Dyeing Up Loose Ends

by Maggie Sefton

  “How hefty is it?” Eric asked.

  Steve repeated the amount they had discussed.

  Kelly watched both Cassie and Eric lose their smiles and stare wide-eyed at the suggested amount.

  “Whoa . . .” was all Eric said, clearly astonished.

  “Are you guys serious?” Cassie asked. “I don’t earn anything close to that at the café.”

  “Heck, my brother and I don’t earn anything. It’s our home. But Grandpa Curt pays me in the summer in the afternoons when I work at his ranch. Nothing like that, though.”

  “That’s what gave us the idea,” Kelly followed up, seeing their obvious interest. “We figured your families might let you do it because it would really help build your college fund.”

  “That’s for sure,” Cassie said, then she and Eric exchanged glances. “I’ll run the idea past Jennifer and Pete. They wouldn’t have any problem getting another waitress for the summer. Pete has two or three people he calls whenever he needs extra help.”

  “I could work a couple of hours in the morning at the ranch before I drive over here.” He nodded. “It’s doable, for sure. Heck, I think my mom and dad would be grateful. I’d be earning enough to pay my college fees for the year.”

  “Me, too,” Cassie echoed. “Pete and Jennifer would be really happy about that.”

  “Do you think your Grandpa Curt would be upset if you couldn’t work at his ranch in the afternoons?” Marty asked.

  Eric shook his head. “I don’t think so. I could promise Grandpa I’d work all day Saturday and Sunday to make up for it.”

  “Well, you deserve to take some time off, guys. Both of you,” Kelly added. “Working seven days a week can get old pretty fast.”

  Cassie and Eric looked at each other then started laughing.

  “It’s not like we’d be digging ditches,” Eric joked. “We’d be taking care of this crew.”

  “Yeah, Molly and Jack and Tweedledum and Tweedledee,” Cassie teased.

  At that, Kelly had to laugh, picturing the two characters from the classic Alice in Wonderland tale. They were constantly getting into things, too.

  Later that evening

  “I don’t know, guys . . .” Lisa hesitated, a worried expression clouding her face. Her once-pretty features now bordered on looking haggard.

  “This would just be through the summer until the twins get a little older,” Kelly encouraged.

  “Big difference once they turn four,” Marty offered.

  “Lord, yes,” Megan said, glancing skyward.

  “You guys are sweet, but you don’t have to worry. I’m fine, really, I am,” Lisa protested as she sat in her upholstered living room armchair.

  “No, you’re not,” Jennifer spoke up emphatically. “You’re skinny as a rail, as my mother would say, and a really stiff breeze would blow you over.”

  Soft laughter rippled around the group of old friends scattered across Lisa and Greg’s great room.

  “We’re worried about you, Lisa,” Steve offered.

  “I think the kids would enjoy it, too,” Kelly spoke up. “They’re all used to playing with one another, and they love being with Cassie and Eric.”

  Lisa didn’t say anything, but Kelly could tell from her expression that Lisa was considering the suggestion. “I don’t know . . .” Lisa ventured again.

  “Think about it as an educational opportunity,” Megan said. “The twins and Jack are going to learn kindergarten skills early. Molly absolutely loves showing people how to do things. The twins will be learning numbers early, for instance. That’s a plus.”

  “Hey, I like that,” Greg piped up. He leaned over the wide arm of Lisa’s comfy armchair. “Want to give it a try, honey? If the kids don’t like it, we’ll go back to the babysitters.”

  Kelly held her breath, watching her friend mentally grapple with the decision.

  “Okay, we’ll give it a try,” Lisa agreed. “Like Kelly said, the kids know one another, and they know Cassie and Eric.”

  “And I’ve never seen a moment of shyness from either of the twins,” Pete said with a smile. “So it occurs to me you’ve got nothing to worry about.”

  At that, all of the old friends burst into laughter.

