Free The Knitting Diaries by Debbie Macomber Page A

and pushed aside the exciting sensations that cascaded through her. His touch was thrilling—wonderful—but she couldn’t trust him. He’d taught her painful lessons in the past and she’d be a fool to ignore them.
    “You didn’t need to do that, you know,” she said stiffly.
    He frowned. “What are you talking about?”
    “You kissed me just now because you’re afraid of what I might do.”
    “Might do?”
    “Don’t worry, Tim. I’ll never block your access to Ellen. She’s your daughter and she loves you. But I also know that if it wasn’t for Ellen you wouldn’t have anything to do with me. And I’m fine with that.”
    “Anne Marie, listen—”
    “No, please, I don’t want to hear your excuses. Mel suggested the two of us set up a parenting plan and I think that’s a good idea. You don’t need to flatter me with attention and kisses, Tim. We understand each other without playing games.”
    His frown darkened. “You honestly believe that’s what the kiss was about?”
    She didn’t say anything.
    He waited for a moment, then started the engine. “Your silence is answer enough.”
    He was angry and upset with her. Perhaps it was best this way.
    In fact, she knew it was.

Eight
    April 27
    I saw Mom and Tim kissing this afternoon! They didn’t know I wasn’t really asleep. They kissed real hard and I was hoping maybe they might want to get married for real. April and I could be their wedding planners! But then something happened, only I don’t know what because Mom and Tim both got quiet. I tried to listen, but I couldn’t understand what they were talking about.
    When we got home, Mom said she’s going to knit something for a bride named Courtney, who’s marrying the son of her friend Bethanne. Mom’s going to talk to Lydia, and I want to come along. I want to knit something for a bride, too, except I want Mom to be the bride, just like April and I planned.
    W hen Anne Marie and Ellen returned from Lake Wisdom, there was a message on her home phone, which had been installed Tuesday, and on her cell.
    A message from Mel.
    Anne Marie listened to both with more than a twingeof guilt. While she’d been necking like a teenager with Tim in his car, Mel, the man she was dating, had tried to reach her.
    She waited until Ellen was down for the night before she called him back. “Hi,” she said. She knew it sounded tentative—and guilty. She had to resist the urge to apologize for kissing Tim.
    Mel instantly picked up on her agitation. “Are you okay?” he asked.
    “Yes… So what’s up?”
    “Actually, I phoned for two reasons,” he said.
    “Oh?” She paced the kitchen as she held the phone against her ear.
    “First, to apologize for the other night. I overreacted with Tim.”
    “It’s all right, really,” she rushed to tell him. Even discussing Tim casually was dangerous. “I understand. It was unfortunate, but it’s over and best forgotten.”
    “I guess I’m jealous,” Mel continued, oblivious to everything she’d said. “There were a dozen better ways to handle the situation. I behaved badly. I hope you’ll excuse my little temper tantrum.”
    “Mel, it’s over,” she said again. “Forgotten.” Now, if she could forget Tim’s kisses just as easily.
    “You’re far more forgiving and generous than I deserve.”
    If he didn’t stop soon, she was going to burst into tears and confess that she’d spent the afternoon with Tim and had succumbed to his charms, of which there were many.
    “Secondly, I called to remind you about Friday night.”
    “Friday?” Her memory had gone completely blank—nodoubt understandable in the current situation. She stopped pacing, frowning as she tried to remember.
    “We have tickets to see Jersey Boys. ”
    “Oh, right!” Anne Marie had been ecstatic at the opportunity. Her husband, Robert, had loved the Four Seasons, and she knew many of their songs by heart.
    “You mean you had forgotten?”
    “Oh…momentarily.” Tim had agreed