How to Knit a Love Song by Rachael Herron Page B

drive. I had to take a shower afterward. So much for love. But at least now I back up my work.”
    “And that other one? Oh, I can’t think of his name.”
    Abigail gripped the needles tighter than she needed to. “There wasn’t anyone else.”
    “Yes, there was. That dark-haired guy you told me about, that you met at ABA. Remember? Asked for your number and you actually gave it to him.”
    Abigail yanked one of the circular needles too hard, and a dozen stitches slipped off the needle. “Shit.”
    “What happened?”
    “Nothing.”
    “I know something happened. Tell me.” Janet leaned forward again. “I can send Tony to San Diego in a heartbeat.”
    “I didn’t want to tell you.”
    “Did he hurt you?” Janet bristled like a threatened cat.
    “I didn’t give him the chance.”
    “That’s my girl.”
    Abigail leaned her head back and stared up at the multiple broad-bladed ceiling fans. They all moved at the same relaxed pace, the opposite of what her mind was doing. She wasn’t going to talk about it to anyone. But Janet was different.
    “He was at ABA because his sister wrote some animal book. I thought that was cool, that he was supporting her like that. He called and asked me out, and I met him at his company’s boat at the marina. It was a perfectly romantic first date.”
    Janet nodded.
    “He got weird at the end of the night. Insisted that he see me the next day. But I had plans and told him no. He didn’t like it.”
    “Creepy. Go on.”
    Abigail finally got the last errant stitch back onto the left needle. She didn’t have to look at her work to knit, but she kept her eyes down as she went on.
    “Turns out he followed me home that night. Kinda went downhill from there.”
    “You should have told me.”
    “I was embarrassed.”
    “Did he try anything?”
    “Only once, but I handled it.” Abigail felt strong as she said it, but her voice wobbled at the end, and she was horrified to feel her eyes filling with tears.
    Janet was up and out of her seat before Abigail knew what was happening. Then she was wrapped in Janet’s perfumed arms. “I’m so sorry.”
    Janet kissed Abigail’s forehead. Other restaurant customers watched in interest. “So it’s over?”
    “I’m here, aren’t I?”
    “Did you press charges?”
    “Oh, yeah. He has a warrant out now, and he hasn’t been seen since, not even at his job. They think he fled the state. That and the fact he has no idea where I am make me feel better about it all.”
    Abigail smiled at her. She wouldn’t worry Janet anymore. “I’m safe now. And all that, to say no, I have not found love.”
    “You’ll find it, my darling. Look at me! I’m all wrinkled up and I find it all the time!”
    “Is that what the kids are calling it these days?”
    Janet laughed. “Oh, I’m glad you’re here! Was it hard to leave?”
    “No, you know I hated that apartment. So close to the freeway, so loud. I got rid of everything, put it all up on Craigslist. Had a virtual garage sale. I only brought what I love. Didn’t take up much space, actually. I feel freer than I have in a long time.”
    “I knew Eliza’s old place was out here somewhere, but I never thought that anything would happen like this. How are you doing? Are you overwhelmed? What did she leave you, exactly?”
    “Her cottage. And the land it’s on. And everything in it.”
    “Wow! I knew she loved you, but damn. Is her nephew that gorgeous boy, the tall one who looks like every girl’s fantasy walking?”
    “Do you know him? Cade?”
    “Cade, that’s it. I know of him. A friend of mine dated him last year, until he broke it off.”
    “Really?”
    “She was crushed. I remember hating him and then she pointed him out at a restaurant—he was there with another woman, and they’d been broken up for a month by this point, I thought he was a slice of heaven. Worth a broken heart, that one.”
    “How long did they date?” Abigail felt a keen interest that she decided not