  Five

  Kelly shifted her briefcase bag on her shoulder, switched her coffee mug to one hand, then opened the heavy wooden front door to Lambspun knitting shop. She stepped inside the foyer at the front of the shop and looked around the room out of habit. Lambspun’s staff, or “elves,” as Kelly referred to them, had been busy once again. Kelly spotted several new displays of yarn.

  Bright Fourth of July reds, brilliant royal blues, and, for good measure, skeins of crystal snowflake white. All guaranteed to ensure that whatever item would be knitted or crocheted would definitely be patriotic. Kelly fingered some of those summer yarns, noting their lightweight cotton feel.

  Burt walked into the central yarn room and broke into a broad smile when he saw Kelly.

  “Hello, Kelly. Mimi and I were hoping to see you. We want to put in a babysitting request. It’s been a couple of weeks since we’ve seen Jack.”

  Kelly grinned as she walked into the main knitting room. “You two are so sweet. Let me check with Steve. I think he said something about going out to dinner this week.”

  “Great. Remember, we’re grandparents who travel,” he added as he followed Kelly. “We go to the kids instead of the other way around.” Burt set his coffee mug at the end of the long library table and pulled out a chair.

  Kelly set her briefcase bag on the table and settled into a chair a little ways down from Burt. “You and Mimi are great sitters. Jack already thinks of you as grandparents,” she said with a smile.

  “Well, you know how much we love to hear that,” Burt said with a smile. “These children have enriched our lives so much, Kelly. I think you know that.”

  “Yes, I do, and all of us love you for that, too.” She reached over and gave Burt a one-armed hug. “And I think you’ll be pleased to hear that Lisa should start looking a little healthier soon.”

  “That’s good to hear,” Burt said. “I think we were all getting worried about her. Is she remembering to eat three meals a day?”

  “We all think she will pretty soon, because we solved the main problem that was running her ragged. All of us got together on Saturday night like usual and came up with a plan to provide all-day babysitting this summer, Mondays through Fridays. We decided to pool our resources and offer to pay Cassie and Eric to provide summer childcare for all four kids. Jack, Molly, and the twins.”

  Burt’s eyes widened in surprise. “Oh my word! Did Cassie and Eric agree to it?”

  “They sure did. Especially after we told them how much all three couples pay for summer childcare now. Split two ways, that’s a hefty sum, as I put it.” Kelly couldn’t help grinning.

  Burt started to laugh. “I imagine it would be. I’ve heard what my daughter used to pay a few years ago, and I asked Marty what he and Megan paid for summer childcare for Molly. It got my attention for sure. I was amazed how much those prices had increased.”

  “I know Cassie was helping out here in the shop after the café closed, so I hope losing her in the afternoons won’t leave Mimi shorthanded,” Kelly added.

  “I don’t think that will be a problem,” Burt said. “Cassie was sorting magazines and newsletters and doing other chores that Mimi and the rest of the staff just don’t get around to regularly.”

  “Oh, that’s good.”

  “I figure Jennifer and Pete would be grateful Cassie will earn more money during the summer,” Burt added. “But what about Eric’s parents? He was helping them around the ranch, he told me.”

  “Eric told us his folks would be really happy he was earning more money for college during the summer,” Kelly replied. “It reduces the financial burden on them. E
ric has younger sisters and a brother.”

  “Well, all right, then,” Burt said with an authoritative nod. “It sounds like everything is falling into place, and financial good news is some of the best news of all.”

  Kelly raised her empty mug in salute. “As the Lambspun shop accountant, I heartily concur,” she said with a grin.

  * * *

  • • •

  “Hey there,” Jennifer greeted as Kelly walked into the café and approached the counter. “Do you still want hot coffee in that mug, or is it time to switch to iced coffee?”

  “Not yet. It’s still spring weather, and mornings can be chilly,” Kelly replied and handed her large take-out mug to her friend. “Fill her up with the hot stuff, please.”

  “You got it.” Jennifer took the mug and poured a steaming black stream of coffee into it.

  “Eduardo’s Black Gold,” Kelly said, sniffing the rich brew’s aroma as it wafted toward her.

