Stitches in Time by Terri Dulong Page A

did salvage the basket for you.”
    I wiped my tears and sniffed as I inspected the laceration on my arm. “Thanks,” I said. But now what? I had no coffee or muffins for the delivery, I was soaking wet, and I wasn’t sure which was bruised more: my arm or my pride.
    â€œYou took a nasty tumble,” he said. “I think you slipped on an oil slick.”
    I looked at his handsome face and nodded. “Probably,” I mumbled.
    â€œHey,” he said. “Aren’t you . . .” He snapped his fingers. “Didn’t we meet last summer? Aren’t you related to Chloe? I think we met at LuLu’s when you were having lunch there.”
    I looked at him more closely. He was right. Chloe had introduced us. He had even given me his business card, telling me if I did decide to relocate to give him a call because he owned a real estate agency.
    â€œYes. You’re Chadwick Price. I remember meeting you.”
    â€œRight. And you’re Isabelle. So I take it you did move here?”
    â€œYeah. About a week ago. I’m staying at Koi House with my daughter till we find our own place.” All of a sudden I recalled the way Chloe had met him the year before and started laughing. “Do you make a habit of rescuing damsels in distress in the rain?”
    He threw his head back, laughing. “Hmm, I do seem to have a knack for that, don’t I? That’s how I met Chloe with her flat tire.”
    I looked at the basket in my lap and let out a sigh. “God, what am I going to do? I ruined my delivery.”
    â€œWhat were you doing with the coffee and muffins?” he asked.
    I explained about my job and working for Yarrow. “And now the yoga studio won’t get their delivery,” I moaned.
    â€œWell, we can fix that. Let me run in and tell them it will only be delayed. I’ll be right back.”
    He jumped out of the car before I could question what his solution was.
    A couple of minutes later, he was back. “Okay,” he said, starting the ignition. “We’re good.”
    â€œWe are?”
    â€œYup. I’m driving you to Biggby Coffee just up Granada. We’re going to get the order there and bring it back. Coffee and some muffins.”
    â€œReally? They said that was okay?”
    â€œThey were fine with the idea and mostly concerned about you. You are okay, aren’t you?”
    All of a sudden, I was feeling decidedly better. “Yes, I’m fine. And thanks so much. This is really nice of you.”
    He pulled into a spot in front of Biggby’s and ran in to get the items. It was then I realized I must look like a drowned rat. Water was still dripping from my hair, my pants were wet and stained, and my top was sticking to my skin.
    Chadwick had been drenched too, but somehow it looked better on him. He was wearing jeans and a polo jersey. He was quite a handsome guy. I wondered why it had not gone beyond a platonic relationship with him and Chloe. With curly dark hair tinged with gray, I thought he was probably eight to ten years older than I was, but the gray in his hair only enhanced his good looks.
    He jumped back into the car a few minutes later holding a coffee container and a bag. “Here,” he said, passing it to me. “Hold this and we’ll have that delivery there in no time.”
    He headed back down Granada and I thanked him again. “Gosh, you really didn’t have to do this, but it’s very nice of you.”
    â€œNot a problem. So do you do these deliveries every day?”
    â€œYeah. Monday through Friday. This was just my first week and I’m really enjoying it. Well, except for this morning.”
    â€œI’m glad I could be there to help. I had a dentist appointment a few doors down from the yoga studio.”
    â€œOh, no! Have I kept you from an appointment?”
    â€œNo, not at all. I was finished and on my way out when I saw you fall. Are you sure your arm is