by Nancy Warren
Rafe nodded. "That's an excellent idea, Margaret. Meri is an archaeology student. She's finished her studies, and met Lucy through her parents, which is quite true. Lucy needed an assistant in her knitting shop." Once more, a very uncharacteristic grin spread over his face. "Because her last one exploded in a ball of fire." He was just close enough that I could reach his ankle with my foot, and I kicked him. He laughed aloud again.
Margaret rose. “I must go. However, Lucy, I hope you’ve learned the importance of community.” She drilled me with her bright blue gaze. “Samhain is nearly on us. I expect you both at the Samhain celebration, to be followed by supper.”
Mom looked up at that. “May I come, as well?”
Margaret said, “It’s certainly time. And now I must go. Blessed be.”
After Margaret left, Pete said, "That's all very well, but Meri can't go around a knitting shop, looking like that."
We all looked at Meri’s robes and Mom said, "Quick, before your father gets home. You must have something that will fit her?"
I rose and suggested that Meri come with me to my bedroom. We went upstairs and I dug out some old sweatpants and the smallest T-shirt I could find. I said, "We’ll go shopping tomorrow and get you some proper clothes."
When I’d helped her put the clothes on and taken out her elaborate hairstyle and combed her long dark hair so it swung straight around her shoulders, she looked very much like a student.
When we got back into the sitting room, my dad had returned home.
I sat on the sofa, and Meri settled nervously at my side, clearly feeling self-conscious in her new clothes. Nyx jumped onto my lap and curled up. She’d barely left my side since we'd all nearly been destroyed.
Pete leaned over and said to Meri, "You look beautiful." Then he colored and said, "I mean, you'll fit right in, with your hair down and those new clothes."
My dad seemed slightly surprised to find an impromptu party going on, but Mom explained that we were celebrating me hiring a new assistant.
My dad looked puzzled. "But what happened to that lovely older woman? She seemed perfect?"
Mom said, smoothly, "She had an emergency with one of her grandchildren. That's why she couldn't give Lucy any notice. But, fortunately, Pete here, knew Meri. She's an expert in the Middle Kingdom.”
"Are you?" My dad asked, looking much more interested than he ever had when he'd been conversing with Eileen. "No doubt you went to Cairo University. They do an excellent job, there. It's funny you should appear, because Hamish and I were puzzling over something this evening at dinner. Perhaps you can help us. It concerns Intef the Elder.”
“Mom,” I whispered. “Stop him.”
But, she only smiled and shook her head. And, she was right. As Meri and my dad discussed a world she knew so well, she lost her shyness and perhaps regained some of what she’d lost, her history, her family’s story.
After she’d answered his question and a few more, he turned to me. "I have to hand it to you, Lucy. You hired an excellent assistant."
I doubted very much that Meri even knew how to knit. She'd never seen a computer, or lived through an Oxford winter. But, whether he knew it or not, my dad was right. Having a loyal witch as my assistant was going to be a big improvement on a soul-sucking demon.
Rafe said, as though he'd read my mind, "You're right, sir. Loyalty is more important than knowing how to knit." He raised his glass. "I propose a toast to Lucy, and her new assistant."
As everyone raised their glass and repeated the toast, Rafe looked at me, and I knew that Meri wasn't the only one who was pledging me her complete loyalty.
Also by Nancy Warren
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The Vampire Knitting Club
Stitches and Witches, Vampire Knitting Club Book 2
Crochet and Cauldrons, Vampire Knitting Club Book 3
Look for Stockings and Spells, Vampire Knitting Club Book 4 coming soon.
Toni Diamond Mysteries
Toni is a successful saleswoman for Lady Bianca Cosmetics in this series of humorous cozy mysteries. Along with having an eye for beauty and a head for business, Toni's got a nose for trouble and she's never shy about following her instincts, even when they lead to murder.
Frosted Shadow Toni Diamond Mysteries, Book One
Ultimate Concealer Toni Diamond Mysteries, Book Two
Midnight Shimmer Toni Diamond Mysteries, Book Three
A Diamond Choker For Christmas A Toni Diamond Mysteries Novella
Take a Chance series
Meet the Chance family, a cobbled together family of eleven kids who are all grown up and finding their ways in life and love.
Kiss a Girl in the Rain Take a Chance, Book 1
Iris in Bloom Take a Chance, Book 2
Blueprint for a Kiss Take a Chance, Book 3
Every Rose Take a Chance, Book 4
Love to Go Take a Chance, Book 5
Chance Encounter Prequel
The Almost Wives Club
An enchanted wedding dress is a matchmaker in this series of romantic comedies where five runaway brides find out who the best men really are!
The Almost Wives Club: Kate
Second Hand Bride
Bridesmaid for Hire
The Wedding Flight
If the Dress Fits
For a complete list of books, check out Nancy’s website at nancywarren.net
About the Author
Nancy Warren is the USA Today Bestselling author of more than 70 novels. She’s originally from Vancouver, Canada, though she tends to wander and has lived in England, Italy and California at various times. While living in Oxford she dreamed up The Vampire Knitting Club. She’s currently in Bath, UK, where she often pretends she’s Jane Austen. Or at least a character in a Jane Austen novel. Favorite moments include being the answer to a crossword puzzle clue in Canada’s National Post newspaper, being featured on the front page of the New York Times when her book Speed Dating launched Harlequin’s NASCAR series, and being nominated three times for Romance Writers of America’s RITA award. She has an MA in Creative Writing from Bath Spa University. She’s an avid hiker, loves chocolate and most of all, loves to hear from readers! The best way to stay in touch is to sign up for Nancy’s newsletter at www.nancywarren.net.
To learn more about Nancy and her books
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Crochet and Cauldrons, The Vampire Knitting Club Book 3 Copyright © 2018 by Nancy Warren
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ISBN: 978-1-928145-52-3
The Vampire Knitting Club series
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