  “Hey, do you have a minute?” Jennifer asked Kelly, handing her the full mug of coffee. “I wanted to tell you something.”

  “Sure thing,” Kelly said and gestured toward the empty tables at the back of the café alcove. “Let’s sit over here out of the way of the working people.” Kelly walked over and sat at an empty table.

  “I learned something yesterday, and I wanted to share it with you,” Jennifer said as she settled into a chair across from Kelly.

  “What was it?”

  Jennifer glanced over her shoulder even though there was no one around that area of the café. “Julie confided that she’s pregnant,” Jennifer said in a quiet voice.

  “Really?” Kelly replied, surprised.

  “Yes, and she wants to marry her boyfriend, Andy. Julie said she’d told you she’d met someone special at the university when she was taking those accounting classes.”

  “Yes, she did. That’s wonderful news. When would they marry?”

  “Well, that’s the tricky part,” Jennifer replied, a worried expression crossing her face. “Julie says Andy wants to marry, too, but his former girlfriend keeps trying to convince him to come back to her. He says she’s very possessive.”

  Kelly pondered for a few seconds. “It sounds like Andy needs to have a serious talk with his former girlfriend.”

  “Julie says Andy did talk to her, and she simply refused to accept the fact that he loved Julie and wanted to marry her.” Jennifer’s worried expression deepened. “Andy even told her that Julie was pregnant with their baby.”

  “That should have ended the discussion and his girlfriend’s resistance.”

  “You would think,” Jennifer said. “Apparently, his girlfriend just scowled at him and asked if he was sure she was pregnant and if he was the father.”

  Kelly frowned. “Boy, that’s a harsh statement. I think this guy Andy is lucky to be rid of that girlfriend. She sounds like one mean girl.”

  “I agree.” Jennifer glanced toward the café grill counter. New cook Larry was setting two plates there. “Looks like some orders are up, so I need to get back to work,” she said as she rose from the chair. “Talk to you later, Kelly.”

  “Later, girl.” Kelly took a deep drink from her mug of coffee then slid her laptop from her briefcase bag. Time for her to get back to work, too. Accounts were calling.

  * * *

  • • •

  Cassie walked into the Lambspun main knitting room and set a small backpack upon the library table. “Hey there, Kelly,” she greeted. “Looks like you’re hard at work on your accounts. As usual.”

  Kelly glanced up with a smile. “You know me too well, Cassie. What are you up to? Getting all your things in order to start the new childcare mission next week?”

  “Absolutely. We both are. Eric’s parents were really happy that he will get the opportunity to earn most of his college tuition and fees by working with the kids this summer, and Eric will still get a lot of his chores done in the mornings. You know Eric.” She gave Kelly a grin.

  Kelly laughed softly. “Yes, I do. Eric’s a hard worker. Just like you are.”

  “Thanks, Kelly. I do my best.” Cassie looked around the main room. “Do you have time to go outside and talk for a few minutes? I wanted to tell you something, but I’d like to do it outside of the shop. A little more privacy outside, if you know what I mean.”

  “I sure do,” Kelly said, intrigued. “Let’s take a break.” With that, Kelly rose from her chair and grabbed her half-full coffee mug. “Do you want something to drink?”

  “Already have it,” Cassie said, lifting the small backpack to reveal a travel mug in the side pocket.

  “All right,” Kelly said as she headed toward the front entry foyer. “One of my favorite outside tables is in the back corner. Great for private conversations as well as accounting work.”

  Kelly pushed open the heavy wooden entry door slowly, just in case a customer might be on the other side. Stepping out onto the sidewalk that bordered the café garden patio, Kelly could feel the early morning temperatures had risen significantly. “Late May, and we’ve got summer weather already.”

  “I love it,” Cassie said. “Summer has always been my favorite season.”

  “Mine, too,” Kelly said as she wound her way through the garden greenery toward the café table that was shaded in the back of the patio. She pulled out a black wrought-iron chair and settled into it. Cassie did the same and sat across from her. Kelly took a deep drink of coffee then smiled at Cassie.

  “Okay, Cassie. What’s happening?”

