Weave of Absence by Carol Ann Martin Page A

information, I felt sick. I’d never felt so sorry to be right.
    She tore the recipe from the pad and handed it to me.
    â€œThank you,” I said. “I appreciate your honesty.”
    â€œNo worries. If there’s anything else I can do for you, drop by anytime. Hope you enjoy the pecan rolls.”
    I nodded to her employee and left. It wasn’t until I was in the car that it occurred to me that if what she’d told me was the truth, the misbehavior was on his part, not hers. So why had she tried to convince me that they weren’t talking? Unless Melinda wasn’t as innocent as she wanted me to believe. I sat in my Jeep for a full minute. When I glanced at the shop, I spotted her staring at me. I turned the key in the ignition. I felt her eyes boring into me until I drove away. I returned to Briar Hollow, feeling like a cat that had been outsmarted by a mouse.
•   •   •
    Winston came bounding over as I walked in. “Yes, I love you too, big boy.” He jumped up, hoping for a treat, no doubt. “No, Winnie. Down.” I disengaged myself and he slunk off, his eyes full of hurt. “Don’t look at me like that. You know you’re not supposed to jump on people.” Feeling guilty, I fished a dog treat from my pocket and held it up for him. He galloped back, snatched it, and we were friends again.
    â€œYou just missed Matthew,” Marnie said from behind her loom. She rose and came to the counter. “He said he’d pick up Winston around five. He had his tool kit with him, said he promised to repair your dining room table?” She gave me a crooked smile. “What exactly have you been doing on that dining room table?”
    â€œDon’t be ridiculous,” I snapped.
    â€œI gave him your apartment key. I hope you don’t mind. He brought it back a few minutes later. He said the table was good as new.”
    â€œGreat. Did Jenny give you a good reading?” I asked, taking off my jacket.
    â€œShe always gives good readings. Not that I always like what she has to say.”
    â€œWhy? What did she say?”
    â€œI bought myself a gorgeous dress in Charlotte last week—my wedding dress.” She smiled shyly as she said this, and then she became serious. “Jenny said that I wouldn’t get to wear my wedding dress.”
    â€œWhat is that supposed to mean? You won’t get married?”
    She looked horrified. “Don’t even say such a thing. I bought my wedding dress one size smaller, and I’m on a diet. I think it means I won’t lose the weight before the wedding.” She shrugged. “Oh, well. I’d better find another dress in the right size.”
    â€œWhat else did Jenny say?”
    She shrugged. “Not much. She said a man closeto me is surrounded by danger. I don’t know who she could be talking about. The only man close to me is Bruce, unless she was talking about my next-door neighbor. That’s it—she must have meant Barney. He has a bad heart.” Just as I’d feared. Jenny had been too vague. Now Marnie was giving the prediction her own spin.
    â€œAnything else?”
    â€œI should watch out for somebody who wishes me harm.”
    â€œUh-oh. I hope his initials aren’t B.D.”
    She looked puzzled for a second, and then guffawed. “You mean Bruce? That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.”
    â€œHow sure are you that you can trust him?” I asked. “It’s not as if you’ve known him for very long.”
    â€œI wouldn’t be marrying the man if I didn’t trust him. Besides, she didn’t tell me the person I shouldn’t trust is a man. The only man she mentioned was the one who is in danger.” Her face clouded over. “Uh-oh. You don’t think it’s Bruce, not Barney, who’s in danger, do you?”
    â€œAre you sure you didn’t misinterpret what she told