Stitches in Time by Terri Dulong

had returned from school. She scooped him up in her arms, showering him with kisses.
    â€œSo how was your first day?” I asked.
    â€œReally good,” she said, and I saw the smile on her face. “I made a new friend. Well, I think I made a few new friends, but one in particular I really liked. We just clicked. Her name is Tina and we have all the same classes together. Plus, she’s going to be in the spring musical. She likes to sing and she’s trying out for a solo and she got me to go with her and I signed up for costume and design. We’ll find out on Friday if we got accepted.”
    Just seeing my daughter so happy made me happy. It had been a while since I’d seen her so excited. Especially about anything related to school.
    â€œOh, Haley. That’s super. I have no doubt that you’ll both be accepted. And . . . I just might have some more good news to finish off your day for you.”
    I explained about Maddie and her request for assistance at the florist shop.
    â€œReally? She’d like to have me helping her out? Oh, wow, yes. I’d love to. You know I love flowers, and she’s so creative with her arrangements. It might even give me ideas for some of my designs.”
    I passed her Maddie’s business card. “Well, she said to give her a call.”
    Haley jumped up to go inside and do just that.
    â€œYarrow made a nice fruit salad for you,” I said. “It’s in the fridge, so help yourself.”
    â€œI will,” she called back as she ran into the house with Basil at her heels.

Chapter 8
    B efore I opened my eyes I could hear the rain pelting on the roof and windows. I let out a groan as I realized that making my deliveries this morning might not be quite as pleasant as the previous days with sunshine.
    I headed downstairs to get my coffee and peeked out the front door. Rain was sluicing down from the sky and creating large puddles in the driveway. The perfect day to curl up with knitting, but that would have to wait until later.
    Yarrow was already in the tea shop filling the orders when I walked in.
    â€œNasty day out there,” I said.
    â€œI know. I feel bad that you have to be out driving around in it.”
    I waved a hand in the air. “Not a big deal. I have my umbrella.”
    I set off with windshield wipers on high and listening to a CD of Bruce Springsteen to brighten up the day.
    Choosing to wear sneakers rather than my usual flip-flops had been smart. Huge puddles filled the parking lots, but I managed to complete my first few deliveries with no incident. By the time I pulled up to the yoga studio, the rain had increased even more and I could hear thunder in the distance. That was one thing I noticed about rain in Florida. It didn’t come down in a shower; most of the time it was a deluge.
    I had managed to get out of the car and was juggling my basket of muffins and coffee while trying to adjust my umbrella when my feet shot out from under me, the basket went flying, and I found myself smack down on my butt in a puddle. I must have tried to break my fall with my right arm because it was scraped from the pavement and my wrist was aching.
    As if out of nowhere I heard a male voice say, “Are you okay? Here, let me help you.”
    I saw a hand outstretched and looked up into gorgeous blue eyes that looked vaguely familiar.
    â€œI think . . . I think I’m okay,” I said, reaching for his hand as I stood up. I was engulfed with embarrassment. That’s when I noticed that the coffee and muffins were a total loss. I burst into tears.
    â€œIt’s okay,” the man assured me as he went to retrieve the empty basket and then proceeded to lead me to the passenger side of his car. “Here, get in and dry off a little bit.”
    He slid in beside me as I continued to cry. I couldn’t even do a simple delivery job without screwing up.
    Passing me a box of tissues from the backseat, he said, “I