  Cassie leaned forward and rested her arms on the table. “Eric and I will be juniors in college this year, and we’ve been dating lots of other students, both in high school for two years and in college for the past two years. We still go out with friends on Friday nights. But on other date nights, we’ve discovered that we’d rather go out with each other. Neither one of us has found anyone else that we’re as comfortable with, and we can’t picture ourselves with anyone else. We just ‘fit,’ as Eric says.” She gave Kelly a crooked grin. “Does that make sense to you?”

  Kelly settled back into her chair. “Yes, it does, Cassie,” she said with a reassuring smile and noticed Cassie visibly relax.

  Then Kelly detected the familiar sound of a cell phone’s message beep. Cassie reached into her shorts pocket and scanned her phone screen. “Oh good. Eric is almost here. We wanted to talk to you together. He had to do several hardware store errands for his parents.”

  Julie walked up to their table then. “Hey, you two. Can I get a refill of that coffee or Cassie’s iced tea?”

  “Thanks for reminding me, Julie,” Kelly said with a smile, then drained the rest of her coffee. She handed the empty mug to the smiling waitress. “Now that it’s getting hotter outside, let’s make it iced coffee.”

  “Will do,” Julie said.

  “I’m good, Julie,” Cassie said. “Thanks, anyway.” As Julie walked away, Cassie observed, “She’s a real sweetheart. Kind of like a big sister.”

  “Julie is definitely special. That’s for sure.”

  Eric appeared at the edge of the patio garden. Cassie waved at him. Eric grinned then headed their way. “Hey, you two. You got a choice spot,” he said as he walked up to their table.

  “Pull up a chair, Eric,” Kelly said, pointing to the chair between Cassie and herself. “Cassie said you were doing errands for your parents.”

  Eric settled into the chair and let out a big sigh. “Boy, it feels good to sit down. I’ve been going nonstop ever since I woke up this morning.”

  “I hope your parents are still happy about your decision to earn childcare money instead of working for them this summer.”

  Eric let out a half laugh. “Happy doesn’t describe it. I haven’t seen them look this relaxed in a long time, and my younger brother is looking forward to bossing around our sisters. Or trying t
o boss them around. He’s only a year older than they are, so I’m thinking they’re going to give him a hard time.”

  Kelly chuckled. “Sounds like it’ll be a learning experience for your brother.”

  “Ohhhhhh yeah,” Eric said, his grin spreading.

  “I just finished telling Kelly that you and I have been dating other people for four years now, and we still haven’t found anyone else that we’re as comfortable with. Like we are with each other.”

  Eric turned to Kelly and gazed into her eyes. “That’s exactly right, Kelly. Cassie and I have grown up together with our families so close. We’ve known each other for years. We’ve worked at Grandpa Curt’s ranch together, as well as Jayleen’s ranch. We’ve cleaned out alpaca stalls, rounded up straying alpaca, helped with the cattle at Grandpa Curt’s. We’ve done everything together. So we both know each other pretty darn well.” He glanced toward Cassie then, and they both turned to face Kelly.

  Kelly looked at both of them staring expectantly at her, and she knew where this conversation was going. She’d have to be deaf, dumb, and blind to miss it, as her aunt Helen used to say. She gave both of them a warm smile. “I have a feeling you both want to ask me something.”

  Eric and Cassie looked at each other again. “We want to get married, Kelly,” Cassie announced.

  “And we’d like to do it this summer. Then we can find a married students apartment on campus this fall,” Eric added.

  “Sounds like you’ve both given this a lot of thought already,” Kelly said, observing the serious expressions on the two faces in front of her.

  Both Eric and Cassie nodded at the same time. “Oh, we have,” Eric added.

  “And we’ve made a plan of when we could have the wedding and how we would save up for it, and all that,” Cassie said. Kelly recognized a note of excitement in Cassie’s voice.

  “That doesn’t surprise me at all,” Kelly said. “You both have good heads on your shoulders. You’re not like a lot of college students your age. You’re both working and saving your money for school.”