” she said, impressed. “They must have fantastic hearing.”

      His speed when he turned was a little disconcerting. “Yes, they do. It’s a family thing. So you own the knitting shop? Do you have classes or anything?”

      Surprised by the quick change in subject, Lucy paused a moment to collect her thoughts. “Ah, yes. I host weekly beginner classes as well as more advanced ones.” She grinned, remembering Jessie’s request. “Should I keep an eye out for you in the next few weeks?”

      He laughed a little, but she knew when men thought knitting was ridiculous, and Scott was a long way from scoffing. “Actually, it’s not very often Jessie finds something to light up about. We end up doing a lot of boy stuff and sports, so if she wants to try this, I wouldn’t mind picking up the sticks.”

      “Needles,” she corrected, more automatic than anything, but really she was charmed by his confession and willingness to make his daughter smile. “You know what? If you two come for class, I’ll teach you all the important terms. We probably won’t start with socks, but I think we could have you two knitting scarves by Christmastime.”

      “Lucy? Is that you sitting over there?”

      Lucy shot Scott an apologetic smile before turning to the new voice. “Hi, Mrs. Kimmes. You look nice today.”

      The older woman always looked interesting. Lucy hoped she could pull off ‘interesting’ when she was older. Mrs. Kimmes wore a green skirt, purple knit top and bright pink lipstick. It all did kind of go all together with the mop of white curls on her head. A regular at the shop, the kind woman had gone out of her way to make Lucy’s day often since she’d learned Lucy had lost her grandmother.

      “Thank you, dear.” Mrs. Kimmes stopped her powder pink scooter beside the bench. “And who is this handsome fellow sitting beside you like a giant lump of yummy?”

      Ah, to be so free with words. Luckily, Lucy had known the older woman for three years and Mrs. Kimmes’s mouth no longer surprised her. “This is Scott. We were discussing knitting lessons for him and his daughter.”

      “Both of them, huh?” The older woman’s drawn-on eyebrows rose high. “Well, that’s a newfangled thing. You don’t look like one of those glittery men knitters, so I suppose you’re just being nice. I like that. You won’t find a better teacher than Lucy here. She’s a good one. Why, she even took on an old hooker like me and made a full conversion.”

      Lucy was proud Scott didn’t even wince at the old girl’s announcement. He was a good sport and she supposed with all the kids, off the wall announcements weren’t new.

      “Oh, well I need to go. I’m meeting Wanda Fisher for lunch. Take care, Lucy, and you, young man, I know we’ve just met, but if you’ve got a mind to make eyes at this fine young woman, I suggest you not forget the roses. Too many young men these days go straight for the—”

      “Mrs. Kimmes!”

      The older woman smirked. “Oh, she’s a bit of a prude too, but a nicer woman you’ll never meet. I’m off. You two behave.”

      And like she hadn’t come from nowhere to embarrass the heck out of Lucy, Mrs. Kimmes scooted away. Left once more with Scott, Lucy wasn’t sure if she hoped he would walk away or if she wanted to have a chance to explain at least some of what the crazy woman had said.

      “Hookers, huh?”

      “Yeah, I didn’t think you’d miss that one,” Lucy said and tried not to blush. “She meant she used to only crochet. It’s a kind of yarn work done with a single hook—which leads to those who enjoy crocheting being referred to as—”

      “Hookers.” He grinned. “I bet the old girl likes that. And the other? If I do sign up for class, do I need to bring roses?”

      She’d bet hundreds of women had thrown themselves at him over his smile alone. Jessie hadn’t mentioned a mother and Scott didn’t wear a ring, so she assumed he was single. She couldn’t be sure though.

      “Hmm, no roses necessary for the first class,” she said, indulging in a slightly flirty tone and hoping he would come to class so she could learn more about him. If nothing else, he was interesting to talk with and his daughter was adorable. She’d bet they’d both be pleasant company.

      “I don’t suppose you’ve got a card or something?”

      “I can do you one better,” she said and dug around the pocket of her knitting tote. “Here’s a flyer with the beginners classes listed and you can come whenever. I have all the supplies and the starter kit I put together is really inexpensive, so if it doesn’t click for you two, you won’t be out more than ten dollars and a little time.”

      He accepted the flyer, looked it over and tucked it in his pocket. “I’ll call soon.”

      Across the field, the boys started fighting.

      “Oh, uh oh—”

      “I think it’s time to head home. Thanks again for being kind to Jessie and I’ll be in contact soon.”

      He was up and gone in a flash, his speed shocking, but then, he was a dad and his boys were fighting. Jessie perked up for a second and followed and Lucy wondered if he’d whistled again. The move seemed a bit Von Trapp but it obviously worked. Lucy checked her watch and sighed before tucking her yarn away. Lunch break was over and the yarn shop wasn’t going to run itself, no matter how nice it was outside.

       Chapter 2

      They were sleeping—all three of them. Scott sat at the dining room table and winced when his elbow landed in syrup. It had been Ross and Greg’s turn to clean up after dinner, which usually meant he had to re-clean. If he’d been thinking, he would have grabbed a rag before sitting, but he was tired. Hell, he’d been exhausted for the past six months.

      Ever since he’d been forced to leave the protection of his pack, he’d been on guard. For thirty-five years he’d lived with his packmates always at his back, ready to help, but now he was alone except for his kids.

      It was for the best. His mate had tried to kill Jessie one night. She’d nearly killed the boys too when they interfered. The best they