Read Threading the Needle for Free Online Page B

great. Marriage must agree with you.”
    â€œI highly recommend it,” Evelyn said, looking lovingly at her groom. “You should give it a try, Jake. With Charlie off the market, you must be New Bern’s last bachelor standing. You’ll wear yourself out.”
    â€œIt’s a tough job, Evelyn, but somebody’s gotta do it. As far as marriage, the third time was the charm for me. Can’t see risking a fourth,” Jake said, then deftly changed the subject. “Lee, the water pump you ordered came in.”
    â€œThanks. I’ll pick it up later today.”
    â€œSo, what’s going on here?” Jake asked. “You having a secret meeting of the Chamber of Commerce or something? Between us, we own about half the businesses in New Bern. Speaking of business, how’s yours? Mine’s off.”
    Lee tilted his head and sucked some air in through his teeth. “Could be better. Tessa and I were just talking about that. Seems like no one is buying.”
    Charlie’s grin faded and he nodded understandingly. “Don’t worry too much. I’ve been in the restaurant business longer than you’ve been married. These things go in cycles, you know. Things will rebound.”
    â€œI hope so,” I said. “And soon. If they don’t, I’m not sure my store will be around by our next anniversary.”
    I felt Lee’s eyes on me and turned to see him staring at me, his mouth a thin line.
    Charlie glanced at Lee and said quickly, “Lee, I hear you’re keeping chickens now. Have you got any eggs to sell to the restaurant? Or extra produce . . .”
    â€œEggs? Sure. We’ve got a lot of nice tomatoes and zucchini too. Of course,” Lee said, “this time of year, so does everybody else.”
    â€œYeah.” Charlie laughed. “If you forget to lock your car, you’ll come back and find your front seat filled with squash. What about cucumbers? Onions?”
    â€œI’ve got plenty. Green beans too.”
    â€œGood! Bring some over today, will you? After the lunch crowd thins out.”
    â€œI’ll be there,” Lee promised.
    â€œTessa,” Evelyn said, “Margot said you were thinking about taking her lap quilt class. I hope so. It’s her first time teaching and she’s so excited.”
    â€œI think I’m going to have to bow out,” I said apologetically. “Business is so slow that I’m going to let my part-time girl go. Soon there’ll be no one to run the shop but me. Anyway, it’s probably not a great time for me to take up an expensive hobby. . . .”
    Lee interrupted me. “Don’t be silly. Take the class.”
    I shifted slightly in my chair and lowered my voice so the others wouldn’t hear. “The class is sixty dollars. Plus, I’ll need supplies and fabric. I don’t think it’s a good . . .”
    Ignoring my whispered protests, Lee looked at Evelyn and said, “I can help out at the shop if need be. Don’t worry. You can count her in.”
    I don’t like having people speak for me. Lee knows that. I’d have said something but I didn’t want to have an argument in public—especially on our anniversary. Evelyn and Charlie exchanged an uncomfortable glance.
    â€œWell. Good,” Evelyn said. “Come over when you get a chance and I’ll help you choose your fabric. You’re going to love quilting. It’s a great way to get to know people.”
    We said our good-byes. Charlie and Evelyn left the café hand in hand. Jake went to the bakery counter and bought a coffee and muffin to go. We waved as he left.
    The tension was thick between us. I was still miffed, but for the sake of the day, I decided to let it go.
    â€œWell, that’s some good news, isn’t it? I bet Charlie can buy up a lot of our extra vegetables and eggs.”
    Lee wasn’t listening. “Why did you do that?”
    â€œDo