The Lover’s Knot

taken up an entire New York apartment hardly made a dent in the floor space of one room in this house.

The next day, when Eleanor was released from the hospital, she didn't criticize either the new arrangement or the fact that I'd taken a leave of absence to help her out. I took this as approval.

'A lot of work for one person,' she said as I helped her into bed.

'Marc helped me.'

'He has a good heart, when he wants to use it.'

'That's a little unkind.'

She waved me off. 'How are you getting off work?'

'Sick grandmother. Desperate for my help.'

'Now who's being unkind?'

'What was I supposed to tell my boss?' I protested. 'That I'm running away from a broken heart? One of us had to be needy and pathetic for me to get time off, and it wasn't going to be me.'

She took my hand. 'It isn't you. You're helping me, and I'm glad you're here. What about some dinner? If I know my friends, there are five casseroles and ten pies in that kitchen.'

'At least.'

'First thing you do is tell people to stop bringing food.'

I wasn't about to tell people that, especially since it wasn't likely my grandmother would be cooking anytime soon, and she wouldn't want to eat what I could whip up. I heated two plates of a noodle dish that Susanne had dropped off and arranged them on a tray with glasses of water and dinner rolls.

From his position next to my grandmother, Barney wagged and wagged as I carried the tray into the living room, but he wasn't about to leave her side.

'I didn't think he was allowed on the bed.' Barney had his head on a pillow, stomach up for easy petting.

'You tell him,' she said as she gave his tummy a pat. They were a good couple, Barney and my grandmother. She pretended to be annoyed by his dependence, and he pretended to dislike her rules. All the while they clearly adored each other. If he had been a person, it would have been an enviable match. Truth was, I envied them anyway, despite the difference in their species.

We watched the news while we ate, then Andy Griffith on Nick at Nite. I settled into the bed and felt the tension in my body release as I watched Andy outsmart a big city crook two episodes in a row.

'This is a bit less exciting than you're used to,' Eleanor said.

'That's a good thing. I've had enough excitement.' I told her about the scene between Marc and Ryan.

'Good enough for him,' she said. 'Did he think you would wait forever?'

'It's been less than a week.'

'Long enough.' I had to agree with that idea. 'Ryan didn't think he was making a decision,' she continued. 'He thought he was delaying one. He didn't think about how it might change everything.'

'Because he's selfish,' I suggested.

'I don't think that's it. Scared, maybe. People make most of their worst decisions because they're afraid.'

I sat up. 'I don't know whether I'm supposed to hate him or feel sorry for him.'

She smiled. 'I felt the same way about your grandfather after he died. One too many beers and he wrapped his car around that tree, changing my life, your mother's, even yours, in a way. Of course, your grandfather couldn't have imagined that his decision would have that kind of effect. Just like now, Ryan didn't think that postponing the engagement would send you off with another man.'

I blushed and stammered for a minute until I could figure out what to say. 'Marc's not another man, he's a friend.'

She sighed. 'I don't mean to interfere.'

'You're not. Well, you are.' I smiled. 'But I could use a little wise interference. It could be your way of paying me back for all the help I'm going to give you around the house.'

'And at the shop, if you can. I took a lease on the diner to expand the shop.'

I practically jumped. 'You did what? When?'

'Why are you so surprised? It was your idea.'

'You've been in the hospital.'

'I had access to a phone.' She rolled her eyes, but I could see she enjoyed being one step ahead of me. 'I thought about what you said, and it made sense, so I made a few calls. I had nothing else to do, just sitting there like some sick person.'

I settled back down next to Barney. 'Wow' was all I could get out.

She patted my hand. 'And it worked out perfectly, with you here to help. That will keep you busy.'

I stretched myself out on the bed, wrapping my arm around a sleeping Barney. 'Not too busy. I have a limited amount of energy.' I closed my eyes and was asleep to the sounds of Opie and Aunt Bee talking about their day.

CHAPTER 16

My grandmother's alarm went off at six-thirty in the morning, but I was awake for several minutes before. Barney had woken up and jumped off the bed, stepping over me in the process. My grandmother reached for her crutches and dropped them, saying in a loud whisper, 'Damn,' a word she'd never used before, at least not in my presence.

'Let me help.' I got up and the day began.

I scrambled eggs according to my grandmother's strict instructions, and they weren't just edible-as they were when I made them in New York-they were quite good. I walked Barney, did the dishes, and brought down unfinished quilting projects so my grandmother could do some hand sewing. I made a list of all the needed groceries and errands she wanted me to run. When I got back, she told me, I would need to pack some of her old clothes into boxes for a charity drive.

'One more thing,' she said as I was walking out the door with half a dozen lists. 'Stop at the shop. See if Nancy needs any help.' I was exhausted, and it wasn't even ten o'clock.

When I walked outside I half-expected to see Marc's truck and his ladder to the roof. I found myself a little disappointed when they weren't there. I wondered if he was finished with the roof, which would be a good thing, I told myself, since it looked like rain.

I did most of the errands and managed to grab a cup of coffee at the diner before I walked to Someday Quilts. From the outside it looked quiet, but when I opened the door, I walked straight into a very frazzled Nancy.

'We have to shut down the store,' she said instead of hello.

'What? Why?'

'Ask him.' She pointed to Marc, who was coming up the stairs with a toolbox and a measuring tape. I smiled, a little too happily, I knew, but I was glad to run into him.

'Nancy,' he chided, 'Eleanor wants this wall knocked down as soon as the diner closes tonight. I can't do that with people walking around. There will be dust everywhere, power tools. If you don't care about the customers, think about the fabric.' He was having fun with her, I could see, but Nancy wasn't interested.

'Did she hire you?' I turned to Marc. 'She didn't say anything to me.'

'She called me this morning. She said to get started right away. I think you were out running errands.' Marc shifted a little but stood his ground.

Nancy looked at me. 'I'm sorry,' I said. 'She just told me last night that she leased the shop. And you know my grandmother. Once she makes up her mind, she doesn't like to wait.'

'Look, I'm all for this renovation,' Nancy sighed. 'But this one shows up without any warning when I'm trying to run a store.' Nancy tilted her head toward Marc but looked at me. 'I admire enthusiasm, but you don't want someone going off half-cocked.'

'Hey, I'm here.' Marc leaned toward Nancy. 'I could be at the track with your husband.'

Nancy rolled her eyes. 'You could hardly do more harm there than you're doing here.' She smiled at Marc as though he were a slightly mischievous puppy. 'And before you get smart with me again, young man, remember